What restoration of status is
Restoration of status is the process for recovering your legal status in Canada after it has expired without you renewing or changing your permit in time. It exists for exactly that reason: so that an oversight or a delay does not turn into being forced out of the country.
When you need it
The most common situations:
- Your visitor status expired and you are still in Canada.
- Your study permit expired and you did not apply for an extension in time.
- Your work permit ended without renewal.
- You lost maintained status because your extension application was refused or incomplete.
The deadline that changes everything: 90 days
You have 90 days from the date your status expired to file a restoration application. After that window, you can no longer restore from inside Canada and you must leave. The 90 days cannot be extended or negotiated, so the first step is to work out exactly when your status expired.
The three types of restoration
As a visitor
For someone who wants to stay temporarily without studying or working. You must explain why your status expired, show funds and demonstrate you did not breach other conditions. The restoration fee is CAD $246.25, and in this case there is no separate visa fee.
As a student
If your study permit expired but you are still enrolled and want to continue. On top of restoration you need the new study permit: CAD $396.25 in total, made up of $246.25 for restoration plus $150 for the permit.
One newer detail many people miss: when you restore your status as a student you need a new provincial attestation letter (PAL), even if you are staying at the same school and the same level of study. Without it, the application will not proceed.
As a worker
If your work permit expired and you have a valid job offer. You need restoration plus the new permit: CAD $401.25 in total, that is $246.25 plus $155. If the position requires an LMIA, that assessment must be valid.
How it is filed
Restoration is not a separate form. You request it online, from your IRCC account, through the corresponding extension or change of status application, indicating that you are asking for restoration. You must include:
- A valid passport.
- A detailed and honest explanation of why your status expired. This document carries real weight in the decision.
- Proof of funds.
- The documents specific to your type of restoration: a letter from the school, a job offer, an LMIA if applicable.
- Payment of the full fees.
Processing times vary by application type and case volume, so it is best to apply as soon as possible rather than at the end of the window.
Maintained status versus restoration
If you applied to extend your permit before it expired, you have what is called maintained status: you can remain legally in Canada under the same conditions while your application is processed. If you applied after the expiry date, you do not have maintained status and you need restoration. The difference between one day and the next is enormous, which is why we insist so strongly on not leaving extensions until the last minute.
Advice that actually makes a difference
- Apply immediately. Do not wait until day 89.
- Explain the circumstances clearly, without vague excuses. Officers value honesty and context.
- Check that every fee is paid; a missing fee can get the application returned and leave you out of time.
- Keep a copy of everything you send.
If the 90 days have already passed
In that case restoration from inside Canada is no longer possible. The usual alternative is to leave Canada voluntarily and apply again from abroad, which avoids a bar on entry and keeps your options open. Every case has its nuances, and this is where professional representation matters most.
Has your status expired?
Do not panic, but act quickly. At Goldstone Immigration we assess your case, calculate your exact deadline, determine which type of restoration suits you and file the complete application, representing you before IRCC as a regulated consultancy. Contact us today: 90 days go by faster than you think.
Source: IRCC, fee list and provincial attestation letter requirements, consulted in June 2026.