How to Use CIC's Online Study Permit Extension Application - when applying from within Canada
Before you start: ensure that you have a valid passport and CAQ. Your new Study Permit will not be valid beyond the expiry dates of these documents.
US students ONLY: Please note that you can renew your Study Permit at the border (Lacolle/Champlain, St. Armand/Phillipsburg, or Stanstead), or - if arriving by plane - with immigration services at the airport (instead of online).
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE:
1. Log into MyCIC (or register for an account)
A - First, register or log in using a GCKey or Sign-In Partner. You can register with either one, however the CGKey is the simplest option, and the one we recommend. The Sign-In Partner option connects your CIC account to your Canadian bank account.
B - Once you've logged in - or registered - apply to Extend Your Stay in Canada as a Student.
C - The Personal Checklist Code is provided once you've completed the online questionnaire (it looks like this: QK4350881372). If you have not yet completed the questionnaire, click "Don't have a personal checklist code?".
2. Tips on Filling out the Questionnaire
You will be led through a questionnaire; the questions listed below are those that sometimes cause confusion. To help, here are some clarifications:
- What would you like to do in Canada? Indicate “Study”, even if you also plan to apply for a student work permit.
- How long are you planning to stay in Canada? For most degree/diploma students, the answer would be “Temporarily – more than 6 months”.
- What is your country of residence? Unless you are commuting daily from the US, your current country of residence is Canada.
- What is your current immigration status in Canada? Student
- Do you also want to apply for a work permit? If you indicate “YES”, you will be given the option of applying for the Off-Campus Work Permit or the Co-op/Internship Work Permit. More information on student work permits is provided here.
3. Tips on Completing the Fillable PDF Form
Once you have finished the questionnaire, you will be directed to complete a pdf fillable form (IMM5709). Here is clarification for some of the questions that may cause confusion:
- The UCI or Client ID number is listed in the box above the expiry date of your Study Permit.
- I am applying for...: "An initial study permit or extension of study permit"
- When asked: What is the date of your original entry to Canada?, we recommend putting the original date of entry for when you came to start your studies in Canada.
- When CIC requests the Study Permit document number, they actually want the black number (which starts with only 1 letter) listed under the large red number on at the top right of the Study Permit.
- The cost of my studies will be: indicate the cost of your tuition, room & board, and other expenses for 1 year only.
- Funds available: the amount indicated should be the same amount, or less, than the proof of funds provided with your application.
- If you are also applying for a work permit, you can indicate "Off-Campus Work Permit" (OCWP) or "Co-op/Internship Work Permit". If you apply for an OCWP, you will be asked to provide your Electronic Verification Number (EVN). Check here for details.
- Under "Have you had any post secondary education...?" answer "yes" - you can indicate your current program at McGill.
- Under Employment, you can indicate "Student" under "Current Activity/Occupation" if you are not currently working.
- The electronic signature section of the form does not work; advisors across Canada have been telling students to submit the document without the signature.
- Once the fillable form completed and validated, save the document to your desktop, then upload it in the upload section. The form cannot be printed and scanned.
- When asked to upload your passport, be sure to include ALL stamped/marked pages of your passport, and include any Study or Work Permits stapled into your passport (you may have to temporarily remove the staples). These should all be scanned into 1 document.
4. Supporting Documents
You will be asked to upload a list of supporting documents based on the answers you provided to the questionnaire.
N.B. If you are extending your current Study Permit, you DO NOT need your original letter of acceptance, but you DO need your Proof of Enrolment (which can be printed off Minerva).
5. Processing times
You can check how long it will take to get your Study Permit here. Processing times vary according to volume and time of year.
Common Problem: I am also applying for an Off-Campus Work Permit, but in that section of the application, there was NO opportunity to indicate that I do NOT have an EVN.
Solution A
Check the My Requests section of your profile (before entering your application). There you should find a link to "Request an EVN".
If this option does not appear, see Solution B.
Solution B
You may not have provided your Client ID number when you originally registered with MyCIC.
To correct the issue:
- Select Exit to leave your Online Application;
- Select Next question to return to the Terms and Conditions page;
- Delete the e-Application currently in progress; and
- Re-enroll using your client ID number.
Once the enrolment is complete, you can request an EVN by clicking on the link called OCWP – Request an EVN or a Transfer of Eligibility Verification under the Make a Request section of the MyCIC Welcome page.
If you are still having problems with your CIC online application, please contact International Student Services or stop by for Drop-In Advising.
