It is possible to remain in Canada longer than you initially intended, or change your initial reason for coming to Canada. IRCC recommends submitting your application to extend your stay at least 30 days prior to its expiry, however, you can do so right up until the validity of your current status.

 

There are several public policies that have been announced that you may be able to take advantage of. Canada recently announced holders of Post Graduation Work Permit Holds may be able to gain an additional 18 months. In addition, there is currently a public policy that allows visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

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You will have maintained status (formerly known as implied status) if you submit your application before your current status expires and be able to continue working or studying while you await a decision. If you need to remain in Canada but fail to submit the application before your current status expires, then you must restore your status. You can only restore your status within 90 days of it expiring. During the time you are awaiting a decision on your restoration of status application, you must stop working or studying.

 

If you have a work permit that’s about to expire or that you need to change, you must apply to extend it or change the conditions on it. 

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If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record.

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The expiry date on your study permit tells you when you have to stop studying and leave Canada. If you want to continue studying in Canada, you need to extend your study permit.

 

If you want to extend your stay or have allowed your status to expire, contact us.

 

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