International students who want to keep studying in Canada can apply online to extend their study permits and should do so at least 30 days before their current ones expire.

Now, study permits – and extensions of those permits – require that the international student pay a $150 fee. 

But Ottawa is temporarily waiving those fees for Syrian, Turkish, Sudanese and Iranian international students.

Syrian and Turkish international students are getting that break on the fees until Sept. 25 because massive earthquakes have caused widespread damage in their home countries. 

“Canada will not stand idly by in the face of these aggressions as the Iranian regime continues its ongoing human rights violations,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“Our government is continuing to stand up for the people of Iran by making it easier for Iranians who wish to extend their stay here in Canada to be with their families and allowing them to continue to work and study in safety. We will continue to work closely with the Iranian-Canadian community which is resolved to shed light on the repressive actions of the Iranian regime.”

Ottawa banned senior officials from Iran from entering Canada in early October last year after designating the Iranian regime as one that engages in human rights violations and terrorism.

With those facilitative measures in place, international students from Iran will be able to get study permit extensions for free until the end of next February.

“No matter why you are here, during this time of great uncertainty for the Iranian people, Canada remains committed to supporting the Iranian Canadian community,” said Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

“With these new measures, we hope to ease the hardship they’re currently facing by making it easier for them to stay longer in a place where it is safe to live and work. And perhaps, one day, call home.”

Sudanese international students are also able to get study permit extensions free of charge as Canada provides them with a safe haven in the wake of the fighting between rival factions in their home country.

Study Permit Extension Applications Are Usually Completed Online

“Canada has a proud and long-standing tradition of providing protection to vulnerable people around the world and we are deeply concerned for the well-being of people in Sudan, including Canadians and their family members,” said Fraser.

“We are monitoring the situation closely, and are working to provide support for those seeking safety in Canada.”

Before applying for a study permit extension, an international student should make sure he or she has everything they might need, including a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of all pertinent documents and a valid credit or debit card.

International students are also advised to carefully read the instruction guide before completing their applications as this guide explains how to complete each field on the form.

“Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions,” states Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on its website. “We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.”

Fees – for those who need to pay them – will be paid at the end of the application process.

“You need an account to apply online,” notes the IRCC. “You can use your account to: pay your fees; submit your application, and; check your status.”

By applying online, international students save the courier fees and, of course, the mail delivery time as immigration officials then get the application instantly. That may well mean the application will be processed more quickly.

International students are usually required to apply online to extend their study permits but those who suffer from a disability or some other barrier that prevents them from applying online or makes applying online unreliable can be exempted from this requirement and submit a paper application.

The IRCC recommends that anyone who is planning to submit a paper application read this instruction guide and download these documents:

• Document Checklist [IMM 5555] (PDF, 296.52 KB)
• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709]
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 637 KB)
• Custodian Declaration [IMM 5646] (PDF, 1.02 MB)
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648.31 KB)

Disabled Students, Those Facing Barriers To Online Application Process Can Submit Paper Applications

In cases where the international student’s study permit has already expired, he or she must restore their student status by selecting both:

• an initial study permit or extension of a study permit, and;
• restoration of temporary resident status as a student.

“Explain how you lost your status and why you stayed in Canada longer than allowed,” notes the IRCC. “There’s no guarantee that we’ll accept your application (but) you can stay in Canada while we process your applications.”

International students seeking to extend their study permits may need to pay third-party fees for medical exams, police certificates, and language testing. 

Once the application is completed, it must be sent to the address on the application package and include the fee receipt and necessary documents.

“If you can’t apply online or use the forms above because of a disability, you can ask for other formats including large print and braille,” notes the IRCC.