Already studying in Canada? The rules for staying, switching schools, and working after graduation have shifted repeatedly since late 2024 — DLI changes now need a fresh study permit, spousal work permits have been restricted twice, and extension processing has stretched past five months. Hike Visa manages these applications the way IRCC is deciding them right now.
Current fees & timelines
Figures per IRCC's official fee list, last verified this year. We confirm the live amount before you pay.
Since 8 November 2024, you can no longer switch Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) by simply notifying IRCC through your online account. Changing schools now requires a full new study permit application, processed as an extension — and you cannot start at your new institution until it's approved, except in narrow situations.
Processing times for in-Canada study permit extensions have stretched to roughly 157–171 days as of late 2025/2026 — nearly six months. If you apply before your current permit expires, you keep maintained status (formerly "implied status") and can keep studying and working throughout, no matter how long the decision takes. Apply after it expires, and you're out of status immediately.
The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) has been narrowed twice in fourteen months. From 21 January 2025, only spouses of doctoral students, master's students in programs of 16+ months, and select professional-degree students (law, medicine, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, education) qualify. From 4 March 2026, applications are refused outright — even renewals — if the principal student is in their final academic term.
Note: IRCC updated its fee schedule on 30 April 2026 and its restoration-of-status fee in December 2025. We confirm the exact current amount for your situation before we file — third-party figures, including ours, should always be treated as a starting point.
Since 8 Nov 2024, switching schools requires a full study permit extension application, not an online notification.
Apply well before expiry — maintained status protects you while you wait, however long processing takes.
Only spouses of doctoral, 16+ month master's, or listed professional-degree students now qualify — and final-term students no longer qualify at all.
Updated December 2025 — on top of the fee for the permit you're restoring (study, work, or visitor).
Whichever situation applies to you, timing is the single biggest factor in every one of these applications.
Continuing your program past your current permit's expiry date, at the same institution.
DetailsSwitching institutions or programs — now processed as a full new study permit application.
DetailsApplying for open work authorization after you complete an eligible program.
DetailsYour permit expired before you applied to extend it — you may have 90 days to fix it.
DetailsGetting your spouse or partner work authorization under the narrowed 2025–26 rules.
DetailsIf you're continuing your program at the same institution beyond your current permit's expiry date, you need to extend before that date — not after.
Anyone still enrolled at the DLI named on their current study permit, with a program end date beyond the permit's expiry.
Given current ~157–171 day processing times, applying close to your expiry date risks a status gap.
Apply before your permit expires and you can keep studying and working under the same conditions until a decision is made.
For applications submitted on or after 1 September 2025, IRCC expects proof of at least CAD $22,895 for a year's living costs, plus tuition.
You must have maintained full-time enrolment and be making reasonable progress toward your program, with limited exceptions.
Extensions can only be filed while you're physically present in Canada — if you're abroad, you'd need a new permit instead.
The 171-day reality: processing times for study permit extensions have grown substantially since 2025. We help clients submit complete, well-documented applications as early as possible to avoid the risk of a permit lapsing mid-process.
Switching schools or programs is no longer a simple notification — since November 2024, it's a full study permit application.
Before 8 Nov 2024: you could switch DLIs by simply updating your online IRCC account — no new permit required.
From 8 Nov 2024: changing DLIs requires applying to extend your current study permit, naming your new institution — treated as a standard extension application.
Timing risk: you can't start studying at your new institution until the new permit is approved, except in specific transitional circumstances your DLI can confirm.
Joint programs: since February 2026, students in programs spanning multiple institutions or provinces need only one PAL/TAL, not one per school, where a PAL applies.
New letter of acceptance from your new DLI, naming the program and start date.
Updated financial proof meeting the current threshold for your new program's location and duration.
A new PAL/TAL, if your new program requires one under 2026 rules (most master's and doctoral programs at public DLIs are exempt).
Explanation of the transfer — some officers ask why you're changing institutions, especially close to program completion.
An open work permit for graduates of eligible programs — one of the strongest bridges to Canadian PR, and available only once in your lifetime.
Your program must be at least 8 months long (900 hours for Quebec programs) at a PGWP-eligible DLI.
You must apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program — there are no extensions to this deadline.
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates need CLB 7 in all four abilities; most other college/non-degree graduates need CLB 5.
