Study Permits

Knowing the expiry date of your government documents is important.  If they expire prior to the time you need to complete your studies in most cases you should apply for renewal before the expiry date. 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) cannot extend documents beyond the expiry date of your passport.Begin renewal process about eight months prior to expiry. Check with your embassy in Canada for renewal procedures.

Study Permits and Family Documents

For more information on changing the conditions or extending your stay in Canada, please refer to the CIC site.

A study permit allows you to stay in Canada up to its expiry date, Do not let it expire. Unless you are in a program that requires less than 6 months, you cannot study and stay in Canada as an international student without a valid study permit.

You can renew a study permit inside Canada.

If you wish to renew or change the conditions of your Study Permit (and family on same application i.e. work permit, visitor status) make sure you apply at least 2- 3 months prior to expiry. Always check Citizenship and Immigration Canada's processing times to help decide when to apply.

You will need:  

• transcripts from the last two school terms (you can download them from PAWS)
• photocopy of current study permit
• photocopy of passport(s) (including all pages with marks or stamps)
• official letter from your department or college giving details of your studies and length of time needed to complete your program: DO NOT USE” COMFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT LETTER”
• proof of funds ( i.e. bank receipt, evidence of funding from the University, proof of sponsorship from an individual or institution)
• application fee ($125). If you pay online, print the receipt off the web and include it in your application    Payment receipts for a paper based application are available in the ISSAC

A study permit allows you to stay in Canada up to its expiry date.  You can renew a study permit inside Canada.  This is different from your temporary resident visa (TRV).  The TRV is what allows you entry to Canada.  Accompanying family members in Canada can be included on the same application.

Applications

Online Applications

If you apply online, you will have to apply for any family members online as well (if applicable).  You are required to create a CIC application profile by enrolling with MyCIC.  To help you understand how to complete an Online Application,  view CIC's video "How to Complete an On-Line Application".

You can do many things through your MyCIC account, including:

• apply for an off-campus work permit;
• restore your temporary resident status as a student;
• restore temporary resident status for any family members in Canada
• obtain an initial work permit or extend the work permit of family members in Canada;
• obtain an initial study permit or extend the study permit of family members in Canada; and
• extend the temporary stay of family members in Canada.

Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada Secure Online Services  for complete listing of applications that may be submitted online.

Apply by mail

For paper application and information on applying to extending your stay in Canada, please refer to the CIC site

Send to CIC's Case Process Centre in Vegreville, Alberta by using an express or priority mail (at the post office) so you can prove your application was received (the receipt is needed if you are working on campus and require proof that your study permit application was mailed). Always keep of copy of your application.

Citizenship and Immigration - Study Permit
Case Processing Centre
6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 101
Vegreville, AB
T9C 1X5

If Permit Expires Before Renewal

If your permit expires while you are waiting for a response from CIC, you are considered to have implied status in Canada and continue studying under the conditions of your study permit until you receive a response. It is important that you remain in Canada while you have this status. You may be unable to re-enter Canada without a valid permit.

If your study permit expires before you submit your application for renewal, you will be considered out of status. In this case, your immigration status must be restored, and you will need to pay a restoration fee of $200 as well as the standard $125 renewal fee. You have 90 days from the day you went out of status to apply for restoration.

If you have not applied to extend your study permit and it expired more than 90 days ago, you will be unable to renew your existing permit. You will have to leave Canada to apply for a new study permit, and you might be barred from applying for up to six months.

See an International Student Advisor at the ISSAC if you find yourself in this situation.

Working and Getting Paid While Waiting for CIC Response

In order to continue getting paid while you wait for a response from CIC regarding an extension of your study permit, the on- campus employer/department will require proof that you have submitted an application for extension of your study permit. 

Proof is:

• for paper based applications:  a copy of your postage receipt, or
• for online applications:  a copy of your “Welcome to MYCIC” homepage indicating the transmission of an “In-Canada Temporary Resident” application

Payroll should continue to pay you during the time you are working while waiting for the renewed permit. Once you receive your document present it to your on-campus employer

Did not Apply for a Study Permit Before Coming to Canada

If you are presently in Canada as a visitor and you wish to apply for a Study Permit you must submit your application to a Canadian immigration office outside of Canada. There are some exceptions to this regulation. For example, the spouses and the children of students with a valid Study Permit can apply for a Study Permit in Canada by completing “Application to Change My Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada”.  Most applicants will have to do an immigration approved medical and security check which will make it difficult to get the Study Permit quickly.

Further information and application kits for applying outside of Canada are available. Do not forget to download the Document Checklist that lists all information required to apply for your Study Permit. Be sure to send the appropriate form of payment. For example, if you are sending your application to Buffalo you must pay with a money order or bank draft payable to the “Canadian Consulate General”. DO NOT use the pink fee receipt used to “renew” a Study Permit. The pink fee receipt can only be used within Canada.

You could be asked to go to the Canadian Consulate for an interview so be sure you can get a visa to enter the United States before sending an application there.

For more information, you can contact the CIC call centre at 1-888-242-2100 

Taking a Break from Studies

Students sometimes take a short break from their studies because of illness or academic pressure. International students are normally permitted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to remain in Canada and take one term off if they’ve already completed two consecutive terms. Consult an academic advisor and contact an International Student Advisor if you are considering taking a break from your studies.

If you plan to leave the country during your break, request a letter from your college/department stating that you are eligible to return to your program of studies. If asked by a border officer, present this letter along with any documentation of your break (e.g., leave approval from University, doctor’s note, etc.).  If you hold an off-campus work permit and take a break from studies, you may have to return your work permit to CIC.

Health Cards

Your Health Services card will expire in the month of the expiry date of the immigration document you used to receive coverage, and/or the graduation date you provided on the Student Certification form submitted with your original application.

To apply for the renewal of your health card as an international student, you need to send a copy of your renewed study permit and complete the Saskatchewan Health Student Certification.

This form is available online or you can fill out the paper version available at the ISSAC and mail to:  

Saskatchewan Health Registration
1942 Hamilton St.
Regina, SK. S4P 3V7

Tel. (306) 798-0641
Toll Free. (866) 275-4721
Fax. (306) 787-2288
Website. http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/

Complete the form as follows:

• Box 1 -  provide all necessary information
  Box 2 -  sign and date the middle section that has the heading “Certification (Non-Saskatchewan Resident)”
  Box 3 -  leave this box blank and provide a U of S “Confirmation of Enrolment letter” found online
• Include a photocopy your study permit. (for a family include: each visitor record and health card) and a photocopy your health card.
  To renew your health card as a visiting scholar or post-doctoral fellow, you need to fill out the form and include a photocopy of your health card and a photocopy of your work permit. 
• Mail your application to Saskatchewan Health Registration with a request to renew your health coverage.

Please note that if your health card has been expired for more than one year, you must complete a new application form.