Canada offers a welcoming environment for international students, visitors, and workers, but navigating the rules for extending your stay can be complex. Whether you are a student needing more time to complete your studies, a worker wishing to continue your employment, or someone who wants to extend their visit, this guide will help you understand the process and requirements.
Extending Your Study Permit
Validity of Your Study Permit
A study permit is typically valid for the duration of your study program plus an additional 90 days. These 90 days allow you to either prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.
The amount of time you can stay after completing your studies depends on:
Prerequisite courses: If your school requires you to take courses before acceptance into the main program, your study permit will cover the length of those courses plus one year. Upon acceptance into the main program, you must apply to extend your stay.
Expiration before program completion: If your study permit expires before you finish your studies, you must apply for an extension to avoid having to stop your studies and leave Canada.
Early completion: If you finish your studies before your study permit expires, the permit will be valid for only 90 days after you complete your program, regardless of the date printed on the permit.
Important Steps to Take:
If you need more time to complete your studies, apply for an extension before your current permit expires.
Provide proof of your completion date through a completion letter, transcript, degree, or diploma. If proof is lacking, the earliest issue date on the document will be used.
Extending Your Stay as a Visitor
A visitor record is necessary if you want to:
Extend your stay in Canada as a visitor.
Change your status from a study or work permit holder to a visitor.
It doesn't matter if you entered Canada using a visitor visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA), or another document; you need a visitor record to extend your stay.
When to Apply:
Apply at least 30 days before your current status expires, based on the stamp in your passport, your study permit, work permit, or existing visitor record.
The expiry date is either the stamped date in your passport or six months from the day you entered Canada if there is no stamp.
Leaving and Returning to Canada:
A visitor record lets you stay longer but does not guarantee re-entry into Canada. For re-entry, you need a valid entry document like a visitor visa or an eTA.
Work Permit Extension
Postgraduate work permit: Post-graduation work permits (PGWP) are a one-time opportunity for international students who have graduated from a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution. If you had to renew your passport, you can extend your PGWP with your new passport only if you were eligible for a PGWP initially but did not receive the full duration because your passport was set to expire.
Spousal open work permit: A Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) is linked to the permit of your spouse, the 'lead applicant,' and remains valid only as long as their permit does. If your SOWP expires, you must reapply based on the status of your spouse’s permit. Note that an SOWP is available only to spouses of master's and PhD students (and some select program)
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Certain applicants may be eligible for a BOWP which allows individuals to keep working in Canada while awaiting their permanent residency application results. This permit bridges the gap between the expiration of a current work permit and the final decision on a permanent residency application, ensuring uninterrupted employment.
LMIA Work Permit Extention: To extend an LMIA work permit, foreign workers and their Canadian employers must start the process at least 30 days before the current permit expires. Workers can continue under their existing permit's conditions while waiting for the new permit but cannot begin new work until it is issued. The employer must reapply for a new LMIA through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC, proving the job is still valid, terms haven't significantly changed, and efforts were made to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Common Reasons for Visa Extension Refusal
Non-compliance with previous visa conditions
Late application
Insufficient justification for the extension request
Ineligibility to reapply
Incorrect application submission
Key Points to Remember
Always apply for extensions at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
Keep track of the validity of your permits and ensure all necessary documents are renewed on time.
Understand the specific requirements for maintaining your status in Canada, whether you are a student, worker, or visitor.
How Can We Help
Whether you need a visiting visa, study permit, or work permit extension, we offer comprehensive support to ensure your application is processed smoothly and efficiently. Contact us or Book a consultation with one of our licensed immigration professionals today to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Canadian immigration goals.