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 limited 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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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
- Past day 90, restoration is generally no longer available and you would have to leave Canada to reapply. IRCC publishes one narrow exception: foreign workers who hold an open work permit support letter from a participating province or territory are exempt from the 90-day limit.
- 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?+
IRCC charges $246.25 to restore status, on top of the underlying permit fee. That means $246.25 to restore as a visitor, $401.25 to restore as a worker (including the $155 work permit), and $396.25 to restore as a student. Always confirm against the current IRCC fee list.
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.
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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).
Quick answer
What is restoration of status in Canada?
Restoration of status is an application to regain valid temporary resident status after it has expired. It must be filed within 90 days of losing status, with the restoration fee and the fee for the permit being restored. Work and study must stop while restoration is pending. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may refuse restoration even when the application is filed on time.
Quick summary
Restoration applies to expired visitor, worker or student status. The application must be submitted within 90 days of losing status, the applicant must still meet the original permit requirements, and the applicant must remain in Canada. Work and study are not authorised during restoration. Fees include the restoration fee plus the permit fee. Approval is discretionary. After 90 days, restoration is unavailable and the person is expected to leave Canada.
Key takeaways
- Restoration must be filed within 90 days of losing temporary resident status.
- The applicant must remain in Canada throughout the restoration process.
- Work and study are not authorised while restoration is pending.
- Fees include both a restoration fee and the fee for the permit being restored.
- The applicant must still meet the requirements of the original permit.
- Restoration is discretionary and can be refused.
- After 90 days without status, restoration is no longer available.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I work while restoration is pending?
- No. Work and study must stop as soon as status is lost, and may only resume once a new permit is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- What happens after 90 days without status?
- Restoration is no longer available. The person is expected to leave Canada, and remaining without status can affect future applications.
- Is restoration guaranteed if I apply on time?
- No. Filing within 90 days makes an applicant eligible to be considered, but IRCC decides each restoration application on its merits.
Key terms explained
- Restoration of status
- An IRCC application to regain temporary resident status lost within the previous 90 days, filed together with the underlying permit or visitor record request.
Continue with Restore Status
- Out of statusWhat to do when the 90-day window has closed.
- Work permit expiryFiling before expiry avoids restoration entirely.
- Visitor to workerMoving between statuses without a gap.
- Options to stay in CanadaThe full menu of status and PR routes.
- Canada immigration eligibility checkerFind the permanent route that ends the status problem.
- Book an urgent consultationRestoration is strictly time-limited.
Your next step
Last reviewed on August 3, 2026 by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at CAN-MIGRATE.
Official reference: IRCC — Restore your status
This page is general information, not legal advice. Program rules change — confirm details with IRCC or book a consultation before you apply.
Requirements marked as official reflect published IRCC guidance. Recommendations reflect our RCIC team's professional judgement. Explanations are editorial context and are not legal advice.
We re-review this page when:
- IRCC changes program requirements
- Processing times change significantly