Status Restoration Eligibility Canada 2026
Check if you qualify for the 90-day IRCC restoration window. Shows days remaining, fees, and required documents.
Key Takeaways
- Restoration is only available for 90 days from the date your visitor, worker, or study status expired. Day 91 is too late.
- You must still meet the original eligibility criteria for the class of status — restoration does not reset conditions, it just extends the window to reapply.
- Other loss-of-status triggers (unauthorized work or study, breached conditions, admissibility problems) typically defeat a restoration application even if the 90-day window is still open.
- The IRCC restoration fee is $229.77 as of the current fee schedule. Plan to pay biometrics, any right-of-permit fees, and service charges on top.
- Restoration is technical — consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer if you are unsure whether your case qualifies, especially if you lost status for a reason other than a timing miss.
Status Restoration Eligibility (90-Day Window)
Under IRPR section 182, a temporary resident in Canada who loses their legal status — visitor, worker, or student — may apply to have that status restored within 90 days of the loss. The restoration application lets you remain in Canada legally while IRCC reviews whether you still meet the original requirements of the class you held. Miss the 90-day window and restoration is no longer available; you must leave Canada and apply for a new visa or permit from outside the country.
This calculator tells you whether you are still within the restoration window, how many days you have left to file, and what the IRCC processing fee is. It also outputs the documentation you will need to attach to the application and flags common disqualifiers (working or studying without authorization, breaching permit conditions, admissibility concerns) that prevent restoration even when the window is open.
How It Works
1. Enter the type of temporary status you are trying to restore — visitor, worker, or student. Each class has slightly different documentation requirements.
2. Enter the date your status expired. This is the date on your visitor record, work permit, or study permit, not the date you entered Canada.
3. Enter a reference date (defaults to today). The calculator subtracts the expiry date from the reference date to get the number of overstay days.
4. Flag any other loss-of-status triggers that apply — working or studying without authorization, failing to comply with conditions, or admissibility issues. These disqualify most restoration applications even when the 90-day window is open.
5. The calculator reports whether you are eligible, how many days remain in the window, the IRCC restoration fee ($229.77) plus a modest service fee, and a list of documents to include with Form IMM 5710 and the restoration checkbox.
When Restoration Is Possible
The 90-day restoration window starts the day your temporary status ends. If your work permit expired on May 1 and you do nothing, you are out of status on May 2 and your restoration window closes on July 30. You must file the restoration application — including the fee payment — before that last day; IRCC counts the filing date, not the date it starts processing.
Restoration is technically available for visitors, workers, and students, but the practical requirements differ. Work permit restoration typically requires the underlying job offer (or LMIA, if applicable) to still be valid. Study permit restoration requires an enrolment letter from a Designated Learning Institution. Visitor restoration requires proof that you can financially support yourself and have a reason to return home.
Why Restoration Applications Are Refused
Even when the 90-day window is open, IRCC routinely refuses restoration when the loss of status was caused by a breach rather than a timing miss. The most common disqualifiers are working without authorization (for example, continuing to work after your permit expired), studying without authorization, violating the conditions of your permit (working for an employer not listed on your closed work permit), or having admissibility issues such as misrepresentation, criminality, or security concerns.
If any of these apply, the calculator marks you as ineligible and warns you to consult a licensed immigration professional before filing. A refused restoration means you are unlawfully in Canada from the moment the refusal is communicated — continuing to work or study after a refusal can have lasting immigration consequences.
What To Do If Restoration Is Not An Option
If the 90-day window has closed, or if a loss-of-status trigger applies, restoration is off the table. The remaining options depend on your circumstances. You can leave Canada and apply for a new visa or permit from outside the country — the most common path. Depending on your nationality, you may need a TRV (temporary resident visa) in addition to the new permit application. If you have a pending PR application in-process with IRCC, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to continue working while the PR application is reviewed, though BOWP has its own eligibility rules.
Staying in Canada without status is risky. While IRCC does not automatically remove short overstays, working or attempting to work without status can trigger enforcement action and make it harder to obtain future immigration status.
Key Facts
- The 90-day restoration window is set by IRPR section 182 and starts on the day your temporary status expires.
- IRCC's published restoration fee is $229.77 as of the current fee schedule; expect additional charges for biometrics and any right-of-status fees specific to the permit class.
- You must still meet the original class requirements — restoration is a procedural extension, not a second chance at eligibility.
- Unauthorized work or study, breached permit conditions, and admissibility concerns typically prevent restoration even within the 90-day window.
- If restoration is not available, the most common alternative is leaving Canada and applying for a new permit from outside the country.
FAQ
Does the 90-day clock start on the expiry date or the day after?
IRCC treats the day after expiry as day one of the overstay. If your permit expires on May 1, May 2 is day one and you must file the restoration application by July 30 (day 90). The calculator uses the reference date you provide to count overstay days directly.
Can I keep working while my restoration application is being processed?
No. Once your work permit expires, you lose authorization to work. Continuing to work after your permit expires — even during the 90-day window or while restoration is pending — is unauthorized work and will almost certainly disqualify you from restoration and harm future applications. Stop working the day your permit expires.
What documents do I need to file a restoration application?
Form IMM 5710 (restoration checkbox), a copy of your expired permit, a copy of your passport bio page and any pages with Canadian stamps, a written explanation of how you lost status and why restoration is warranted, fee payment receipt, and evidence that you still meet the class requirements (job offer or LMIA for workers, DLI letter for students, proof of funds for visitors). The calculator lists the specific documents based on your status type.
Does restoration restore my original expiry date?
No. If IRCC approves your restoration application, they issue you a new temporary resident document with a new expiry date, typically the same length as your original permit (or the remaining period on an underlying document like a job offer). It is not a continuation of the old permit.
What if I was supposed to extend my status but missed the deadline?
A missed extension deadline is the most common reason for losing status and is exactly what restoration was designed to address. As long as you file the restoration application within 90 days and still meet the original class requirements, a simple timing miss is typically curable. The calculator will show you eligible if your overstay is under 90 days and no other triggers apply.
Updated April 2026. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes only. Tax rules, rates, and government programs may change — verify details with the CRA or a qualified financial advisor.