Study permit extension and gap between start of Bachelors

[rose-sh10]

*ASKING FOR SOMEONE*
"Need advice on study permit extension and study gap!

I’m currently finishing my diploma in computer studies in BC, Canada, which will end in April 2025. My study permit is valid until 31st March but I will be applying for an extension soon.

After diploma, I want to apply for a bachelor’s program for which I am eligible in a university in BC, but the intake I’m eligible for is starts in January 2026 (was not eligible for September 2025 because of credits not completed)

That means I will have a study gap from April 2025 to January 2026, and I’m unsure about the best way to maintain my status and stay in Canada legally.

What would be the best option?

1) Enroll in a short certificate program to maintain my full-time student status?
2) Apply for a visitor record or a student record to bridge the gap? note: my country of residency requires me to enter the country every 6 months to maintain the status.
3) Go back to my home country for 6 months and apply for a new study permit (cant live longer due to short timeline and logistics)?
4) Apply for a visitor visa within Canada so I could visit home country for sometime and come back and apply for study permit?

If anyone has gone through a similar situation or has advice on what IRCC considers best in these cases, I’d really appreciate your insights. Thank you!"

 

[canuck78]

*ASKING FOR SOMEONE*
"Need advice on study permit extension and study gap!

I’m currently finishing my diploma in computer studies in BC, Canada, which will end in April 2025. My study permit is valid until 31st March but I will be applying for an extension soon.

After diploma, I want to apply for a bachelor’s program for which I am eligible in a university in BC, but the intake I’m eligible for is starts in January 2026 (was not eligible for September 2025 because of credits not completed)

That means I will have a study gap from April 2025 to January 2026, and I’m unsure about the best way to maintain my status and stay in Canada legally.

What would be the best option?

1) Enroll in a short certificate program to maintain my full-time student status?
2) Apply for a visitor record or a student record to bridge the gap? note: my country of residency requires me to enter the country every 6 months to maintain the status.
3) Go back to my home country for 6 months and apply for a new study permit (cant live longer due to short timeline and logistics)?
4) Apply for a visitor visa within Canada so I could visit home country for sometime and come back and apply for study permit?

If anyone has gone through a similar situation or has advice on what IRCC considers best in these cases, I’d really appreciate your insights. Thank you!"

Apply for the extension ASAP processing is very long. Would personally return home and wait for processing of other study permit if that is an option.

 

[rose-sh10]

Apply for the extension ASAP processing is very long. Would personally return home and wait for processing of other study permit if that is an option.

Yes this person is going to apply for extension in a week, college is still processing the letter required for study permit extension.
so can it be possible that you apply for study permit within Canada and go back home and wait until it processes? Or need to be in Canada when they approve it? Since the person wont he having any sort of permit to get back to Canada once this study permit extension expires?

 

[canuck78]

Yes this person is going to apply for extension in a week, college is still processing the letter required for study permit extension.
so can it be possible that you apply for study permit within Canada and go back home and wait until it processes? Or need to be in Canada when they approve it? Since the person wont he having any sort of permit to get back to Canada once this study permit extension expires?

They should update their address when they leave Canada. It may take 6 months to even get the 1st extension.

 

[idaraesit]

Study permit extension with SOWP
Please I need advice, I submitted my study permit extension application on Jan 8th 2025 and my study permit will be expiring on the 22nd of March 2025 as well as that of my spouse.

I have gotten feedback from other colleagues that submitted 7months now that they haven't gotten any response from IRCC up until now and information I hear is applying separately for the study permit extension is better cos of quick response unlike applying with spouse for open work permit.

My question is can I withdraw my already submitted application and submit a new one for just the study permit extension?
What's the guarantee that I will get a response on time so that my spouse can apply for the SOWP extension and what happens if my spouse is out of status before the extension returns?