EXTENDED TIMELINE TO RESTORE LOST STATUS

Visitors and study or work permit holders in Canada normally have 90 days after their temporary immigration status expires to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to restore it.

As a result of the pandemic and its associated challenges, a new public policy has been implemented that provides an extension to apply for restoration beyond the current 90-day timeframe for foreign nationals in Canada. 

Former workers, students and visitors whose status expired after January 30, 2020, and who remained in Canada will now have until December 31, 2020, to apply to restore their status, provided they meet the requirements for the type of status and authorization they are applying to restore

The public policy also allows former work-permit holders applying for an employer-specific work permit to work while a decision on their restoration application is pending