Restoration of Status Canada — Recover Lost TR Status Within 90 Days

If your visitor, study, or work permit has expired and you didn't extend in time, you have a 90-day window to apply for Restoration of Status. This page covers eligibility, the application process, fees, what you CAN'T do during restoration, and why timing is everything.

What restoration is — and isn't

Restoration of Status allows a foreign national in Canada who has lost their temporary resident status to apply to recover that status — within 90 days of status loss. If granted, your TR status is "restored" as if you'd extended in time.

Restoration is NOT:

• Permission to work or study during the 90 days (you have NO authorization)
• A right (IRCC can refuse)
• Available for PR status (different framework)
• An appeal mechanism (if denied, no further appeal)

Who can apply for restoration

• You were a temporary resident (visitor, student, worker) with valid status
• Your status expired OR you violated a permit condition
• You are still in Canada
• You apply within 90 days of status loss
• You meet the requirements of the original permit type
• You are otherwise admissible to Canada

Three restoration scenarios

Visitor → restored visitor (visitor record)

Most common scenario: visa-exempt or visa-required visitor's authorized stay expired. Apply for visitor record + restoration. Fee: CAD $239 restoration + CAD $100 visitor record = $339 total + biometrics if applicable.

Student → restored study permit

Study permit expired; student didn't apply for extension in time. Apply for new study permit + restoration. Fee: CAD $239 + $150 study permit + biometric fee = $389+ total. Cannot study during the 90-day window.

Worker → restored work permit

Work permit expired; worker didn't extend in time. Apply for new work permit + restoration. Fee: CAD $239 + $155 work permit + $100 open work permit holder fee (if open) + biometric fee = $494+ total. Cannot work during the 90-day window.

What you CAN'T do during restoration

• Cannot work — even if applying to restore a work permit
• Cannot study — even if applying to restore a study permit
• Cannot leave Canada and return on the expired permit — leaving Canada generally voids the restoration option

The application process

1. Apply within 90 days of status loss — via IRCC online portal (or rarely paper)
2. Pay fees — restoration fee + permit type fee + applicable extras
3. Submit supporting documents — passport, expired permit, explanation letter, reason for status loss
4. Biometrics if requested
5. IRCC processes — typically 60-120 days for visitor record, longer for study/work permits
6. If approved, new permit is issued — backdated to consider your status as continuous (if before status loss + restoration application)
7. If refused, leave Canada — no further appeal

Concurrent applications during restoration

You can also apply for "implied status" or "maintained status" via the new application during restoration. If you applied for a fresh permit (e.g., work permit based on new LMIA) before status expiry, you may be on maintained status — restoration not needed. See Maintained Status guide.

What if 90 days has passed?

You can no longer apply for restoration. Options:

1. Leave Canada voluntarily — preferred. Re-apply from outside Canada with a new visa/permit application. Be prepared to explain the overstay in future applications.
2. H&C application — humanitarian + compassionate consideration. Available in limited circumstances (best interests of children, hardship). Very selective.
3. Refugee claim — if you have credible fear of persecution. Different legal track entirely.
4. If CBSA encounters you — they may issue a removal order. You can challenge removal at the IAD or pursue PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment).

Common restoration scenarios

• International student forgot to apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation
• Worker's LMIA renewal was delayed; work permit expired before new permit applied
• Visitor extended longer than their authorized stay (e.g., 6 months) without applying for extension
• Spouse-Open-Work-Permit holder lost spouse's status (e.g., spouse's PGWP expired)

Common restoration mistakes

• Continuing to work or study during the 90-day window — adds violations to the case
• Missing the 90-day deadline by even a day
• Insufficient explanation for status loss — IRCC wants to understand why this happened
• Leaving Canada during restoration period (generally voids the application)
• Not addressing the original reason for status loss (e.g., expired LMIA, study program issues)

FAQ

Related: Maintained Status · Status extension · Restoration refused