Extending your study permit | Immigration and getting settled in Quebec

Reason for the extension

Your study permit must cover the entire duration of your studies and bear the name “HEC Montréal.”

If your study permit expires before you finish your studies and you do not extent it, you will no longer be able to study and you will have to have your status restored or leave Canada. So, it's important to extend your study permit at least one day before it expires!

Also, be sure to have your family members’ (spouse and children) immigration documents renewed.

Before submitting an application

You must apply for an extension of your study permit from within Canada.

On your application form, you must provide a complete address (apartment number, postal code, etc.) in Canada, since IRCC will mail your study permit to you.
If you're not sure whether you'll be there or if you plan to move, provide the address of a reliable person who can pick up the permit for you.
If you have travel plans, contact us to find out the best way to renew your permit.

Validity of the CAQ

You need a valid Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for the duration of the extension you are requesting.

You must renew your CAQ if you are in one of the following situations:

Your current CAQ does not cover the remainder of your studies.
You are changing your level of studies (for example, moving from a BBA to an MSc).
You are coming from another learning institution. However, if you have a CAQ issued before December 6, 2024, that is still valid for the remainder of your studies and you are not changing your level of studies, you do not need to renew the CAQ.

You must apply to renew your CAQ at least 6 months before you rcurrent CAQ expires. You can then apply for an extension before your current study permit expires.

Validity of biometric data

Biometric data is valid for 10 years. Use this tool to find out if your biometric data is still valid. If that is not the case, you will need to provide them when you submit your request for an extension.

Applying online

You must apply online from Canada at least one day before your current permit expires. For all the information related to the extension of your study permit, including costs, see the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada site.

Log in or create your MyCIC account by clicking “Canadian Interac Sign-In Partner” or “GCKey username and password.” Forgot your sign-in details? If you are having trouble logging in, check the help section on the loggin page or create a new account.
Click the link “Apply to come to Canada.”

Questionnaire

You will need to answer a series of questions. Pay close attention to the following questions:

In response to the question, “What would you like to do in Canada?”
- You must answer "Study."
In response to the question, “How long are you planning to stay in Canada?”
- You must answer “Temporarily—more than 6 months,” even if you have less than 6 months left to complete your program.
In response to the question, “What is your current country or territory of residence?”
- You must answer "Canada," because you must be in Canada to renew your study permit.
In response to the question, “Do you have a provincial or territorial attestation letter or meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter?”
- You must answer “Yes, I have a provincial or territorial letter.” Please note that your CAQ serves as a provincial attestation letter.

Documents to provide

HEC Montréal's designated learning institution number is O19359011058.

You will need to provide several documents:

A Proof of Credits Completed/in Progress Letter
Admission letter (if you are changing programs)
Passport
CAQ
Completed but not signed IMM 5709 form
Passport-sized photo
Proof of financial capacity
Biometric data (if no longer valid)
Specific documents (if applicable)

Proof of Credits Completed/in Progress Letter

If you do not change your academic program, you will need to provide:

Your Proof of Credits Completed/in Progress Letter, not the admission letter you received when you entered the program.

If you change your academic program, you must provide:

Your Proof of Credits Completed/in Progress Letter;
Your new admission letter.

Proof of financial capacity

Proof of financial capacity demonstrates that you are able to pay the costs associated with your studies for one year.

Check out our tutorial (PDF, 1,5 Mo) to find out if you need to submit supporting documents and to see a description of them.

Specific documents

Letter from your thesis or dissertation advisor

If you are a master’s student (thesis track) or a doctoral student, please ensure that your application includes a letter from your thesis advisor indicating the approximate date you plan to submit your thesis.

Documents related to a reduced course load

If you have deferred your admission, studied part time, dropped or failed courses, or taken an authorized leave of absence, please include the following with your application:

A dated and signed letter explaining why your studies were not your primary activity
Documents supporting your explanation (e.g., airline ticket, internship agreement, medical certificate)
The Proof of Authorized Leave document issued by HEC Montréal (if applicable)

Documents related to poor academic performance

If you have had repeated failures or a low cumulative GPA during your studies at HEC Montréal, please include the following with your application:

A dated and signed explanatory letter
Any relevant documentation that explains your situation

Once your application has been submitted

Within the next 24 hours, you will receive confirmation of your application (PDF, 109 KB) in the "My Inbox" section of your MyCIC.

Upload a copy to HEC en ligne or submit it to the Zone Info
If your study permit was valid at the time you submitted your extension application, you will be granted “maintained status”, which allows you to continue studying while you await a decision, as long as you do not leave Canada.

Processing time

If your application is approved: what to do

Your new study permit will be mailed to you after the processing period. Upload a copy to HEC en ligne or submit it to the Zone Info.

If you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, you can apply to have it renewed.

As an international student, your immigration documents must remain valid for the duration of your studies. You must also make your studies your primary activity, which means studying full time (except under certain conditions). Visit our website to learn about all your obligations.

If your application is refused

Need advice or information about immigration?

It is not necessary to hire a lawyer or a consultant to get help.

If you have any questions:

Please contact us using the contact form.
Meet with a counselor for a quick consultation (5 to 10 min.) without an appointment:
- In person: Mondays and Thursdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Zone Info in the Decelles building.
- Online (Zoom): Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
incoming [at] hec.ca (Contact the IASMS) if you are participating in an exchange program.

This web page is published for informational purposes only and holds no official standing. Changes may occur without notice. Quebec laws and regulations, as well as information emanating from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, take precedence over this document.