Study Permit Extension Only Given Until April 30, 2026 even Though Program Ends in 2028. Should I Reapply?

[Marley1206]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice because I’m confused about the validity period IRCC gave me.

I applied for my study permit extension on August 19, 2025, since my current permit expires on March 26, 2026. In my application, I uploaded scans of both my old passport and my new, valid passport.

I just received the approval letter, but the new study permit is only valid until April 30, 2026. My program actually runs until 2028, so I was expecting a multi-year extension like most students get.


Has anyone experienced this before? Does IRCC sometimes issue very short extensions like this, and does it mean I need to reapply with additional documents? I haven’t received the physical permit yet, only the approval letter, so I’m not sure if this is an error or if there’s something else going on.


Any insight or similar experiences would be appreciated. Should I submit another extension application now to cover the rest of my program?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice because I’m confused about the validity period IRCC gave me.

I applied for my study permit extension on August 19, 2025, since my current permit expires on March 26, 2026. In my application, I uploaded scans of both my old passport and my new, valid passport.

I just received the approval letter, but the new study permit is only valid until April 30, 2026. My program actually runs until 2028, so I was expecting a multi-year extension like most students get.


Has anyone experienced this before? Does IRCC sometimes issue very short extensions like this, and does it mean I need to reapply with additional documents? I haven’t received the physical permit yet, only the approval letter, so I’m not sure if this is an error or if there’s something else going on.


Any insight or similar experiences would be appreciated. Should I submit another extension application now to cover the rest of my program?


Thanks in advance.

IRCC issues short extensions all the time. How long is your program to end in 2028 and is it your first program? Assume it is a 4 or 5 year degree? How much did you show in funds? Usually it is to show you are full time and can meet financial requirements. Apply for extension and you may or may not get it until 2028.

 

[Marley1206]

IRCC issues short extensions all the time. How long is your program to end in 2028 and is it your first program? Assume it is a 4 or 5 year degree? How much did you show in funds? Usually it is to show you are full time and can meet financial requirements. Apply for extension and you may or may not get it until 2028.

My program is a Bachelor’s degree, and it officially ends in 2028. This is not my first program, I’ve been studying full-time with no gaps. I also submitted funds of 70,000 CAD for the extension, so I don’t think finances were the issue.

What confuses me is that I included both my old and new passports, and both are valid, but IRCC still only extended my permit to April 30, 2026. I’m trying to understand whether this is normal when the program runs for several more years, or if I should just reapply immediately with updated documents.


If anyone has dealt with a similar short extension despite a long program, I’d appreciate any insight.

 

[Naturgrl]

My program is a Bachelor’s degree, and it officially ends in 2028. This is not my first program, I’ve been studying full-time with no gaps. I also submitted funds of 70,000 CAD for the extension, so I don’t think finances were the issue.

What confuses me is that I included both my old and new passports, and both are valid, but IRCC still only extended my permit to April 30, 2026. I’m trying to understand whether this is normal when the program runs for several more years, or if I should just reapply immediately with updated documents.


If anyone has dealt with a similar short extension despite a long program, I’d appreciate any insight.

It is the fact that it is your second program. Your original permit was based on the first program and then you applied for a new permit (extension). Did you change DLI? Did you submit PAL and new LOA?

You were fortunate if you didn't need new PAL. It is common. Apply for extension of the second program and may get until 2028.