Canada Clarifies Study Permit Duration for Foreign Students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued guidance regarding the duration international students can remain in Canada under a study permit. A study permit is generally valid for the entire length of the student's program plus an additional 90 days.

This 90-day period allows students to either prepare to leave Canada or apply for an extension of their stay. Students whose permits are nearing expiration before completing their courses must apply for an extension prior to the permit's expiry; failure to do so results in an immediate requirement to cease studies and leave Canada, as there is no automatic grace period.

For students who finish their studies early, the study permit becomes invalid 90 days after the official completion date, which is determined by the institution's notification to the student. Students must provide proof of this notification, or IRCC will use the earliest date on any official document from the institution.

Additional conditions apply for students taking prerequisite courses.