Hello, Im year 3 in university with a study permit. Last year in spring when schools became online due to covid I was unable to keep taking courses at university. The reason for this is I have very few courses left to finish and they were very hard to get into online, they would fill up very quickly after enrolment. The problem is that I have stayed here without taking courses at my university and have recently learned that this was reported by my university. The reason I stayed is that my country has one of the worst cases of covid outbreaks and I would live with my elderly parents back home. I was also anxious to travel during covid-19. At the immigration website I saw that there are accomodations for covid-19 and that I can apply to restore my status. I am making my application for restoration atm. How bad of a situation am I in with overstaying? Should I contact a lawyer? What are the chances that I wont be able to get a study permit again?
Study Permit Violation due to covid
- Thread starter bird120246
- Start date
How long have you overstayed? And as you took time off, did you submit request for time off because of the missed spot during course registration? How long have you been without attending class and what were you doing? Sorry for lots of question, im concerned this happened on your 3rd year
I couldn't take my courses for the past two semesters and I've been in Canada all that time so since last september. I didn't know I had to submit a request for that so I didnt. I haven't been doing anything, I did not work if thats what you are asking. I was waiting for a chance to return home and trying to take my courses during this time. Thank you for your help and your concern I really appreciate it
I think right now I am considered "Out of status". I haven't been doing anything as I said. My school reported me on december and I dont know if my study permit is cancelled or not but I am assuming it was cancelled on december when my university reported me. By accomodations I mean stuff on this page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/restoration-extension-trv.html
On paper it expired on 24th April but I think it must have been cancelled when my university reported me on decemer.
Yes - IRCC has likely canceled your visa since your school reported you per standard process.
Yes - you would need to apply to restore your status if you want to fix this.
Once you dropped out of school, you should have applied to change your status to visitor.
If you aren't leaving now, I would recommend you apply to restore your status with an explanation of what has happened.
Yes, overstays can impact future visa approvals.
Thank you for your help. What are the chances that I will be denied my study permit? I am applying for restoration now and I will explain my situation to the best of my ability. Do you think you should get legal help?
None of us here can give you the chances.
Whether you hire legal help or not is up to you and how comfortable (or not) you feel doing this one your own.
Good luck.
You are not sure if it was cancelled or not, or your University reported you after missing a semester. However Schools are required to report to the Immigration twice a year. But one thing for sure is you are out of status now as your permit is expired.
I dont know why you waited until it expired knowing that University reported you back in December. If yes they did and Immigration cancelled your Study permit, you are supposed to leave. If gaps between studies is beyond 150days, again you are not considered as actively pursuing your studies, which means violations of your study permit.
when you apply for the restoration you need to provide reasons as why you are out of status and they give you visitor records with conditions. Lets assume they do, then you need to apply your SP, now the question is from the same DLI that reported you???? I guess you are no longer student to them... thats a waste of 3years
you need good lawyer, all the best.
What do you mean a waste of 3 years? Can't I return to my studies if I manage to get my study permit back?
You can do that. But you won't qualify for a PGWP afterwards unless you start and complete a brand new program. To qualify for a PGWP, your studies need to be continuous.
I was hoping to do post-graduate, PGWP is not a priority for me at the moment. I just want to get my study permit back and finish my studies. What are the odds that I can do that?