Study Permit Extension

International students must maintain a valid Study Permit for the full duration of their studies, including placement/co-op hours. You have just 90 additional days from the end of your studies (and it can take up to 6 weeks to receive a Program Completion Letter and Transcript from the Fleming Records Office in order) to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from inside of Canada. This will also allow you to maintain a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) after school ends and to help you transition to full-time employment if you apply for a PGWP (if eligible). Read more about extending a study permit here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/extend-study-permit.html

Check processing times (apply 60 days before expiry, or earlier): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

Maintained Status (formerly Implied Status)

As long as you apply before your permit expires, you can continue studying while IRCC processes your application, because you have maintained status (as long as you stay in Canada).

For more information about maintained status please visit this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/implied-status-extending-stay.html 

Study Permit Application Guide:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5552-applying-change-conditions-extend-your-stay-canada-student.html

You will need:

Proof of acceptance or enrollment: this could include:

  • Your Offer Letter (if you have not started your program yet, your offer letter has been recently issued and the date of completion is correct); or
  • A Letter of Support from the Records Office (if you have started your program).

To request a Letter of Support for study permit extension, please email records@flemingcollege.ca .

NOTE: Support letters are only issued if your tuition payment has been made and no outstanding fees are due.

In the subject line: YOUR NAME – STUDENT ID – SUPPORT LETTER FOR STUDY PERMIT EXTENSION

Include:

1) Complete name as shown on your passport and study permit

2) Student number

3) Birth Date

4) Program

5) Date your study permit expires

6) A copy of your Study Permit

Important:

  • If you have studied for more than one semesters, please also include an unofficial transcript from your student center.
  • If you are seeking a study permit extension because you are completing a 2nd program, please include in the ‘optional documents’ section of your document checklist:
    1. a brief Letter of Explanation
    2. an Unofficial Transcript; and
    3. Letter of Acceptance (LOA)/Offer Letter for the 2nd program

Co-op Work Permit

If you also have to apply for a new co-op work permit or extend your current work permit, you will also need a co-op work permit letter of support. To request an updated Co-op letter of support, fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/hvc2nJ2kic

If you are applying for a new co-op work permit or to extend your current co-op work permit because you are starting a 2nd program, you can use your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) / Offer Letter and you do not need a Letter of Support. The ‘Co-op Work Permit Information’ letter can be found on page four.

Proof of funds available: you must prove that you will be able to pay for tuition and living costs, though all the funds do not have to be in your personal bank account at this time. This could include any of the following documents (scanned into one PDF):

  • your bank statements for the past four months
  • a bank draft in convertible currency
  • pay stubs
  • an employment letter
  • proof of assets or business
  • proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees (for current and/or future semesters; previous semesters not required)
  • tax reports, declarations or statements
  • proof of a student/education loan from a financial institution
  • a letter from the person or institution providing you with money (such as your parents)
  • proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program
  • proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if money has been transferred to Canada

As of January 1, 2024, for a one-year extension, you must show proof of two semesters of tuition plus $20,635 for living costs (or $1,720 per month or more for couples and families – please see IRCC website Study permit: Get the right documents – Canada.ca).

How to Apply Online:

  1. Create a Government of Canada account: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html – log in and “Start an Application”
  2. Complete the Eligibility Questionnaire which will lead to an application centre and an application form (IMM5709) to complete
  3. Upload the Required Documents (see the Document Checklist here, more details below): https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5555e.pdf?
  4. Pay
  5. Submit

Note: You are required to “submit” your application. Uploading the files to your GCKey account does not mean you submitted them.

Sometimes IRCC will request additional documentation from you. Please monitor your email and GCKey account respecting the deadline outlined in their communication for submission of additional documentation if needed.

Watch our tutorials:

The following links are from the Study Permit Extension hands-on session and are easy to follow. They also explain how to get your co-op extension at the same time as your study permit extension.

1) Study Permit Extension – Part I: Completing the eligibility questionnaire and documentation

https://youtu.be/z0qhu2LZw2o

If you are applying for an extension before November 1st and before the expiry of your study permit, answer the questions about the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as follows:

https://department.flemingcollege.ca/iss/attachment/2349/view

*If you have a PAL because you are starting a second program, include it in your application. After November 1st, you must have a PAL when applying for a study permit extension for a new program. 

2) Study Permit Extension – Part II: Accessing my application

https://youtu.be/3h2WOTenn5w

3) Study Permit Extension – Part III – Completing the Form IMM5709

https://youtu.be/Jo9qmFQRO5s

Coop Work Permit

You can also apply for or extend an existing Co-Op Work Permit at the same time you apply for your study permit extension.  You may need a new Coop Letter to do this, learn more here: https://department.flemingcollege.ca/iss/immigration/co-op-work-permit/ 

Medicals

You may also need to update your Immigration Medical Exam (IME), if your last IME was over 12 months ago. You must submit a valid IME if you are extending your study permit for a program within the School of Health (example: Personal Support Worker and Practical Nursing). 

For more information on who needs a medical visit this link here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents.html 

Find a doctor here: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx

Temporary Resident Visa

You can extend your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) after your Study Permit extension is approved. Repeat the same online process described above but choose the TRV application instead of the Study Permit option. After applying online, you will receive a letter from IRCC stating the visa is approved. Print this letter and mail it with your passport to the Ottawa office, enclosing a self-addressed return envelope. We recommend you use Registered Mail when mailing a passport, as you will be able to track its delivery. Read more about applying for a TRV here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/what-visa.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5256-applying-visitor-visa-temporary-resident-visa.html 

Note:

A PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) is not required for TRV or eTA applications. However, the application questionnaire may ask if you have a PAL if you choose the option “study” when asked “What would you like to do in Canada?”. Answer as follows:

  • Do you have a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)?
    • No
  • Do you qualify for an exception?
    • Yes
  • Which exception do you qualify for?
    • “I am an applicant who meets another exception on the IRCC website.”

The Government of Canada can change rules, regulations, policies, and eligibility requirements at any time. The contents of this webpage were based on policies and legislation of the drafting date. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with all Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations at all times during their studies and while in Canada. Fleming College staff are not authorized to provide advice or guidance on immigration-related matters, other than our International Student Advisors. Applicants and students should consult the IRCC website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html  or contact the IRCC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 to confirm or clarify immigration-related information and requirements.