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Extension & Renewal
Restore Your Status in Canada
Regain your legal status within 90 days of expiry. Act quickly to restore your visitor, student, or worker status in Canada.
Processing Time
10 months (300 days) - You must wait in Canada during processing without work/study authorization
Government Fee
$450-$505 CAD ($350 restoration + $100 visitor/$150 study/$155 work permit fee)
Biometrics Fee
$85 CAD (if required)
Total Cost
$535-$590 CAD (if biometrics required)
Extension Overview
About Status Restoration
Status restoration allows foreign nationals who have lost their temporary resident status in Canada to regain legal status within 90 days of their status expiry. If your visitor status, study permit, or work permit expired before you applied for an extension, you're out of status and must either leave Canada immediately or apply for restoration.
You have exactly 90 days from the date your status expired to apply for restoration. During this 90-day period, you do not have legal status in Canada - you cannot study, work, or legally remain in Canada, but you can apply to fix the situation. If you apply for restoration within this window, you may be allowed to remain in Canada while IRCC processes your application.
Restoration requires paying both the regular extension fee and an additional $350 restoration fee. The application process is similar to a regular extension but requires additional documentation explaining why your status lapsed. It's crucial to understand that restoration is not guaranteed - IRCC will assess whether you meet all requirements and whether there were reasonable circumstances for your status lapse. Acting quickly and providing thorough documentation is essential for success.
Important Deadlines
- You MUST submit your restoration application within 90 days of your status expiry - this is a hard deadline
- Provide biometrics within 30 days if you receive an instruction letter
- After 90 days from status expiry, restoration is no longer possible and you must leave Canada
- Respond to any IRCC document requests immediately to avoid refusal
- If restoration is refused, you must leave Canada immediately to avoid deportation
Free Extension Assessment
Not sure if you qualify for an extension? Our RCIC-licensed consultants will review your situation and guide you through the process.
Book Free ConsultationCheck Processing TimesOriginal Application InfoRCIC License: R515110
Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet these requirements to qualify for Status Restoration.
Your temporary resident status (visitor, student, or worker) expired within the last 90 days
You had valid temporary resident status immediately before it expired
You continue to meet the initial requirements for that status type
You did not work or study without authorization after your status expired
You have not been asked to leave Canada by IRCC or CBSA
You can demonstrate reasonable circumstances for why your status lapsed
Documentation
Required Documents
Gather these documents before starting your extension application.
Valid passport that extends beyond the intended restoration period
Copy of expired temporary resident document (visitor record, study permit, or work permit)
Detailed letter of explanation outlining why your status expired and why restoration should be granted
All documents required for the specific status you're restoring (study permit, work permit, or visitor)
Proof of maintained ties to Canada and reason for staying
Evidence that you meet financial requirements for your intended stay
Proof you did not work or study without authorization after status expiry
Payment for both restoration fee ($350) and extension/new status application fee
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps to successfully extend your status in Canada.
1
Calculate Your Deadline Immediately
Determine the exact date your status expired and count 90 days from that date. This is your absolute deadline to submit a restoration application. Mark this date clearly and plan to submit several days before to account for any technical issues.
2
Stop All Unauthorized Activities
Immediately cease any work or study activities if you were on a work or study permit. From the date your status expired, you have no authorization to work or study, and continuing these activities can result in your restoration being refused and future immigration consequences.
3
Prepare a Detailed Explanation Letter
Write a comprehensive letter explaining exactly how and why your status lapsed. Include specific dates, circumstances beyond your control if applicable, and demonstrate your intention to maintain legal status. Be honest and take responsibility while explaining mitigating factors.
4
Gather All Required Documents for Your Status Type
Collect all documents needed to extend or restore your specific status type - whether visitor, student, or worker. This includes proof of funds, school enrollment letters, job offers, LMIA documents, or other status-specific requirements.
5
Complete the Restoration Application Online
Access your IRCC secure account and complete the appropriate application form for restoration. Select the restoration option and provide all required information about your expired status and current situation.
6
Pay All Required Fees
Pay the $350 restoration fee plus the applicable fee for the status you're applying for ($100 for visitor, $150 for study permit, or $255 for work permit including holder fee). Also pay the $85 biometrics fee if required.
7
Submit and Maintain Documentation of Status
Submit your complete application with all supporting documents before the 90-day deadline. Print and keep your submission confirmation. While waiting for a decision, you cannot work or study, but you can remain in Canada if you applied within the 90-day window.
