What happens if my study permit expires while I am still in Canada?
If your study permit expires while you are in Canada and you did not apply to renew it before it lapsed, you are considered out of status under federal immigration law. Being out of status is a serious problem. You cannot legally study, you lose any work authorization tied to your permit, and your ability to apply for future programs — including a Post-Graduation Work Permit — may be affected.
In some circumstances, IRCC allows you to apply to "restore" your status within 90 days of losing it. Restoration is not guaranteed, and you must meet specific conditions. You cannot restore status after 90 days have passed.
If you are out of status for a significant period, you may need to leave Canada and apply for a new permit from outside. The longer you wait to address an expired permit, the more limited your options become. If your permit has expired or is about to, speak with an immigration lawyer immediately.
Key takeaways
- An expired study permit means you are out of status under federal law
- You may be able to restore status within 90 days — act quickly
- Out-of-status periods can affect PGWP and permanent residence eligibility
- Speak to a lawyer immediately if your permit has expired or will expire soon