Important Updates:
January 1, 2024 | The proof of funds required for a study permit has changed as of January 1, 2024 from $10,000 to $20,635 for a single applicant for 2024. The cost-of-living amount for study permit applications will be adjusted on a yearly basis based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off (LICO). Review the December 23, 2023 news release here. Review the IRCC website here to review the proof of funds requirement. |
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November 8, 2024 | As of November 8, 2024, students must apply and be approved for a new study permit before changing designated learning institutions (DLIs). You do not need to apply for a new study permit if you change programs at Trent University. Review the November 15, 2024 IRCC news release here. Review the IRCC website here for information on changing your school of program. |
Step 1: Understand study permit extension process
Prepare |
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When to apply | We recommend applying 4-6 months prior to expiry. |
Your passport | Your Canadian immigration documents cannot be issued beyond the length of your valid passport. You may need to renew your passport prior to extending your study permit. |
Application fees | $150.00CAD for application $85.00CAD biometrics fee, if applicable |
Processing time | Refer to the IRCC website for study permit extension processing times. |
How to apply |
Must apply from within Canada. Apply online through an IRCC Secure Account. Note: the application must be submitted through an IRCC Secure Account, study permit extensions cannot be submitted through the new "IRCC Portal" |
Documents | Review the document checklist here. |
Application form required | Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM5709] form |
Guide | Review our step-by-step application guide here. |
After you apply | Remain in Canada to maintain your status. |
Step 2: Gather documents & fees
Document Checklist | Review the document checklist here. |
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Verification of enrollment letter |
IRCC requires a letter which confirms your enrollment at Trent and states your anticipated graduation date (to know when to extend your study permit to). Do not provide IRCC with your original letter of acceptance. Undergraduate > myTrent > Register > International Immigration Letter. Questions? Email international@trentu.ca. Postgraduate Certificate > myTrent > Register > International Immigration Letter. Questions? Email international@trentu.ca. Graduate > myTrent > Academics > Academic Record > Verification of Enrollment Request (graduate students). Questions? Email graduate@trentu.ca. |
Proof of financial support |
IRCC is seeking proof you have the funds for the following:
IRCC has a list of acceptable documents here. *If you only have a term left to graduate, divide requirement in half or pro-rate it based on time remaining. If you have parental or sponsorship support: include letters from sponsors written in English explaining who they are in relationship to you and show proof of relationship to the sponsor. You can prove your relationship in different ways: you can show a copy of your birth certificate (or passport if it states parental information), copy of passport of sponsor, and/or letter of explanation. Your sponsor will want to confirm they will be financially responsible for your tuition fees and/or living expenses in Canada and show proof they have these funds. We recommend including your Trent Account Statement if there is no balance owing > myTrent > Finances> My Account > Account Statement. If you have more than one source of financial support, include a cover letter to summarize for IRCC. Download a template here. Combine all into one document (max file size is 4mb). |
Digital copy of your current passport | Include copy of information pages, and any page with stamp, visa, or markings (from any country/territory). If taking photos of your documents, insert them into one word document (download template here) and save as a PDF. If you have a cancelled passport with valid immigration documents, include copies of this passport as well. |
Digital photo | Visit the IRCC website to determine the photo specifications. |
Application form | Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM5709] form |
Biometrics (if applicable) |
May be required so submit biometrics if yours are not valid or you have not completed within the last 10 years for an application to come to Canada. Check validity of biometrics here. |
Immigration medical exam (if applicable) |
Required to submit immigration medical exam if you have lived outside Canada in certain countries/territories for more than 6 months in the last year OR if you intend to work with vulnerable peoples who are at risk - such as in a medical setting, teachers of small children, etc. If you require a medical exam, you may be exempt if you meet this criteria and can provide a copy of your previous medical exam. Learn more here. If you do not complete the exam, your study permit will have conditions which will not allow you to work in these types of jobs. Temporary exemption (expires Oct 5, 2029): If you completed an IME within 5 years of submitting your new application, you may be exempt from completing another IME if you meet all of these conditions:
You will have to prove this exemption by providing a letter of explanation to IRCC with your application and indicate your previous IME number (or the unique medical identifier number) from your previous IME. Find a template here. |
Dependent family member documents | When applying to extend your study permit, you can also submit applications for your dependent family members already in Canada. |
Letter of explanation |
A letter of explanation is way to describe additional factors or include additional documents in your Canadian immigration applications. A letter of explanation is required to explain any gap in your studies, part-time studies, or anything unusual about your studies. Upload your Letter of Explanation under 'Client Information' in the 'Optional Documents' section of your online document checklist on your IRCC Secure Account. Find a template letter of explanation here. |
Fees |
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Step 3: Complete application form IMM5709
Ensure you have Adobe Reader | Get the latest version of Acrobat Reader. You need the free version of Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher to open IMM forms. |
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Download form |
Save the IMM5709 application form on your computer. To download the file, right-click on the link and select “Save as.” After you download the form, open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Find instructions on the IRCC website or watch this helpful video. |
Complete form | Visit the IRCC website and scroll down to "Complete the form" > "show instructions" to review instructions on how to complete the IMM5709 application form. |
IMM5709 tips |
Section 1 I am applying for one or more of the following: Apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit Personal details Languages: National Identity Document: Contact Information: Coming into Canada: If applicable, provide the document number of the most recent immigration document issued to you: This a a 9-digit number in black writing at the top right of your study permit starting with F (e.g. F012345678). Details of intended study: Duration of expected study: Date completing the application to form and to your anticipated graduation date (located on your verification of enrolment from Trent). The cost of my studies will be: Background information |
