Status Restoration — Canada immigration status extension by Go Far Global

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.

Get Extension Help Check Processing Times

Processing Time

10 months (300 days) - You must wait in Canada during processing without work/study authorization

Government Fee

$246.25-$401.25 CAD ($246.25 restoration fee; add $150 study permit or $155 work permit, nothing extra for visitor)

Biometrics Fee

$85 CAD (if required)

Total Cost

$331.25-$486.25 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 fee for the status you are restoring and a $246.25 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

Extension Consultation

Not sure if you qualify for an extension? Our RCIC-licensed consultants will review your situation and guide you through the process.

Book a Consultation Check Processing Times Original Application Info

RCIC 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 the restoration fee ($246.25) and the new status application fee

Get Complete Checklist

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps to successfully extend your status in Canada.

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.

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.

Prepare a Detailed Explanation Letter

Write a detailed 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.

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.

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.

Pay All Required Fees

Pay the $246.25 restoration fee plus the applicable fee for the status you're applying for. IRCC bundles these as $246.25 total to restore as a visitor, $396.25 to restore as a student ($246.25 + $150 study permit), or $401.25 to restore as a worker ($246.25 + $155 work permit). Also pay the $85 biometrics fee if required.

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.

Get Professional Help

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

$246.25-$401.25 CAD ($246.25 restoration fee; add $150 study permit or $155 work permit, nothing extra for visitor)

Biometrics

$85 CAD (if required)

Total

$331.25-$486.25 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 (a $246.25 restoration fee on top of the status 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

About 6 weeks (IRCC estimate, 24 Oct 2026) inland. Apply at least 30 days before expiry

Keep studying without a gap. IRCC says to apply at least 30 days before your permit expires; applying earlier gives you room if IRCC asks for more documents.

Learn More

Visitor Visa Extension

Approximately 385 days, about 12.5 months (IRCC, October 1, 2026) - Apply well in advance

To extend a visitor visa, you apply for a visitor record from inside Canada. Apply at least 30 days before your authorized stay expires.

Learn More

Work Permit Extension

About 4 months (118 days per IRCC, October 14, 2026) inland. IRCC says apply at least 30 days before expiry; we recommend 4 months

Keep working without a gap. IRCC says to apply at least 30 days before your permit expires, and sooner if your employer needs a new LMIA first.

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.

Book a Consultation info@gofarglobal.com

RCIC License: R515110 | Member of CICC

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.