Restore Your Status in Canada: Apply Within 90 Days
If your status in Canada expired, you must stop working or studying. You may be able to restore it if you apply within 90 days of losing it and still meet the rules of your stay. After 90 days you usually must leave Canada and reapply from outside. We check your dates and plan the file before you apply.
since 1991
Can you restore your status?
You may restore your status if you apply within 90 days of losing it, you met the requirements of your stay and the conditions on your expired permit, and you are not a temporary resident permit holder. While you wait, you cannot work or study until IRCC restores your status and issues a new permit (IRCC).
What if more than 90 days have passed?
You usually must leave Canada and reapply from outside if you want to work or study again. Some workers with a province’s open work permit support letter are exempt from the 90 day limit. Read our detailed posts on the 2026 restoration update, restoring status as a visitor and restoring status in general, and our maintained status guide.
Key rules at a glance
- Apply in time: IRCC must receive your restoration application no more than 90 days after your status expired.
- Pay twice: you pay the restoration fee and the fee for the new permit, plus biometrics if asked.
- Family: each family member applies separately and pays their own restoration fee. There is no group rate.
- Students: you need a new PAL or TAL when you restore your status, even at the same school.
Which situation matches yours?
Pick the situation that matches yours below.
Restoring fits if
- It has been 90 days or less since your status expired.
- You did not work or study without authorization, and you met your permit conditions.
- You are inside Canada and still want to stay.
Another route fits if
- You still have time: apply to extend and keep maintained status.
- You want a different category: read the change of status guide.
- It has been more than 90 days: check inadmissibility and refusals and talk to us before you leave.
See the Temporary residence hub, the visitor record guide and the work permits hub.
If your status problem also makes you inadmissible, see our temporary resident permit guide.
Why restoration applications fail
Five problems cause most trouble. Source: IRCC.
Applied after 90 days
IRCC must receive your application within 90 days of losing status. Count from the date your status expired, not the date you noticed.
Worked or studied while out of status
You must meet the requirements of your stay and the conditions of your expired permit.
Missing PAL for students
Students need a new PAL or TAL to restore status. A missing PAL can stop the file.
TRP holder
Temporary resident permit holders are not eligible to restore under this process.
Unclear explanation
Explain what happened and why you stayed. Add proof of your plan, such as a job offer or school letter.
Lost status and short on time?
We check your dates and build a clear restoration file fast.
Deadlines you cannot miss
90 days, not 91
Your application must be received no more than 90 days after your status expired. If you apply online, submit before midnight UTC on the last day.
You must stop working or studying as soon as you lose status. Do not start again until IRCC restores your status and issues the new permit.
If your spouse or children also lost status, each person must apply on their own application and pay their own restoration fee.
Documents to gather
Use the guide and checklist for your category. Start with these.
How to restore status, step by step
Six stages from your expiry date to your decision.
Count your 90 days
Start from the day your status expired.
Stop work or study
Do not work or study until restored.
Pick the category
Worker, student or visitor.
Apply and select restore
Choose Restore my status and add your explanation.
Pay both fees
Restoration fee plus the permit fee.
Stay in Canada
Wait for the decision and the new permit.
Restoration costs
From IRCC pages. Last updated: October 2026.
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Restore status FAQs
What does restoring status mean?
It means asking IRCC to reinstate your temporary resident status after it expired or lapsed. If approved, you get a new permit and your status is extended to a set date.
How long do I have to restore my status?
90 days from the day your status expired. IRCC must receive your application within that window. After 90 days you usually must leave Canada and reapply from outside.
Who can restore their status?
Workers, students and visitors who apply within 90 days, met the requirements of their stay and the conditions of their expired permit, and are not temporary resident permit holders.
Can I work or study while I wait?
No. You must stop working or studying when you lose status. You cannot work or study until IRCC restores your status and issues the new permit.
How much does it cost?
IRCC lists a restoration fee of CAD$246.25, plus the permit fee: CAD$155 for a work permit or CAD$150 for a study permit. Biometrics cost CAD$85 if needed. Check the IRCC fee list.
Can my family restore with me?
Each family member applies separately and pays their own restoration fee. There is no group or family rate.
Do students need a new PAL?
Yes. You need a new PAL or TAL when you apply to restore your status as a student, even at the same school and level.
Can I restore my status as a visitor?
A worker or student who lost status may be able to restore as a visitor within 90 days. Read our restoring status as a visitor post and the visitor record guide.
What if it has been more than 90 days?
You usually must leave Canada and reapply from outside. Some workers with a participating province’s open work permit support letter are exempt from the 90 day limit.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. IRCC says there is no guarantee that your application will be approved. A clear explanation and strong proof help.
How is restoration different from maintained status?
Maintained status applies if you applied before your status expired. Restoration applies after it expired. Read our maintained status guide.
What if my restoration is refused?
You may need to leave Canada. You can ask the Federal Court to review the decision, but deadlines are short. See our work permit refused guide.