A student whose study permit was expiring at the end of August asked whether applying for an extension in March would be too early, and was concerned about the long processing time if they wanted to travel home and return to Canada.
What the group advised:- Apply at least 60 days before your permit expires. Others reported getting decisions anywhere from 45 days to about 2 months after applying, so applying early gives you a buffer.
- A study permit extension alone does not cover re-entry to Canada. If you plan to leave and come back, you'll also need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter — the study permit extension does not replace it.
- TRV processing takes time too — roughly 30 days for approval plus another 15–20 days for stamping/passport processing, so factor this into your travel plans.
Practical takeaway:- Don't wait until close to your permit's expiry date to start the renewal process.
- If travel is part of your plan, apply for both the study permit extension and the TRV renewal, and budget extra weeks for the TRV on top of the extension timeline.
- Processing times can vary, so build in a safety margin rather than cutting it close.