Common Pitfalls
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' mistakes and avoid these common errors when applying for an extension.
Missing the 90-day deadline - Count carefully from your actual expiry date, not when you realized it expired
Continuing to work or study after status expires - This can lead to automatic refusal and future bans
Weak explanation letter - Don't just apologize; provide specific, credible reasons with supporting evidence
Not understanding you have no status - During restoration processing, you cannot work, study, or leave Canada
Assuming restoration is automatic - IRCC can and does refuse restoration applications; leaving Canada may be safer
Pro Tip
Work with an RCIC to avoid these common mistakes. Our consultants have helped thousands successfully extend their status. We review your application before submission to catch errors and maximize approval chances.
Costs
Extension Fees
Government fees for Status Restoration applications.
Government Fee
$450-$505 CAD ($350 restoration + $100 visitor/$150 study/$155 work permit fee)Biometrics
$85 CAD (if required)Total
$535-$590 CAD (if biometrics required)Fees are subject to change. Check IRCC website for current rates.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Status Restoration
What exactly happens when my status expires in Canada?
When your temporary resident status expires (whether visitor, study permit, or work permit), you immediately lose your legal status in Canada. This means you no longer have authorization to remain in Canada, and you're legally required to leave immediately. If you had a work permit, you must stop working. If you had a study permit, you must stop studying. You cannot apply for any benefits or services that require legal status. If you're found to be in Canada without status beyond 90 days, you could face a removal order, be barred from returning to Canada, and have future immigration applications affected.
Can I work or study while my restoration application is being processed?
No, you cannot work or study while your restoration application is being processed. Unlike extension applications where you have implied status, restoration applications do not provide any authorization to work or study. You're essentially out of status until your restoration is approved. If you had a work permit, you must stop working immediately when it expired, and you cannot resume working until you receive a new approved work permit. The same applies to studying if you're restoring a study permit. This is why restoration can be very disruptive - you may need to wait 10+ months without work or study authorization.
Should I apply for restoration or just leave Canada and reapply?
This depends on your specific situation. Restoration costs more ($350 extra fee), takes months to process, and provides no work/study authorization during processing. However, leaving Canada and reapplying has its own risks - there's no guarantee you'll be approved for a new visa to return, especially if you overstayed. If you have strong ties to Canada (family, ongoing studies, employment), restoration might be better. If your stay is more flexible, leaving and reapplying from your home country might be faster and less expensive. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer to assess your specific circumstances, as the wrong choice could have serious consequences.
What happens if my restoration application is refused?
If your restoration application is refused, you must leave Canada immediately. You'll receive a letter explaining the refusal reasons. Continuing to stay in Canada after a restoration refusal means you're in Canada illegally, which can result in a removal order, a ban on returning to Canada, and serious consequences for future immigration applications. You typically cannot appeal a restoration refusal, though you may be able to apply for judicial review in federal court in limited circumstances. Once you've left Canada, you can apply for a new temporary resident visa from outside Canada, but your overstay and restoration refusal may negatively affect that application.
Can I leave Canada while my restoration application is being processed?
Technically yes, but if you leave Canada while your restoration application is pending, your application is automatically abandoned and will be closed by IRCC. Additionally, since you don't have valid status, leaving means you may not be able to return to Canada even if you have a valid visa (the visa allows you to travel to Canada, but you need separate status to enter). If you need to leave Canada while out of status, it's generally better to withdraw your restoration application and apply for a new temporary resident visa from outside Canada. You cannot leave and return to Canada to 'reset' your status - this doesn't work and border officers will see your status history.
Other Extension Types
Study Permit Extension
4 months (120 days) - Apply at least 3-4 months before expiry
Continue your educational journey with a seamless study permit extension. Apply at least 3 months before your current permit expires.
Learn More
Visitor Visa Extension
18 months (540 days) for online applications - Apply well in advance
Stay longer in Canada with a visitor record extension. Apply at least 30 days before your authorized stay expires.
Learn More
Work Permit Extension
15 months (450 days) - Apply at least 4 months before expiry
Continue your Canadian employment with a work permit extension. Apply at least 4 months before your current permit expires.
Learn More
Ready to Extend Your Stay in Canada?
Don't risk losing your status. Book a consultation with our RCIC-licensed consultants today. We'll help you prepare a complete application and maximize your chances of approval.
RCIC License: R515110 | Member of CICC