February 19th, 2024 at 12:57 am

How to Prolong Your Stay in Canada as an International Student

Here’s a comprehensive guide to extending your stay in Canada as a student. Once international students have obtained a study visa, they frequently need to request an extension or modification of the permit during their academic journey in Canada. To begin, a study permit expires 90 days after the completion of the program. If you are unable to complete your study program before the study permit expires, you must seek an extension. If you complete the program ahead of time, your study permit will expire in 90 days. This applies regardless of the initial study permission date.

As a result, the IRCC suggests that students request study permit extensions within 30 days of the expiration date of their current study permit. However, applying before the 30-day deadline is preferable to minimize any delays or difficulties in the process.

If you are studying in Quebec, you must receive a Quebec Acceptance Certificate. Generally, a study permit requires you to obtain a CAQ.

If your study permit is about to expire

If a student files for a study permit renewal, extension, or change before the current status expires, they will fall into the “maintained status” category. This maintained status will apply to you as a temporary resident until the IRCC processes your application.

However, if your status expires before IRCC approves your application, you will only be able to extend your studies for the remainder of your stay in Canada.

Maintaining your legal standing in the country is critical throughout the entire procedure. It is critical to not exceed your allotted stay in Canada without filing for a status change.

In the event of an expired study permit

If you have not yet filed for a study visa but have already expired, this indicates that you have lost your status in Canada. In addition, you will be unable to continue your studies until IRCC issues you a new study permit. This also shows that having a status in Canada is crucial, and without it, you will be unable to resume your education. As a result, you will have 90 days to apply for your status renewal and permit extension.

The expense of regaining your status is CAD 200, while a fresh study permit costs CAD 150.

What about travelling outside of Canada?

When re-entering Canada, you must present a travel document, which is required if you wish to return to the nation.

What if the candidate has applied for a different permit?

If you previously had student status but filed for a work permit, you will not be able to continue your studies while the IRCC decides on your work permit application.

Furthermore, you cannot study in Canada unless the IRCC approves your application. In contrast, you can stay in the country as a guest or temporary resident until your application is processed.

Extend your stay in Canada after graduation

If you intend to extend your stay in Canada as a student beyond graduation, you must maintain your legal status as follows:

• Submit applications for various permits, keeping in mind your eligibility and personal circumstances. For example, a work permit with a specific employer.
• Submit an application to alter your status as a visitor.
• Submitting a study permit application for the second time in order to continue your education.

A few graduates may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows students to live in Canada and gain Canadian job experience.

Eligibility Requirements for Getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit

International graduates are eligible for a PGWP if they meet the following requirements:

• If they complete an eligible program under the PGWP from a DLI
• Their study program lasted eight months.
• They maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session. They can, however, demonstrate part-time student status during the last semester of the study program. Also, if international students pursue part-time schooling as a result of the coronavirus
• They presented a transcript or official document confirming that they had completed their education.
• They submitted their application within 180 days after completing their program and obtaining their transcripts.

Exceptions to the PGWP eligibility requirements.

You will be unable to obtain a post-graduation work permit if:

• Your study visa expired more than 180 days before you submitted your application, or if you applied from outside of Canada, you received a first-stage approval rather than a final decision.
• A PGWP has already been provided to you.
• You enrolled to learn French or English as a second language, or you took classes for general interest or self-improvement.
• You completed the majority of your studies online, through e-learning, or via written contact.
• You completed a study program at an international school in Canada.
• You participated in the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program, the Organization of American States Fellowship Program, and the Government of Canada Awards Programme.
• You received funding from Global Affairs Canada or earned the Canada-Chile Equal Opportunity Scholarship.

When to Apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit

You have 180 days to apply for a PGWP after completing your course of study and receiving your degree, diploma, transcript, or official letter from your school.

Typically, your study permit is valid for 90 days after you complete your program, however, it may expire before you receive your final grades or degree/diploma. If your study permission expires before you receive your grades or degree, you must either apply for a visitor record or a temporary residence visa to remain in Canada, or depart the country and seek a PGWP.

If you do not alter your status to “visitor,” you will have 90 days after your study permit expires to reapply as a student and apply for a PGWP. In this instance, you are unable to work in Canada until your student status is reinstated, and your work permit is approved.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Validity

Your PGWP is only valid for the duration of your study program. If your study program lasted between eight months and two years, you could be eligible for a PGWP valid for the same period of time. If your program lasted more than two years, you may be eligible for a three-year PGWP.

Furthermore, if you were an international student in Canada and completed two or more study programs, the length of your PGWP will be determined by the overall length of your study programs, as long as each met the qualifying conditions and lasted at least eight months.

Cost of Postgraduate Work Permit

Typically, the application fee for a PGWP is $255 CAD. However, if your student status in Canada expires before you apply for the PGWP, you will have to pay an additional $350 to reinstate it.

ALSO, READ

• FIRSTLY, CANADA WORK VISA 2023: NO LMIA || VISA & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED
• SECONDLY, BECOME A TEACHER IN CANADA | PERMANENT RESIDENCY | MOVE TO CANADA
• THIRDLY, LIST OF COUNTRIES WHERE UAE EXPATS CAN GET AN E-VISA
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FINALLY, THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR SCHENGEN VISAS FOR TRAVELLERS REVEAL