Extend your Study Permit

Important: Your answers on the online eligibility questionnaire determine which documents you must submit. These are standard requirements, but be prepared to provide other documents if requested by IRCC.

• Application Form to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM5709)
  • The title is at the top of the application, and the code is at the bottom-left corner of each page.
  • You must use the most recent version of the form (available at the link above). Out-of-date versions may cause an error when uploading to the application system.
• Confirmation of enrollment (for current students)
  • Letter available on ACORN or from your Registrar’s Office.
    • Should include your:
      • Name,  
      • student number,  
      • enrollment status, and;  
      • expected graduation date.  
  • If this letter does not include U of T’s DLI number, it is O19332746152. Copy this number into your application (unless a different DLI number was indicated on your letter of acceptance).
  • Students returning from a leave of absence should have confirmation of eligibility to re-enrol. 
• Letter of acceptance (for new students)
  • Should include your:
    • Name,  
    • student number,
    • expected start and end dates of program, and;
    • Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number (copy this number into the DLI field on your application form).
  • U of T’s DLI number is O19332746152. Copy this number into your application (unless a different DLI number was indicated on your letter of acceptance).
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) (see the PAL tool near the top of this page to check if you need one)
  • Study permit extension applications made within Canada require a PAL except when the student will remain at their same school and at the same level of study. (see the full list of exemptions here)
    • If you are applying for a study permit so that you can continue studying at U of T and at the same level of study, you must include proof that you qualify for the PAL exemption: attach a letter in which you explain that the extension is to cover an academic program at the same level of study and at the same institution where you’ve been studying with your existing study permit.
    • IFP students who are transitioning into their U of T degree program are continuing at the same level of study and are therefore exempt from the PAL requirement.
    • If you are applying to restore your legal status (within Canada and within 90 days of losing your status), a PAL is required.
  • For all newly-admitted students and students changing institutions or level of study.
    • Undergraduate students: find information about how to get the attestation letter through the University Registrar’s Office.
    • Master’s and PhD degree students: Please accept your offer of and monitor the email address you used when you applied to U of T for information about how to request a PAL.
  • Students who are applying outside Canada for a new study permit so that they can return to their studies in Canada need a PAL.
    • All continuing students (ie. current undergraduate and graduate) that require a PAL can email the Immigration Advising team at isa.cie@utoronto.ca to begin the request process.
  • If you qualify for an exemption, you must include proof of why you are exempt in your application (even if proof is not specifically requested).
• Proof of financial support
  • IRCC expects you to prove access to funds to cover a minimum of one year’s tuition plus at least $20,635 CAD (for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024) for living expenses. Additional funds are required if you are bringing a spouse/partner and/or children. Learn more on our Bring Your Dependants page. 
  • Details about more realistic living costs can be found on the U of T Financial Planning Calculator.  
  • Immigration officers expect you to be able to show access to enough to pay for one year of studies, and to be convinced you will still have access to funds for any further studies. How you prove access to funds depends on where they come from:
    • If funds are in your account, bank statement(s) with your name. Four to six months of bank statements are recommended.  
    • If funds are coming from the University or other institutional source, a letter detailing funding.  
    • If funds are coming from family or other individuals, a letter confirming their willingness to support you and documentation showing they have enough money to do so. This should include bank statements and income statements (or a letter of employment stating position and salary).  
    • If you have already paid tuition, you can provide proof of payment from by accessing your invoice on ACORN.
• Copies from your passport or travel document
  • Including the biographical data page and all pages with visas, stamps or markings (your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your arrival to Canada).  
  • If you’ve got a brand-new passport, you can provide copies from both your new and old passports, but put the new passport first, and mark it as ‘New Passport’ if possible. 
• Passport-style photograph
  • Taken within the last six months following IRCC recommendations, noting that the frame size specifications do not apply for digital photos. 
• $150 CAD processing fee 
  • Applications for restoration of status (submitted within Canada during the 90 days after the existing study permit expired) have an additional $239.75 CAD restoration fee.

You may need other documents, including (but not limited to): 

• Biometrics (digital fingerprints and photographs)
  • Required by most temporary resident applicants (excluding US citizens) unless they have already submitted them to IRCC in the past 10 years.
    • If you have previously given biometrics, but they will expire before you finish your studies, you should plan to give them again. IRCC has a tool to check the status of your biometrics.
  • If you will submit biometrics, you must pay an $85 CAD collection fee.  
  • IRCC provides additional details about requirements and exemptions. 
• Immigration medical exam results
  • Only required if you’ve been in a designated country for at least 6 out of the past 12 months or you intend to work in a field where protection of public health is required.
  • Some in-Canada applicants may be able to avoid completing an immigration medical exam (if otherwise required), due to a temporary public policy.
  • IRCC provides detailed information.
• Co-op letter (if a work placement is a requirement of your program of study);
  • Can be its own letter or included in letter of acceptance for new students. 
  • Co-op letters are issued by representatives of the program that requires you to complete a work placement.
• Letter of explanation providing more details about your situation
  • For example, if there was a gap in your previous studies (not including scheduled breaks), or you are restoring your status, you should provide an explanation about the reasons for the gap, whether you remained in Canada during the gap, and what you were doing if you did remain here during the gap. Failing to explain about gaps can lead to refusal of the study permit extension.
  • This, and other additional documents can be uploaded in the “Client Information” field of the Optional Documents section.