International students must maintain valid status throughout their stay in Canada. Ensure not to let your study permit expire while you are studying at VCC and extend it if your study permit expires before completing your program. It is advisable to initiate the extension process six months before the expiry to maintain your valid status in Canada. Additionally, ensure your passport is valid long enough to allow the extension of your status in Canada, as IRCC cannot issue a permit beyond the expiration date of your passport.
Considering the graduation audit period (up to 6 weeks), it is recommended to apply for a study permit extension if there is insufficient coverage for this period after the completion of your program. Note that the IRCC online application system operates on  and not Pacific Standard Time (PST). As such, your application must be submitted before midnight UTC on the specified date.
For a study permit extension, request a VCC study permit extension letter and select ‘yes’ to the co-op work permit question only if ²â´Ç³Ü°ù program requires practicum experience and you cannot complete your practicum training before the expiry of your co-op work permit.
Failure to apply for a study permit extension before expiry results in one becoming out-of-status , requiring immediate cessation of studies. may be sought within 90 days of losing it. You may return to your program of studies only after your new application for restoration is approved. If this applies to you, please email ieservices@vcc.ca to book an appointment so that we can assist you.
When you  and indicate that you would like to ‘study’ and that your current immigration status in Canada is ‘student,’ the system will understand that you want to apply for a study permit extension in Canada. During the application process, the system will ask if ‘you also want to apply for a work permit.’ Please answer ‘yes’ only if your program requires practicum experience.
You do not need a to apply for a study permit extension. To ensure the correct Document Checklist is triggered when applying for a study permit extension, follow these steps:
- Respond ‘No’ when asked if you have a PAL.
- Answer ‘Yes’ when asked about qualifying for an exception.
- Depending on your nationality, the system may ask which exception you qualify for:
- If you are a single student or the main applicant of the family, select “I am an applicant applying within Canada as described under of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).”
- If you are a family member of the main applicant eligible under , choose “I am a family member of a foreign national in Canada as described under section 215(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).”
After answering all the questions from the wizard, you will be provided with a personalized document checklist. If the document checklist requests a PAL upload when applying for a study permit extension, it is because these questions weren't answered correctly.
The checklist will require you to upload your ‘Letter of Acceptance (Letter of Enrolment/Registration)’ and a ‘Co-op Letter’ (if applicable). Please upload the VCC Study Permit Extension Letter and Co-op Work Permit Letter (if applicable) accordingly.
Once you've submitted your application, you'll receive a confirmation PDF document in your secure IRCC account. Upon approval, another PDF will indicate that your original documents are on their way to the address you provided. It's crucial to double-check your address accuracy during submission. If you happen to move, remember to update your address via the IRCC webform promptly through the
Please review the following documents for instructions on how to submit a study permit extension application online from inside Canada: