International students whose study permit will expire before they complete their program at Carleton can apply for a new permit that will authorize them to continue their studies in Canada. All students are encouraged to contact the ISSO for assistance. Members of our immigration advising team typically begin a consultation by confirming the expiry date of both the study permit and the student’s passport. Since April 2020, we have added a new question to the intake process: “Are in you Canada?”
Carleton’s international student population is all over the world at this time. Students who are studying in their home country are often surprised to hear that they can’t renew their study permit. Immigration advisors explain that “renewing” is an informal term. A more precise description is “applying to extend one’s stay in Canada as a student”. Someone who is not in Canada cannot extend their stay.
However, all continuing Carleton students may apply for a new study permit, and they will generally use the same Carleton documents to do so: a current Certificate of Enrolment, and a second document that states their program completion date. Students should consult the ISSO about their best choice for the second document, which will depend in part on whether they are a graduate or undergraduate student.
All study permit applications are done online at the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The main application form is IMM 5709 for an application from someone living in Canada at the time of submission; and IMM 1294 for students living elsewhere. Proof of financial means to pay for tuition and living expenses is part of every application. Other required documents will depend on the country of residence.
The process to receive the study permit will also depend on where the application was made. When a student applies from inside Canada, their new study permit is mailed to them. If they need a new Temporary Resident Visa, they must make a second application for the visa. When a student applies from outside of Canada, upon approval they receive a request to submit their passport if they need a visa to travel to Canada. They also receive a Letter of Introduction (confirmation of approval), which they bring to Canada and present at the port of entry. Their new study permit is printed there.
Another important difference between the two processes is that, as long as a student in Canada applies for a new study permit before their current study permit expires, their status in Canada is maintained. They may continue studying and doing work authorized for students while IRCC processes their application. Students outside of Canada do not need a valid study permit to continue studying online, but they won’t be able to return to Canada until their application is approved. Students outside of Canada whose study permit will expire sometime this summer should take note of IRCC’s commitment to process complete applications submitted by May 15, 2021, before the start of the Fall 2021 term. Read more in the ISSO’s news item.