Restore Temporary Resident Status in Canada
If your work permit, study permit, or visitor status has expired, you may still be able to restore your temporary resident status — but strict deadlines apply. Ayodele Law assists clients in Toronto, across Canada and virtually with urgent, time-sensitive restoration of status applications.
What Is Restoration of Temporary Resident Status?
A restoration of status application allows a foreign national who has lost their temporary resident status to ask Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to restore it to the status they previously held.
Restoration may apply if your:
Work permit expired
Study permit expired
Visitor status expired
Work or study permit was revoked due to non-compliance
Restoration is not automatic and is different from a permit extension. You must meet specific eligibility criteria and submit a complete application within a strict deadline.
Am I Eligible to Restore My Status?
You may be eligible to apply for restoration if all of the following apply:
Your temporary resident status has expired
You apply within 90 days of losing status
You are physically present inside Canada
You complied with all other permit conditions (aside from the expiry)
You still meet the requirements for the status you are requesting
You are not inadmissible under Canadian immigration law
If more than 90 days have passed since you lost status, restoration is generally not available, and alternative legal options may need to be explored.
Am I Eligible to Restore My Status? Eligibility Checklist
Can I Work or Study While My Restoration Application Is Processing?
No. While a restoration application is pending, you cannot work or study. Doing so can result in refusal and future immigration consequences.
Can I Leave Canada While My Restoration Application Is Pending?
No. If you leave Canada before a decision is made:
Your restoration application will be refused
You will no longer be eligible for restoration
Past non-compliance may affect future admissibility
Why Restoration Applications Are Often Refused
Restoration applications are commonly refused due to:
Missing the 90-day deadline
Weak explanations for status loss
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
Unauthorized work or study after expiry
Failure to meet current permit requirements.
Restoration of Status Government Fees
When applying to restore temporary resident status, applicants must pay a mandatory government restoration fee, along with any applicable permit and biometrics fees. These fees are set by the government and are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
As of now, government fees include:
Restoration of status fee: $229 CAD
Work permit: $155 CAD
Open work permit: $255 CAD
Study permit: $150 CAD
Biometrics (if required): $85 CAD
Additional professional legal fees may apply depending on the complexity and urgency of your situation.
Understanding the 90-Day Restoration Period
In most cases, a foreign national has 90 days from the date they lose temporary resident status to apply for restoration. Missing this deadline usually means restoration is no longer available.
The starting point of the 90-day period depends on how status was lost:
If your permit simply expired, the 90 days begin on the expiry date listed on your work permit, study permit, or visitor record.
If you applied for an extension and it was refused, the 90 days usually begin from the date of refusal indicated in the decision letter.
If an extension application was returned as incomplete, the 90 days generally start from the original permit expiry date.
If you are a student who completed your program, your study permit may only be valid for 90 days after program completion, even if the printed expiry date is later.
During the restoration period, you must remain physically inside Canada.
Important Restrictions During the Restoration Period
While a restoration application is pending:
You cannot work
You cannot study
You cannot leave Canada
Working, studying, or leaving Canada before a decision is made can result in refusal and may cause future immigration complications.
Common Situations That Lead to Loss of Status
Many people lose their status unintentionally. Common situations include:
Forgetting to renew a permit before expiry
Having an extension application refused
An application returned as incomplete
Job loss on an employer-specific work permit
Completing a study program without applying for a new status
For students, once a program is completed, a study permit may only remain valid for 90 days, even if the printed expiry date is later.
Restoration vs. Implied Status
This distinction is critical. Implied status only exists if you submitted a new application before your permit expired. If your permit expired first, you are out of status and must apply for restoration.
Restoration vs. implied status comparison
| Eligibility Requirement | What IRCC Requires |
|---|---|
| Status Expired | Your work permit, study permit, or visitor record has expired, or you lost status due to non-compliance. |
| 90-Day Deadline | The restoration application must be submitted within 90 days of the date you lost status. |
| Inside Canada | You must remain physically inside Canada when applying and while the application is processing. |
| Continued Eligibility | You must still meet the requirements for the status you are requesting (visitor, student, or worker). |
| No Inadmissibility | You must not be inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. |
| Implied Status | Restoration of Status |
|---|---|
| Application submitted before permit expiry | Application submitted after status has expired |
|
May continue working or studying (if authorized) |
Cannot work or study while awaiting a decision |
| Status remains valid | Status was lost and must be restored |
Why choose Ayodele Law as your status restoration lawyer
Restoration of temporary resident status is one of the most time-sensitive and technical areas of Canadian immigration law. Missing the 90-day deadline, continuing to work or study without authorization, or submitting an incomplete explanation can permanently affect your ability to remain in Canada. At Ayodele Law, our Toronto-based immigration law firm provides focused, deadline-driven representation for individuals seeking to restore expired work permits, study permits, or visitor status. We carefully assess eligibility, prepare clear and compliant restoration applications, and guide clients through each step to minimize risk and protect their future immigration options. Whether you are looking for a temporary resident status restoration lawyer near you
From Our ClientsTracy made the best decision for my case even though other lawyers recommended otherwise. She gave the best solution and that was indeed the best way. I got it finally and my work permit was extended. I advice you to use their services. They were patient and understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restoration of status is highly time-sensitive and often misunderstood. Below are answers to common questions from individuals whose temporary resident status has expired. If your deadline is approaching or you are unsure of your eligibility, early legal advice matters.
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Yes, in many cases you may be able to restore your temporary resident status if you apply within 90 days of losing it. You must remain physically in Canada and continue to meet the requirements for the status you are requesting. Restoration is not automatic and eligibility depends on your specific circumstances.
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If more than 90 days have passed since your status expired, restoration is usually no longer available. At that point, remaining in Canada without status can create serious immigration consequences, and other legal options may need to be assessed with an immigration lawyer.
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No. Once your status has expired and you are applying for restoration, you cannot work or study until your application is approved and proper authorization is restored. Continuing to work or study during this period can lead to refusal and future immigration issues.
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No. Implied status only applies if you submitted a new application before your permit expired. If your permit expired first, you are out of status and must apply for restoration. During restoration, you do not have the same rights as someone on implied status.
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No. If you leave Canada while your restoration application is in process, it will be refused. You must remain in Canada until a decision is made. Leaving the country may also affect your ability to return.
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While it is possible to apply on your own, restoration applications are highly technical and time-sensitive. Errors such as missing deadlines, weak explanations, or unauthorized work or study can result in refusal. An immigration lawyer can help assess eligibility, prepare a compliant application, and reduce the risk of long-term consequences.