Status restoration
Need to restore your status in Canada?
If you've lost worker, student or visitor status in Canada, you have a 90-day window to apply for restoration. Move quickly — and apply for the right kind of status.
Restoration of status is a one-time second chance to legalize your stay in Canada after your permit expires. It is not automatic and it is not guaranteed — IRCC reviews each application on its merits. The 90-day clock starts the day your previous status ended.
Work permit ending soon? See your options in 2 minutes.
Answer a few short questions to get an informational overview. This is not legal advice and does not confirm eligibility — it's a starting point for a consultation with a licensed RCIC.
Informational tool only. Not legal advice and not a determination of eligibility. For a professional review, book a consultation with a licensed RCIC.
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- Consultation-ready summary
Pathways you may qualify for
Most common — restores legal stay so you can plan PR or a new work/study permit. You cannot work or study while on visitor status.
Available only if you have a new LMIA or LMIA-exempt job offer. Restoration and the new work permit are typically filed together.
Available with a valid Letter of Acceptance and proof of funds.
When restoration is not available — for established applicants with significant Canadian ties or hardship considerations.
Mistakes that close doors
- Day 91 onward, restoration is no longer available. You must leave Canada to reapply.
- Working or studying during the restoration period is unauthorized — it adds an inadmissibility risk on top of being out of status.
- Misrepresenting facts on a restoration application can trigger a 5-year ban.
- An incomplete restoration application that gets rejected does not stop the 90-day clock.
Alternative routes worth reviewing
- Leave Canada before day 90 and reapply for a permit from abroad — sometimes the cleaner option.
- File a TRP (Temporary Resident Permit) if there's a compelling reason to be in Canada despite inadmissibility.
- Pursue family sponsorship if eligible — inland sponsorship can include an open work permit.
- H&C application when other options are exhausted and there are strong establishment / best-interest factors.
When to talk to a licensed RCIC
- Your permit expired more than 30 days ago and you haven't filed anything.
- You're not sure whether to restore as a visitor, worker or student.
- You worked or studied after your permit expired (even briefly).
- You're past day 90 and still in Canada.
- You have a removal order, deportation history, or previous refusals.
Not sure what to do next? Let's review your options.
Free 15-minute consultation with our licensed RCIC team. No obligation. We'll tell you what's actually possible — not just what's marketable.
Common questions
How long do I have to apply for restoration?+
90 days from the day your previous status expired. The deadline is strict.
Can I work or study during restoration?+
No. Once your permit expires you lose the right to work or study, and restoration does not restore those rights until a new permit is issued.
How much does restoration cost?+
The IRCC restoration fee is CAD $239.75 (as of 2026) on top of the underlying permit fee. Use the IRCC fee list for current amounts.
Will restoration affect my future applications?+
A successful restoration is not held against you. A refusal — or proof of unauthorized work — can be raised in future PR and permit applications.
What if I'm already past the 90 days?+
You cannot restore. Options are typically: leave Canada and reapply from abroad, apply for a TRP if there's a compelling reason to stay despite inadmissibility, or file an H&C application.
Can I leave Canada and come back while my restoration is pending?+
Generally no — leaving Canada is treated as abandoning the application, and you may not be allowed to re-enter without a valid permit.
Get a written plan before your next deadline.
A licensed RCIC reviews your file, identifies viable pathways and gives you a personalized immigration strategy — in writing.
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Disclaimer: Information only, not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Paid Canadian immigration advice or representation is provided only by authorized representatives (CICC-licensed RCIC or a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial law society).