Restoration of Status in Canada: Processing Time and How to Apply in 2026
- Ansari Immigration
- 28 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Processing time for restoration of status in Canada runs from roughly 91 days for a study permit to around 99 to 180 days for a work permit. You must apply within 90 days of losing your status, stay in Canada, and pay the full restoration fee with your application. Once submitted, you cannot work or study until IRCC approves the restoration and issues any new permit. This article covers what restoration means, how long it takes, and what changed in May 2026.
What is restoration of status in Canada?
Restoration of status is an in-Canada application that lets a foreign national reinstate their temporary resident status after losing it. Common reasons for losing status include a permit that expired while you were still in Canada without extending it, or failing to comply with a condition on your permit such as an authorized employer or study institution.
Restoration is not available at a port of entry or border crossing. You must apply online or by mail from within Canada. If you leave Canada before your application is decided, the restoration application is effectively abandoned.
Processing time for restoration of status in Canada
Current approximate processing times by permit type (as of 2026):
Visitor record restoration: approximately 105 days
Study permit restoration: approximately 91 days
Work permit restoration: approximately 99 to 180 days (longer when an LMIA is required)
IRCC updates processing times regularly. Check the IRCC processing times tool for the current figures before you apply.
If IRCC requests additional documents during processing, the timeline will extend. File a complete application with all supporting documents from the start.
The 90-day rule: your hard deadline
You have exactly 90 days from the day your temporary resident status expired to submit your restoration application and pay the fee. There are no exceptions to this deadline. If you miss the 90-day window, restoration is no longer available and you must leave Canada.
One important detail from the 2026 IRCC guidance update: if you submitted an extension application before your status expired but IRCC returned it as incomplete (without processing it), maintained status does not apply. The 90-day restoration clock runs from when your original authorized stay ended, not from the date you received the incomplete rejection. If you discover your application was returned as incomplete, you may have less time than you realize.
What changed in May 2026: new visitor option for workers and students
IRCC updated its restoration of status guidance effective May 1, 2026, with one significant clarification: workers and students who have lost their status can now clearly restore as visitors, even if they no longer have a job offer or study plans.
Previously, the guidance said an applicant could only restore to the status they held before applying. This left many workers and students uncertain whether they could restore as visitors. The updated guidance removes that ambiguity.
Restoring as a visitor is often faster than restoring a work or study permit because it does not require an LMIA, job offer, or proof of enrollment. If your work permit expired, you no longer have a qualifying employer, and you are within the 90-day window, restoring as a visitor may be the most practical option. You can then apply for a new work permit once your visitor status is restored, or explore other pathways such as Express Entry if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Who qualifies and who does not
You are generally eligible for restoration of status if you:
are physically in Canada when you apply
are out of status at the time of application
apply and pay the fee within 90 days of losing status
meet the requirements for the status you want to restore to
You are generally not eligible if you:
worked or studied in Canada without authorization during the period of lost status
hold a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP holders must apply for a new TRP instead)
Restoration is highly discretionary. IRCC officers assess each case individually and approval is not guaranteed.
Fees for restoration of status in Canada (2026)
The restoration process involves two fees: the restoration fee itself, plus the fee for any underlying permit you are restoring to. Current IRCC fees apply at the time of application. Confirm the exact amounts on the IRCC website before submitting, as fees can change. The fee must be paid as part of your application within the 90-day window. It cannot be corrected or submitted separately after the fact.
What to do while your application is being processed
Once you submit a valid restoration application and pay the fee within 90 days, you may remain in Canada while IRCC decides. This is sometimes called maintained status under IRPR section 183.
During this period, you cannot work or study. Working or studying without authorization while your restoration application is pending makes you ineligible for restoration. If your application is approved and a new work or study permit is required, IRCC will issue it together with or after the restoration decision.
For workers on an open work permit who want to eventually pursue permanent residence, note that a gap in authorized work status can affect Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility. If you are in a restoration window, review your PR timeline carefully. Learn more about processing times across immigration categories in the Canada immigration processing times 2026 guide.
If Amir Ansari RCIC can help you assess whether restoration is the right move given your specific work history, permit type, and PR goals, book a consultation at ansariimmigration.com/reserve-a-consultation-time. Restoration carries real risk and a refused application can complicate future applications.
Frequently asked questions about restoration of status in Canada
What is restoration of status in Canada?
Restoration of status is an in-Canada application that reinstates your temporary resident status after you have lost it. It is available within 90 days of losing status, must be applied for from inside Canada, and is not available at a port of entry or border crossing.
How to apply for restoration of status in Canada
You apply online through IRCC's secure portal (or by paper mail). Submit the restoration application form, pay both the restoration fee and the underlying permit fee, include supporting documents (valid passport, proof of previous status, and documents supporting the status you are restoring to), and apply before the 90-day deadline. You cannot leave Canada after your status expires — doing so abandons the application. If you are restoring as a visitor, the documentation requirement is lighter than for a work or study permit restoration.
What is the processing time for restoration of status in Canada?
Approximately 91 days for study permits, 105 days for visitor records, and 99 to 180 days for work permits as of 2026. Work permit restorations requiring an LMIA can take toward the longer end. Verify current times on the IRCC processing times tool before you apply.
How long do I have to apply for restoration of status in Canada?
You have exactly 90 days from the day your temporary resident status expired. Missing this deadline means restoration is no longer available and you must leave Canada. There are no extensions.
How much does restoration of status cost in Canada?
Restoration involves two separate fees: the restoration fee (currently $229 CAD) plus the fee for the underlying permit you are restoring to ($155 CAD for most work or study permits, or $100 for visitor status). Both must be paid together when you submit the application within the 90-day window. Confirm exact amounts on the IRCC website before applying, as fees can change.
Who can apply for restoration of status in Canada?
You can apply if you are physically in Canada, out of status, within the 90-day window, and meet the requirements for the status you want to restore to. You cannot apply if you worked or studied without authorization during the period of lost status, or if you hold a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP holders must apply for a new TRP instead). Restoration is discretionary — IRCC officers assess each case individually.
Can I work while my restoration of status application is being processed?
No. You cannot work or study after your status lapses, even once a valid restoration application is pending. Unauthorized work or study during this period makes you ineligible for restoration.
Can a worker restore their status as a visitor?
Yes, under the updated May 2026 IRCC guidance. Workers who no longer have a qualifying job offer can now clearly restore as visitors. Restoring as a visitor does not require an LMIA or proof of employment. See also: What Is Implied Status in Canada?
What happens if my restoration of status application is refused?
If IRCC refuses your restoration application, you are out of status and must leave Canada. A refused restoration can also affect your admissibility record for future applications. This is why reviewing your case with a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before applying is strongly recommended.
If your circumstances are time-sensitive, Amir Ansari RCIC at Ansari Immigration reviews restoration cases regularly and can help you determine whether you qualify and what status to restore to. Book a consultation at ansariimmigration.com/reserve-a-consultation-time before the 90-day window closes.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.