By Nasir Khan, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB # R1053580), PrimeRoute Immigration Consulting Inc. Reviewed against IRCC information in October 2026.
Short answer: If your temporary status in Canada has expired, you may be able to apply to restore it, but usually only within a short window after it expired, often 90 days, and approval is not guaranteed. During that time you may not be allowed to study or work. Act quickly, and do not assume your old permit still protects you.
What restoration of status means
Visitors, students and workers receive a temporary status that ends on a date. If you stay past that date without a valid extension, you lose your status. Restoration is an application that asks IRCC to treat you as if your status had continued, provided you meet certain conditions. It is an exception, not a right.
The 90-day window
IRCC's guidance for visitors says you may be able to restore your visitor status if it has been less than 90 days since it expired, in some cases. IRCC's guidance for graduates applying for a post-graduation work permit says that if your study permit expired, you have up to 90 days to apply and restore your student status. Do not treat 90 days as extra time to spare. Waiting the full period can make the application weaker.
What you must show
IRCC's student guidance explains that you lose your student status if your permit expired before you applied for a new one, if you changed key conditions such as your school, program or location, or if you did not follow your permit conditions. To restore it you must still meet the requirements of your stay and have followed your conditions. In general you should expect to:
- Apply for the new or extended permit you need and select the option to restore your status.
- Explain why you stayed past the expiry date and why you need to stay.
- Submit all supporting documents for the permit type, such as proof of enrolment and funds for a student.
- Pay the restoration fee in addition to the usual fees.
Studying and working in the meantime
IRCC says that if you are a student, you cannot study until your status has been restored and you have received your new study permit. For work, IRCC does not give a simple answer on its page, and the rules depend on the situation. Do not work or study on the assumption that it is allowed. Doing it without authorization can cause serious problems for later applications, including permanent residence.
While you wait
IRCC says you may stay in Canada while your restoration application is processed, but approval is not guaranteed. You may be unable to renew provincial documents such as a driver's licence or health card, and you may not be able to get a social insurance number card. If you leave Canada, you may not be able to return unless your status is restored first.
Family members
A spouse, partner or children who came with you may need to restore their own status. Each person applies separately and pays the restoration fee.
If the window has passed
If more than the allowed time has passed, restoration may not be possible. Options then depend on your situation. They can include leaving Canada and applying again from outside, or a different application. A person who has been out of status for a long time should get advice before taking any step, including leaving the country.
Common mistakes
- Waiting almost the full period before applying.
- Continuing to work or study while out of status.
- An explanation that is vague or inconsistent with other documents.
- Forgetting family members who also lost status.
- Believing a pending application always protects you.
When a consultant can help
If your status has expired or is about to, a consultation is time-sensitive. We look at your dates first, what happened, and what each option requires. We cannot promise that your status will be restored.
Frequently asked questions
How long after my status expires can I apply to restore it?
IRCC guidance for visitors and for students applying for a PGWP mentions 90 days. It can differ by situation, so confirm your dates quickly.
Can I study or work while my status is being restored?
Students cannot study until status has been restored and a new study permit is received. For work, the rules depend on your situation, so get advice before working.
Can I stay in Canada while the application is processed?
IRCC says you may stay while it is processed, but approval is not guaranteed.
Do my spouse and children also need to restore status?
They may. Each family member applies separately and pays the restoration fee.
What if I am past the time limit?
Restoration may no longer be possible. Get advice before you act, including before you leave Canada.
Can you guarantee my status will be restored?
No. IRCC decides each case. We can help you present a clear explanation and complete documents.
Related: read about study permit extensions, work permits, the post-graduation work permit and refusals and procedural fairness letters, see all Canadian immigration services, or learn how we work.
Status expired or about to?
Book a 30-minute online consultation with Nasir Khan, RCIC-IRB # R1053580. You will get an honest look at your options, including when you are not yet eligible.
This page is general information, not legal or individual immigration advice. Immigration decisions are made by government authorities such as IRCC, and no consultant can guarantee a result. Rules, fees and processing times change, so confirm current requirements on the official IRCC website before you act.