Restoration of Status: A Critical but Misunderstood Option
- Anne C. McCaughey (Annie)
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Losing legal status in Canada is a stressful experience, but many temporary residents don’t
realize they may have a second chance through restoration of status. However, this is not a
loophole to change status or extend indefinitely.
The Basics:
- You have 90 days from the date your status expired to apply for restoration.
- You can only restore to the status you had before (e.g., a worker cannot restore to student
status).
- Restoration is discretionary, not guaranteed.
Challenges We See in Practice:
- Applicants are unaware of expiry dates until it’s too late.
- Confusion between a visitor record and visitor status.
- Attempting to switch roles during restoration (e.g., from work to study).
Why Professional Help Matters:
A strong restoration application includes a clear explanation of why status was lost,
supporting documents (e.g., job offer continuity, financial capacity), and a plan for
compliance going forward. Restoration may also be the only way
If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact Immigration Station Canada. We
offer professional immigration advice to help you through every step of the process.
Immigration Station Canada will work with you and guide you through the best process to
achieve your goals, wherever they lead!
About Us
Immigration Station Canada is a dedicated, professional Canadian Immigration firm practicing out of Northumberland County, just east of Toronto, Canada. We serve clients from Kingston, Belleville, Brighton, Cobourg, Oshawa, the GTA, Guelph, Milton, Stratford, St. Catharines, and around the world. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Anne C. McCaughey (Annie) is an experienced immigration services provider and a fifth-generation Canadian who values the immigration process and the unique individuals who immigrate to Canada to become part of the fabric of this wonderful country. If you would like to submit a question to Ask Annie, use the contact form.
How Can We Help? We do work permits, study permits, visitor visas, Express Entry, spousal sponsorship, family class sponsorship, and Canadian citizenship with expertise in Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications and Global Talent Stream applications. Please contact us if you would like assistance with your immigration application or to book an appointment.
