Study permit extension guide

1. Apply for a confirmation of enrolment letter and transcript

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

Always use the IRCC secure account when applying to extend your study permit. Do not use the IRCC portal for the extension process. Even if you initially applied for your study permit using a different account, you must use the secure account for your extension application.

Having trouble signing in? The IRCC technical help page provides more info on how 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
• Do you have a provincial attestation letter or meet an exception from submitting a provincial attestation letter? - Yes, I have a provincial attestation letter, or no, I am exempt. Info on those who need one and those who are exempt can be found here.
• 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).
• Confirmation of Enrolment Letter + Photocopies of Transcripts (for RRU current students)
• Letter of Acceptance and Transcripts (For RRU students admitted to a new program or students coming from another DLI): If you have studied at any other education institution while in Canada, you must include proof of academic standing letter from the institution's Registrar's Office and photocopies of transcripts from your last two periods of study, if you have studied for two consecutive periods (trimesters, semester etc.) before your application for renewal of your study permit. Please note that you must also submit a letter of acceptance if you will be continuing your studies at a new institution.
• 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 a study permit. If you recently renewed your passport, ensure to include both the new and old passport (upload new passport first).
• Proof of Means of Financial Support: IRCC Guidebook: Read proof of financial support section.
• Digital Photograph: Please visit IRCC page to know more about the photograph specifications
• Letter of Explanation: a letter explaining why you are requesting an extension.
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Unless you are exempt

Note: For each supporting document, combine all the pages into one file before you upload the document to the IRCC page. The maximum file size is 4 MB. If your file is bigger than 4 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 only 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

 You must apply through the IRCC secure account and use the newest 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 in 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

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 the date your initial study permit was issued
• Most recent entry to Canada can vary from the original date if you leave Canada and return 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 90 days or 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 one year of living costs, CAD $20,635 for a single person, and one year of tuition fees. 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 when completing the application form. Please note, students in Canada must answer 'yes' to question 2c) since you applied for a study permit and provide an explanation for all applications you have applied for to enter or remain in Canada.  

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:

• Coming to RRU from another DLI
• Switching programs of study at RRU
• Study permit extension for current program of study
• Planning to travel while study permit extension is in process
• Family member application extensions
• Bridging period between end of studies and applying for PGWP
• Expired study permit
• Changes to study plan (i.e. extending program end date)

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

It is a good idea to take screenshots while submitting your application in case any issues arise afterward. Store them in a secure location where you can easily access them.

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. IRCC accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, China Union Pay) or a Visa Debit or Debit MasterCard. Payment methods are subject to change, please refer to IRCC website.

Please follow IRCC's instructions regarding the payment. Ensure to keep a copy of your payment receipt. 

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.

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.

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

13. Other Considerations (maintained status, travelling outside Canada, travel documents)

Maintained Status: If you apply for a study permit extension before your current permit expires, you may remain in Canada and continue studying under the same conditions as your current permit while your application is being processed. This is known as maintained status and only applies as long as you remain in Canada.

We strongly recommend applying for a study permit extension at least eight months before your current permit expires. Applying early helps ensure you maintain your status in Canada and can continue studying and working without interruption. If you submit your extension on the day your study permit expires, your application must be submitted before midnight Coordinated Universal Time, not midnight in your local time zone.

What Happens If You Don’t Apply Before Your Permit Expires?

If your study permit expires before you submit your extension application:

• You must stop studying and working immediately.
• You may be eligible to apply for restoration of status, but only if:
  • You apply within 90 days of your permit’s expiry date, and
  • You remain in Canada during this time.

While your restoration application is being processed, you may stay in Canada, but you cannot study or work until your status has been restored and you receive a new valid study permit.

Travelling Outside of Canada: We do not recommend travelling during this time. However, if you do decide to travel outside of Canada during the processing time, one of three things may happen upon your return:

• Visitor Status: If IRCC hasn't made a decision, you may be allowed to return as a visitor, but you cannot study until your new permit is issued. This may have a negative impact on your studies in Canada and post-graduation work permit eligibility.
• Student Status: If IRCC approves your study permit while you are away, the Border Officer may allow you to return as a student.
• You may not be able to re-enter Canada: The officer at the port of entry always has the final discretion.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) & Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

• TRV: Renewing your study permit does not affect your TRV. Your responsibility is to ensure your multiple-entry TRV is valid at the time you re-enter Canada. To get a new TRV while in Canada, apply online through your IRCC secure account. For details, refer to the "Visitor visas for workers and students: How to apply from inside Canada" guide.
• eTA: Generally, eTA is valid for five years or until the expiration date of a passport. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a renewal of your eTA. Note that the eTA is only valid for air travel to Canada. For more details, visit the Electronic Travel Authorization page.