Study Permit, Work Permit and Visas
To study in Canada students require to have a valid Study Permit at all times, if you want to work off campus you require a Work Permit, and if you leave Canada and want to return you must have a valid TRV (entry visa).
There are 2 methods to renew your Study Permit, Temporary Resident Visa, and work permit. You can either apply online or apply by mail.
To apply online, you will need to create and log in through the GCKey below:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp
When you first login to your account, you will be asked if you have a Client ID. This is the 8 digit number located above the expiry date on your study permit.
As soon as you finish entering in your security questions, you will see an option that says “Apply Online”. Once you click this you will be asked for a personal checklist code, if you do not have this then you must click on the sentence in blue below which states “Don’t have a personal checklist code?”
Depending on what you are renewing you will need specific documentation, please refer below for further instructions and to find out what documents you need to apply.
Study Permit
A Study Permit is the document attached to your passport that allows you to study in Canada, your Entry Visa is a sticker in your passport and it is this that allows you to enter Canada.
You can and should renew your Study Permit from within Canada. The cost to renew a Study Permit is $125.00. Ideally you want to renew your Study Permit 90-30 days before it expires.
Once you have received the new Study Permit, you must bring it to the ISC to update your files. Failure to comply will affect your chances to register for the next semester
As soon as you get to the supporting documents page, you will need to download and complete the IMM5709, generate the barcode, and then upload the PDF file. Do not worry about not having signed the application form, you will need to declare your information before you transmit and pay.
Documents you need to scan when renewing your Study Permit (checklist):
Temporary Resident Visa (Entry Visa)
A Study Permit is what allows you to study in Canada, your Entry Visa is what allows you to enter Canada. If you are going to be leaving Canada and your visa has expired you should renew it before you leave. You also need to make sure that both your passport and study permit are not going to expire within the next 6 months of applying.
If you are going to be travelling, to any country other than the USA, you will want to renew your entry visa approximately two months before leaving. The renewal process generally takes 3-4 weeks for the request to be processed and returned to you.
As soon as you get to the supporting documents page, you will need to download and complete the IMM5257, generate the barcode, and then upload the PDF file. Do not worry about not having signed the application form, you will need to declare your information before you transmit and pay.
Documents you need to scan when renewing your Entry Visa (checklist):
Once CIC has approved your application, they will send a message to your CIC account with a PDF file. You need to print out the PDF file and send it with your passport to the designated address. You will need to purchase two prepaid Xpresspost – Regional envelopes at any Canada Post retail outlet.