New to UBC
Tips on communicating with IRCC
If you’re planning to study in Canada past your study permit’s expiry date, you must extend it before it expires.
It’s recommended that you apply three to four months before your current study permit expires.
Important: Study permits can only be extended in Canada.
Visit our tutorial for step-by-step instructions, a list of required documents, and other important info that will help you complete your application.
If you and your family members’ immigration documents (e.g. study permit, or work permit, visitor record, etc.) expires after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your application to extend your current documents, you will still be considered a temporary resident of Canada until a decision about your application is made. This is known as “maintained status” (formerly ‘implied status’).
It is very important that you submit your application online before 11:59pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not midnight your local time, the day your status expires to have maintained status.
With maintained status, you may continue studying (and working, if eligible), as long as you meet the conditions of your study permit while you remain in Canada.
In the above cases, you may re-enter Canada but cannot resume study and work until your application for renewal is granted.
If your permit expires before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receives your extension application, you will be “out of status”.
You must stop studying and working immediately.
See an International Student Advisor in Global Engagement Office (UNC 227).
Get a new study permit. You have two options, both of which are expensive and will disrupt your studies:
Option one:
See our FAQ on the differences between applying for a study permit from inside or outside of Canada.
Be sure to review our Travelling to Canada Guide before making travel plans.
International Student Advisors are available to help.
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
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