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The ISSO’s immigration advising team doesn’t want to talk to you about your “study visa.” We’re not being picky about English language usage. We want to be sure you understand the difference between your study permit and your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV); and we need to know which document and immigration issues we are advising on.
Your study permit is your Canadian status document. A valid study permit authorizes you to be in Canada to study, and in the case of most Carleton students, to do some work while you are studying. While in Canada, you must renew your study permit before it expires so that you can continue these activities. Your study permit includes the phrase “This does not authorize re-entry.”
A TRV is the document that allows you to travel to Canada, if you are from a visa-required country. It is laminated into your passport. Students who don’t need a TRV have an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead. You can stay in Canada without having a valid TRV, but we advise that you have one, because you can’t always know when you might need to travel on short notice.
Carleton students continuing their studies can apply for new documents when theirs are about to expire. Students in Canada do this in two steps: first renew the study permit; and after receiving the study permit, apply for a new TRV that will have the same expiry date. Students who are not in Canada when their study permit expires cannot use the renewal process. They must apply to a visa office, as they did originally. This is an application for both a TRV and a study permit.