Our office and phonelines will be closed until 1:30pm on May 6th, 2026 due to a staff event.
ISS is now located in Brown Bldg., Suite 4100.
ISS is open Mondays to Fridays, 10am - 4pm both in-person and virtually.
Contact ISS right away if either of the following situations applies to you:
- Your study permit is about to expire and you do not have a new CAQ– e.g. CAQ renewal is still in processing OR you have not yet submitted your CAQ application.
- You are outside of Canada, your study permit is about to expire, and you will not have your new study permit application approved before you return to Canada.
- You have withdrawn from McGill or taken a gap term - your study permit may now be invalid.
International students who do not apply to renew their study permit before their current one expires may be de-registered from McGill.
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Overview/
When to Apply
Overview/When to ApplyDiscover when to renew your study permit from outside Canada.
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Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)Learn about the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement.
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Required Documents
Required DocumentsDiscover the documents that are required for a successful study permit renewal application from outside Canada.
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Returning to Canada
Returning to CanadaDiscover how to return to Canada after a successful study permit renewal from outside Canada.
Reminders:
In order to study in Canada, you must have a valid study permit throughout your studies AND meet the conditions of your study permit
If your study permit will expire before you complete your program of studies, you must:
- Apply to extend it from inside Canada before it expires. If you apply to extend your study permit from inside Canada before it expires, you will have maintained status after it expires. If you don't do this:
- You will lose your status as a student in Canada.
- You will not be authorized to resume studying or working until you obtain a new study permit.
- If you apply for the study permit from outside of Canada, you will not benefit from maintained status after your study permit expires.
- Have a CAQ that is valid beyond the expiration date of your current study permit.
- A study permit is normally issued with an expiration date that matches your CAQ.
- Have a valid passport.
- Your new study permit cannot be issued past the expiration date of your passport.
- Ideally, your passport should be valid for the remainder of your studies.
- Apply to extend your study permit even if you have only one semester left. You must have a valid study permit for the entire duration of your program.