Urgent Help: Study Permit Extension

[Nm1963]

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student currently studying in Canada and I really need some advice regarding my status and next steps. My study permit expires in few days, i didnt realize it earlier. Here’s my situation:

I was enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program at a DLI from September to December 2024 (Fall semester).

I was granted an approved unscheduled break from January to April 2025 by my institution.

The Spring semester started May 5, 2025, but:

I am not able to register due to a financial hold on my student account. Also, there are no courses offered this term for my specific program.

My current study permit expires in 5 days.

I was planning to resume full-time studies in Fall 2025, but I’m unsure how to maintain my legal status until then. I’m considering applying for a Visitor Record, and I’m also in common law relationship so my partner may want to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), she is on her last semester of Master's and her study permit extension is still under process — I’m not sure if I’m eligible given I’m not currently enrolled.

I have the approved leave letter from my school and proof of the course unavailability.

My questions:

1. Can I apply for a Visitor Record and stay in Canada until Fall 2025 legally? Apply for study permit once i register for courses in Fall 2025

2. Will my spouse still be eligible to apply for a SOWP even if I’m not currently enrolled? What are the implications?

3. Is it better to apply for study permit extension using my fall 2024 enrollment letter?

4. In general, what would be the best coyrse of action?

Any advice, experiences, or suggestions would be really appreciated. I want to make sure I stay in status and handle this correctly.

Thanks in advance!

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student currently studying in Canada and I really need some advice regarding my status and next steps. My study permit expires in few days, i didnt realize it earlier. Here’s my situation:

I was enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program at a DLI from September to December 2024 (Fall semester).

I was granted an approved unscheduled break from January to April 2025 by my institution.

The Spring semester started May 5, 2025, but:

I am not able to register due to a financial hold on my student account. Also, there are no courses offered this term for my specific program.

My current study permit expires in 5 days.

I was planning to resume full-time studies in Fall 2025, but I’m unsure how to maintain my legal status until then. I’m considering applying for a Visitor Record, and I’m also in common law relationship so my partner may want to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), she is on her last semester of Master's and her study permit extension is still under process — I’m not sure if I’m eligible given I’m not currently enrolled.

I have the approved leave letter from my school and proof of the course unavailability.

My questions:

1. Can I apply for a Visitor Record and stay in Canada until Fall 2025 legally? Apply for study permit once i register for courses in Fall 2025

2. Will my spouse still be eligible to apply for a SOWP even if I’m not currently enrolled? What are the implications?

3. Is it better to apply for study permit extension using my fall 2024 enrollment letter?

4. In general, what would be the best coyrse of action?

Any advice, experiences, or suggestions would be really appreciated. I want to make sure I stay in status and handle this correctly.

Thanks in advance!

Wait for others to respond as well but here are my thoughts:

1) I don't think this is the right path. To the best of my knowledge, you can't apply for a new study permit as a visitor in Canada. You would also need a new PAL, etc.
2) Not eligible
3) You can't use your fall 2024 letter. You need a letter from your school confirming that you will be restarting your studies in the fall. You'll also want to show proof of funds.

 

[Nm1963]

Wait for others to respond as well but here are my thoughts:

1) I don't think this is the right path. To the best of my knowledge, you can't apply for a new study permit as a visitor in Canada. You would also need a new PAL, etc.
2) Not eligible
3) You can't use your fall 2024 letter. You need a letter from your school confirming that you will be restarting your studies in the fall. You'll also want to show proof of funds.

Thank you for your response, I appreciate you taking time to answer in detail. I'd just like to clarify one thing, I don't think I phrased my second question properly. What I meant to say was will I (not my spouse) be eligible to apply for SOWP (based on the fact my spouse is currently enrolled in a Master’s program that fulfils the eligibility criteria for me to apply as a spouse for SOWP)? Hoping to hear from you

 

[scylla]

Thank you for your response, I appreciate you taking time to answer in detail. I'd just like to clarify one thing, I don't think I phrased my second question properly. What I meant to say was will I (not my spouse) be eligible to apply for SOWP (based on the fact my spouse is currently enrolled in a Master’s program that fulfils the eligibility criteria for me to apply as a spouse for SOWP)? Hoping to hear from you

Is your partner's Master's program 16 months or longer in duration?

 

[Nm1963]

Yes, her Master's program duration is 24 months

 

[scylla]

Yes, her Master's program duration is 24 months

Then it sounds like you qualify and can apply assuming you have the evidence to show at least one year of continuous cohabitation.

 

[Nm1963]

Then it sounds like you qualify and can apply assuming you have the evidence to show at least one year of continuous cohabitation.

Thank you for responding.
I have one more question for you. I've been looking through the documents required for the application and I have a slight confusion about one thing. Will we need to show proof of funds as part of the SOWP application?

 

[scylla]

Thank you for responding.
I have one more question for you. I've been looking through the documents required for the application and I have a slight confusion about one thing. Will we need to show proof of funds as part of the SOWP application?

Yes