Study permit extension

1. Apply for a confirmation of enrolment letter

You will need a recent confirmation of enrolment letter from the Registrar's Office as a supporting document for your study permit extension application. Download and complete the form through your MyAdmin account and email it to the Registrar's Office.

Confirmation of enrolment letter processing time: 5 business days

Note: If you are applying for a co-op work permit along with the study permit extension, you will also need a co-op letter from the Student Engagement office.

To request an internship/co-op letter for your work permit application, please complete and submit the online application form.

Internship/co-op letter processing time: 5 business days

2. Sign in to your IRCC secure account

 Sign in to your IRCC secure account or use the same account which you had used to apply for your initial study permit. Below are the options

• Option 1: Sign-in to GCkey 
• Option 2: Sign-in with your online Canadian banking information
• Option 3: Create a new GCkey. If you cannot remember your previous account username and password
• Review IRCC's frequently asked questions about sign-in

Having trouble signing in? The IRCC technical help page provides more info to troubleshoot your problem.

3. Start an application

 Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will find the information under Start an application.

Click Apply to come to Canada. 

4. Personal checklist

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will find the information under I do not have a personal reference code.

Click on Visitor visa, study and/or work permit.

5. Complete the questionnaire to generate a personalized document checklist

Find out if you're eligible to apply

If you are applying for the study permit extension online, you will answer a few questions before IRCC provides you the option to continue with your STUDY PERMIT (IN CANADA) application. The eligibility requirements, document checklists and applications for immigration programs vary, depending on personal circumstances. You can always modify your answers before submitting your application.

When you complete the questionnaire, click on the question mark sign by each question for more information

Frequently asked questions

• What would you like to do in Canada? – Study
• How long are you planning to stay in Canada? – Temporarily more than 6 months, if your whole program of study is more than 6 months
• What is your current immigration status in Canada? – Student
• Your Result - Continue with Study Permit (in Canada)
• Do you also want to apply for a work permit? – Yes: If you are applying for co-op permit. No: If you are not applying for co-op permit
• When does your status in Canada expire? – Study Permit expiry date
• Do you want to submit an application for a family member? – Yes, extend the stay of your family member who is in Canada. No – if not applying for anyone else

Note: If you would like to modify your answer before submitting an application

6. Application form and document checklist

IRCC will give you 60 days to upload and submit the application. Individual document checklists vary, depending on personal circumstances.

Download the Application Form (IMM5709).

• Troubleshoot: How do I download and open a PDF form from IRCC’s website?

Supporting Documents:

• Co-op Letter: Upload the co-op letter (only for the students who are applying for the study permit and co-op work permit together).
• Letter of Acceptance: Upload the Confirmation of Enrolment Letter.
• Passport: Valid passport with the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and any pages with stamps, visas or markings along with study permit. Read the note below before you upload the document in this section.
• Proof of Means of Financial Support: IRCC Guidebook: Read proof of financial support section. Read the note below before you upload the document in this section.
• Digital Photograph: Please visit IRCC page to know more about the photograph specifications

Note: For each supporting document, combine all the pages into one file before you upload the document on IRCC page. The maximum file size is 2 MB. If your file is bigger than 2 MB, you need to reduce the size to upload your document.

Optional Documents:

• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada (IMM 5257): Required as additional information if you answered "yes" to background information questions 3, 4, 5, or 6 on IMM5709.
• Client Information:  Use this space if you would like to provide additional documents or a supporting letter.

7. How to complete the application form? - IMM5709

Effective January 30, 2024, a new version of the study permit extension application form (IMM5709) is available. If you apply through the IRCC secure account on or after this date, you must use the new version of the form. IRCC will not accept the old version of the form. Go to IRCC secure account.

If you are applying online, do not print the application form to fill the information or to sign it. IRCC Guidebook and FAQ on how to complete the form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• UCI: UCI stands for “unique client identifier”, and is also known as “Client ID.” It is the 8 or 10 digit number that is found on your study permit in the following format: xx-xxxx-xxxx
• Applying for the following: An initial study permit or extension of a study permit

*Note: If you need to restore your status after your study permit has expired - Select restoration of temporary resident status as a student, and An initial study permit or extension of a study permit

Personal Details: Status: Student | From: date of your original study permit | To: date should be the expiry date of your current study permit

National Identity Document: Yes: If you have National Identify Document from your home country and provide more information | No: If you don’t have the document