Step 4: Start online application
Login/Create IRCC Account | Login to IRCC Secure Account through GCKey or Sign-in Partner |
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Start an application | Once logged in, scroll to the section titled "start an application" and click "apply to come to Canada". You will be asked to enter a Personal Reference Code. If you do not already have a code, go to the section, "I do not have a Personal Reference Code" and click on "visitor visa, study and/or work permit" > begin questionnaire to determine your eligibility. Answer the questions that follow truthfully. After answering questionnaire, you be provided with a list of applications you may be eligible to submit > select "Study permit (in Canada)" > Click continue to complete the questionnaire to populate your student checklist. |
Eligibility questionnaire |
What would you like to do in Canada? Study How long are you planning to stay in Canada: Answer according to your situation. The majority of students are looking for an extension of more than six months. Select the code that matches the one on your passport: Answer according to your circumstances. What is your current country/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada. Canada Do you have a family member or permanent resident that is 18 years or older? Answer according to your circumstances. Family member is defined as a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children and their dependent children. What is your date of birth? Answer according to your circumstances. Do you have a provincial attestation letter? No Do you qualify for an exception? Yes Which exception do you qualify for? Students who are currently in Canada applying to extend their study permit choose: I am an applicant who meets another exception listed on the IRCC website. Are you a lawful permanent resident of the United States with a valid alien registration card (Green Card)? Answer according to your circumstances. What is your current immigration status in Canada? Student What is your marital status? Answer according to your circumstances. What is your province of destination? If visiting multiple provinces, select the one in which you will be spending most of your time: Ontario |
Select "study permit (in Canada" application | |
Populate document checklist |
After selecting the application for "study permit (in Canada)" you will answer a series of questions to populate your personalized document checklist. Your document checklist is where you upload the documents relevant to the application. Are you accompanying a family member who has status in Canada? Answer according to your circumstances. Accompanying you means that you are arriving in Canada come to Canada at the same time as you. Do you also want to apply for a work permit Answer according to your circumstances. If your program has a required work component you can apply. If you are applying for co-op work permit while you are applying for the study permit extension, you can choose “Yes, I wish to apply for a co-op work permit.” When does your status in Canada expire? Answer according to your circumstances. You need a valid study permit at the time of application. Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months? Answer Yes/No according to your circumstances. Have you lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the last year? Only answer “yes” if you have lived outside of Canada for more than six months in the last year. Do you want to submit an application for a family member? Answer Yes/No according to your circumstances. You can expect more questions about your dependent family members if you answer “Yes.” Are you giving someone access to your application? Answer according to your circumstances. There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt? Yes, I will be paying my application fees. Are you able to make a digital copy of your documents with a scanner or camera? Yes Will you be paying your application fees online? Yes. To pay online, you can use a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, China Union Pay) or a debit card (Visa Debit, Debit MasterCard or Interac). |
Upload required documents |
Upload your required documents into the space provided in your Document Checklist. |
Step 5: Submit application & pay fees
Application submission |
Once required documents are uploaded successfully, a blue next button will appear below the fees.
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Pay fees |
Once you have paid the fees, you will get confirmation of fees paid successfully.
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Print receipt | Print a receipt for your own records. |
Ensure successful submission | Log back into your IRCC Secure Account and ensure you locate the submitted application in the "applications submitted" section. You will be able to click on the application to see any status updates. |
Step 6: After applying
Receive Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) | After submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) confirming IRCC has received your application. |
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Maintained Status | Once you have applied to extend your study permit, prior to the expiry date, you have maintained status and can continue your studies/work as per the conditions of your original study permit until you obtain a decision on your application from IRCC. Do not leave Canada while awaiting your new status document! You will lose your maintained status. |
Processing time | Study permit extensions typically can take 2-4 months to process. Sometimes longer depending on the application volume. You can find processing times here. If your application exceeds the processing times stated when you applied, reach out to us and we can guide you on how to connect with IRCC. |
Update mailing address | If you need to update your mailing address prior to your study permit extension application being approved, you can submit a request through the IRCC webform. Select "update contact information. |
Have questions about your application? | If you have problems with your online application, please contact the Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or refer to detailed information on Immigration Canada’s PGWP webpage. |
Step 7: Application decision
Notification of application decision | Once a decision has been made on your study permit extension application, IRCC will notify you through your IRCC account. Your new study permit will be mailed to the address indicated in your application form (IMM5709). |
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New entry document | Once your study permit extension application is approved, you may need to apply for a new entry document: entry visa or eTA. |
Social Insurance Number | Once you obtain the hard copy of your study permit, you can go extend the validity on your Social Insurance Number (SIN) at the nearest Service Canada Centre. |
Have additional questions?
Email us | Have a question about the application, eligibility, or want us to review your application prior to submission? Email us at internationladvising@trentu.ca. |
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Book an appointment | Book an appointment > Student Experience Portal > Appointment Bookings > Trent International > International Student Advising |
Contact IRCC | If you have problems with your online application, please contact the Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or refer to detailed information on Immigration Canada’s PGWP webpage. |
Disclaimer
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.