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates are exempt from field-of-study restrictions. Non-degree graduates (study permit applied for on or after 1 Nov 2024) need their program's CIP code on IRCC's current eligible list.
PGWP length generally matches your program length, up to 3 years — master's programs of any length (from 15 Feb 2024) can qualify for the full 3 years.
You cannot get a PGWP if you've already had one after an earlier program — plan to apply after your longest or final qualifying program.
Good to know: if you apply before your study permit expires, you can work full-time immediately while your PGWP is processed under maintained status. If your permit has already expired, you have up to 90 days to apply for a PGWP together with restoration of your student status.
If your permit expired before you applied to extend it, you're out of status immediately — but you may still have a 90-day window to fix it.
The moment your permit expires, you must stop studying and working immediately — you are out of status. Restoration is not guaranteed, and after 90 days it is no longer available at all; at that point you must leave Canada and apply for a new permit from abroad.
You must submit your restoration application within 90 days of your permit expiring — there is no flexibility beyond this.
You must include a written explanation of why you let your status lapse — a weak or missing explanation is a common reason for refusal.
Restoration applications generally require a valid PAL unless you're a master's or doctoral student, even if your original application didn't need one.
You must remain in Canada throughout processing — leaving the country while restoration is pending generally voids the application.
The rules for spouses of international students have changed twice since January 2025 — most undergraduate and diploma students' spouses no longer qualify at all.
Only spouses of students in a doctoral program, a master's program of 16 months or longer, or a listed professional degree (law, medicine, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, education) now qualify.
Applications are now refused if the principal student is in their final academic term when IRCC receives the application — this applies to new applications and renewals alike.
College diplomas, general bachelor's degrees, and most certificate programs no longer make a spouse eligible for an open work permit, regardless of institution.
Existing spousal open work permits issued under the old rules remain valid until their original expiry date — they are not being cancelled retroactively.
Spouses of PGWP holders may still qualify for an open work permit if the PGWP holder is actively employed in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
Before you apply: confirm your partner's exact program name and duration against IRCC's current eligible list — a program title that doesn't precisely match the approved category is one of the most common reasons these applications are refused.
Note: IRCC updated its fee schedule on 30 April 2026 and periodically adjusts individual amounts. We confirm the exact live figure that applies to your application before you pay.
Whichever of the five services applies to you, this is how a Hike Visa file moves.
We assess your current status, permit expiry, and which service you actually need — sometimes it's more than one.
Given current processing times, we calculate the latest safe submission date and work backward from there.
We gather enrolment letters, financial proof, PALs, and any explanation letters your case requires.
We submit your online application and arrange biometrics where required, keeping your maintained status intact.
Once a decision is issued, we brief you on your options — whether that's your next permit, PGWP timing, or a PR pathway.
Roughly 157–171 days as of late 2025/2026 — nearly six months. Processing times fluctuate and are updated weekly by IRCC, so we recommend applying at least 4–6 months before your current permit expires.
No, not since 8 November 2024. Changing institutions now requires a full study permit extension application naming your new DLI — you can no longer switch by simply updating your IRCC account online.
You lose your legal status immediately and must stop studying and working. You have 90 days to apply for restoration of status, which costs an additional $246.25 on top of your new permit's fee. After 90 days, restoration is no longer possible and you must leave Canada.
Possibly — 8 months is the minimum eligible program length. Your PGWP would generally be issued for roughly the same length as your program. You must also apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation of completion and meet the current language and field-of-study requirements.
Only if you're enrolled in a doctoral program, a master's program of 16 months or longer, or a listed professional degree (law, medicine, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, education) — and only if you're not in your final academic term. Undergraduate and diploma programs no longer qualify a spouse at all.
Yes, as long as you applied before your current permit expired. This is called maintained status (formerly implied status) — you can continue studying and working under your existing conditions until a decision is made, no matter how long processing takes.
Restoration is no longer available once 90 days have passed. Your general option is to leave Canada and apply for a new permit from outside the country. In specific compelling circumstances, a Temporary Resident Permit may be available, but this is discretionary and not guaranteed — we can assess your specific situation.
Tell us your current status and permit expiry date. We'll tell you plainly which service you need, and how urgently, under the current 2026 rules.
No charge. No obligation. Just honest advice.
