My permit expired and I did nothing what can I do?
Short answer
In Canada, a visitor, worker or student who has lost their temporary resident status may apply to have it restored within 90 days after losing that status (s. 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations).
In detail
Section 182 provides that, “on application made by a visitor, worker or student within 90 days after losing temporary resident status”, an officer shall restore that status if certain conditions are met.
The text requires, among other things, that the person show they met the initial requirements for their stay, that they complied with the other conditions imposed on them, and that they are not the subject of a declaration made under subsection 22.1(1) of the Act.
The 90-day limit is a strict deadline set out in the Regulations, and it runs from the loss of status — in practice, from the expiry date of the permit. Once that period is over, section 182 no longer applies.
What to document
The exact expiry date shown on your permit, whatever explains the delay, and any proof that you were complying with your conditions during your stay (school enrolment, employment contract, statements). Your calculation of the 90th day should be written down and dated, because everything turns on that starting date.
Put your facts in writing, free. Writing your version down early, keeping your documents dated and preparing your questions for a lawyer: the tool is there to document, never to advise.
Open the application Up to 3 files, no card · see the plans
Official sources
Related questions
- How long do I have to apply to restore my status?
- Can I work while my restoration application is being processed?
- What do I have to show to have my status restored?
- How long do I have to challenge an immigration refusal in Federal Court?
- I was refused by an embassy abroad what is my deadline to challenge it?
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What this page is not
This is general legal information about the law of Quebec and Canada, dated and sourced. It is not legal advice, not a strategy, and not a prediction about the outcome of a case. In Quebec, only lawyers and notaries may give legal advice (Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, ss. 128 and 133). Laws and amounts change: the official source always prevails over us.