Extend your Study Permit

It is a good idea to apply far enough in advance that your application will be processed before your current permit expires. Usually, applying 2-3 months in advance is enough. If processing times are longer or you will need to travel in the near future, you can apply earlier with a letter of explanation and supporting documentation.

If your application is submitted, but not processed, before your current permit expires, you can remain in Canada under maintained status. 

Check the estimated in-Canada study permit extension processing times. 

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 to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM5709)
  • Look for the title at the top of the application, or the code at the bottom-left corner of each page.  
• 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.  
  • 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, and;  
    • expected start and end dates of program.
• Proof of financial support
  • IRCC expects you to prove access to funds to cover a minimum of one year’s tuition plus $10,000 CAD 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 

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 required, an $85 CAD collection fee must be paid.  
  • IRCC provides additional details about requirements and exemptions. 
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-Canada applicants are currently exempt from the biometric requirement.
• 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.
  • 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.
  • This, and other additional documents can be uploaded in the “Client Information” field of the Optional Documents section.

Online application.

If you are not an American citizen and have not provided biometrics as part of a Canadian immigration application in the past 10 years, you will be required to do so. Your answers in the online eligibility questionnaire should make clear that you have not done so. As a result, you will be required to pay an $85CAD biometric collection fee. After applying you will be sent a Biometric Instruction Letter that will guide you through booking a biometric collection appointment.

Immigration officers may ask you for additional documentation to make a decision about your application. If you need to notify IRCC about a change, or ask about the status of your application, you can use their web form.

IRCC will notify you through your IRCC account that the application was approved. The study permit will be mailed to the Canadian mailing address provided in the application. This process could take as long as 6 weeks.

A successful in-Canada permit application will not result in a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) (required by citizens of some countries to be able to enter Canada) being issued. That means you’ll need to make a separate application if you want to request one. This should only be done after the study permit is approved. Find more information about Entry Visas/TRVs & eTAs. 

After receiving your new permit, you can use it to apply for/extend your Social Insurance Number (SIN) through Service Canada.