How can I tell when my documents expire?
Type of Document When Does It Expire?
CAQ
  1. See the expiry date indicated on your CAQ document.
  2. A CAQ is usually valid for 4 years for undergraduates and PhD students, and 1 to 2 years for Masters students (depending on the length of their program).
Study Permit
  1. Your study permit will become invalid on the first to occur of the following dates:
    1. 90 days after you have completed your study program, or on the date it expires, whichever date comes first. 
    2. The day on which you are no longer enrolled at the designated learning institution that is named on your permit, other than as a result of completing your studies.
  2. Your program is considered complete when you receive written notification of program completion, for example:
    1. A Proof of Graduation Letter – available for download on Minerva the day after Senate meets to approve degrees (in May for Winter grads; in November for Summer grads; and in February for Fall grads).
    2. An official e-transcript indicating a degree granted date – available to order the day after Senate meets to approve degrees (in May for Winter grads; in November for Summer grads; and in February for Fall grads)
    3. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP letter) issued by Service Point (can be requested – in some situations – before Senate has met to approve degrees)
Work Permits
  1. If you apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, the expiry date – up to a maximum 3 year validity – will depend on the length of your program of studies. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs are eligible for a 3 year PGWP.
  2. If your spouse obtains an Open Work Permit (OWP) based on your study permit, their OWP will normally expire on the same date as your study permit. Your spouse can use their OWP until the date it expires – even if your study permit becomes invalid before that date (e.g., due to program completion).
Entry Visa (TRV)
  1. Your Visitor Visa (or TRV) is usually issued for the same duration as your Study Permit.
  2. If you get a new passport while your TRV is still valid, the TRV in your old passport remains valid - you will simply have to travel with both passports.
  3. If your status changes from student to worker, you can continue to use the TRV that was issued to you while you were a student, as long as it has not yet expired.
eTA
  1. Your eTA is normally valid for 5 years after it was issued or until the expiry date of the passport included in the application – whichever date comes first.
  2. If you renew your study permit or work permit from inside of Canada, an eTA will automatically be issued to you when your permit is approved.
  3. If you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new eTA. This is because the eTA is electronically linked to your passport. 

Concerned about expired immigration documents?

Here are the 3 most common scenarios:

Your study permit has expired. You applied to extend it from inside Canada before it expired, but you have not yet received your new permit

  1. If your study permit expires after you have submitted your application for an extension but before you receive a decision on your application, you can stay in Canada under what’s called maintained status.
  2. That means that you can legally remain in Canada and continue to study and work until IRCC makes a decision on your study permit extension application. You will have maintained statis until a decision is made as long as:
    1. You stay in Canada from the date your study permit expired and
    2. You meet the conditions of your original study permit. 

Your study permit has expired and and you did not apply to extend it before the expiry date.

  1. If you were inside Canada and you did not submit a study permit extension application before your study permit expired, you have lost your status as a student. This means you are no longer authorized to study (or work) in Canada until you obtain a new study permit.
    1. If you have not left Canada, you may be able to apply to restore your status as a student within 90 days of losing it.
    2. After you apply to restore your status, you may stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application but you are not allowed to study or work until your status has been restored.
    3. Studying or working without authorization can result in the refusal of an immigration application, a 6 month ban, or an exclusion order. Unauthorized studies/work must be disclosed and explained in all future immigration applications. Failure to disclose unauthorized studies or work can lead to a finding of misrepresentation and a 5 year exclusion order.
    4. There is no guarantee that your application to restore your status will be approved. In your application, you must provide full details of all the facts and circumstances that caused you to lose your status. If you have engaged in any studies or work while out of status, you must disclose this and provide explanations.
    5. In addition to a fee for renewing your study permit, there is also a fee for restoring your status. The fee is required for each family member who has lost status. To find out about application fees, go to Pay my application fees.
    6. An officer will evaluate your request for restoration of status and will process an application for a study permit. IRCC will advise you of any further action to be taken.
    7. Processing times for a restoration of status applications are unpredictable. We have seen applications processed in a few weeks to several months (e.g. close to processing times for study permit extension applications).
  2. If you were outside Canada and you did not apply for a new study permit before your study permit expired, you must obtain a new study permit (and, if necessary, a new eTA or TRV) in order to return to Canada to resume your studies.
    1. You are not authorized to resume your studies/work in Canada until you have obtained a new study permit.
    2. We do not recommend that you travel to Canada until your study permit application has been approved.
    3. If you decide to return to Canada before your new study permit application has been approved, you may be denied entry to Canada. If you are allowed to enter Canada as a visitor, you will not be authorized to study or work while awaiting a decision on your application. Once the application has been approved, you will need to leave Canada and then return in order to obtain your study permit at a Port of Entry.

Contact us right away if you are worried that you will not be able to submit an application to extend your study permit before it expires or if you have lost your status and you would like guidance on how to proceed.

Your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV/Entry Visa/Visitor Visa) has expired and you plan to travel

  1. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, or Entry Visa) to enter Canada, you can apply for a new visa. Normally, a TRV is issued to the expiration date of the study permit included in the application. If you leave Canada, you must have a valid TRV in order to re-enter.  
  2. You can travel to the US only and back into Canada without a valid TRV as long as you have a valid study permit or work permit.

 

Related Content:

Maintained vs Out of Status
Renewing Immigration Documents
Restoring Status (IRCC)