Contact Information: Current Mailing Address: You need to provide the Canadian address so that IRCC will mail you the new study permit

Coming into Canada:

• The original date of entry is usually the same as your initial study permit was issued
• Most recent entry to Canada can be varied from the original date if you left Canada and returned after your original date. You can confirm the date from the stamps on your passport
• The place of original/most recent entry to Canada is the city where you went through the Canadian Customs and Immigration
• Original Purpose: Study
• Document Number - A document number appears on official immigration documents, e.g. study permits. It is usually printed in black ink as a letter (an "F" for study permits) followed by 9 numbers

Details of Intended Study in Canada:

• Designated Learning Institute #: O19330635812 (It starts with the letter “O” and not zero)
• Duration of expected study? - From: The date you submit your application | To: The last date on your Letter of Enrolment plus three months more, so you have enough time to apply for the post-graduation work permit
• Tuition: The balance amount you need to pay to the university
• Funds available for my stay: We advise you to show CAD $10k. Check proof of funds document checklist
• In addition to a study permit: If you need a co-op/Internship work permit, select ‘CO-OP WORK PERMIT”

Education: If you are a current Royal Roads University student, please add your program start date, end date, level of study and more

Employment (Your “Current Activity/Occupation” should be as follows):

• The dates of your Current Activity/Occupation should be a student “from” the beginning of your studies at Royal Roads University “to” the current date.
• Don’t forget to include any activity or occupations in the last 10 years under “Previous Activity/Occupation” 

Background Information: You need to be honest in completing the application form. Write a letter of explanation to provide additional information

How do I sign the form if applying online? If you’re applying online, you should upload the form without signing it. After uploading all your documents, you will later be asked to sign your application by typing your name

Validate: After completing your application, click on the "Validate" button at the top or bottom of the form. This will generate a barcode page at the end of the application. Every time you edit the application form, you need to validate it before you save and upload it

8. Talk to Royal Roads RISIA

Our regulated international student immigration advisors can help you with:

• study permits
• co-op/internship work permits
• post-graduation work permits
• temporary resident visas and electronic travel authorizations
• permits and visas for a student’s spouse and/or dependents

Advisors can't complete applications or represent students to IRCC.

If you have questions about your study permit extension application, book an appointment with an immigration advisor. The advisor will advise you on IRCC questions, documentation, or to avoid common errors before submitting your application.

Remember, immigration is your responsibility, but immigration advisors are here to help.

Book your appointment online: http://libcal.royalroads.ca/appointments/

9. Submit the application and pay the fees

Once you upload the application form and supporting documents, the Continue button will appear. Click Continue to pay your fees and submit the application. 

After you have electronically signed your application, you will be asked to pay your fees. Your fees must be made with a credit card. You will be required to provide credit card information to complete your payment. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and certain prepaid credit cards.

Once you have paid your fee, you will receive a payment confirmation page.  When your payment has completed processing  you will receive a message with your confirmation number and a link to your payment receipt.  You should print this page for your records.

10. Receive a confirmation message and stay in contact with IRCC

After you have paid the fees, a confirmation message will be sent to your IRCC account.

Check your application status through this IRCC page.

Use the IRCC webform: to update  your contact information or provide updated documents after submitting the application.

Please ensure your email address is checked regularly. Any emails sent to you by CIC will end in “@cic.gc.ca”, or “@canada.ca”, or “@international.gc.ca”.

Please add these to your “safe senders” list in your email program and check the junk mail folder in case important emails get filtered.

f IRCC is advised that the email address you provided is not functional or no longer exists, IRCC will communicate with you by mail.

If you include an email address in your application, check it regularly for messages about your case. Some spam filters block these emails. If you aren’t sure you’re getting IRCC emails, check your account on a regular basis.3

11. After your study permit extension is approved

IRCC will mail the new study permit to your current mailing address.

Save a digital copy of your new study permit.

Make sure you update your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and MSP.

You may need to apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

12. If the application exceeds normal processing times or to report important changes

If you have an application in progress you can check the status of your application online, and make sure your contact information and your application details are up to date on your IRCC account. You can also use the IRCC web form to contact IRCC to check the status of your application or to inform IRCC of changes in your application or if the application has exceeded normal processing times

Review the following resources:

• IRCC processing times
• IRCC web form
• IRCC guide to check the status of your application online