Canada Immigration Consultant

IRCC sent 4500 ITA’s in Latest Express Entry French draw, Congratulations to everyone who got the invitation 🎉

🇨🇦Most students in Canada think their work experience is building toward PR.
It’s not.👇

IRCC doesn’t count any work done while you were a full‑time student on‑campus, off‑campus, summer breaks, co‑op. None of it counts for CEC.

Your CEC clock starts the day you submit your PGWP application, not when it’s approved.

Submission date = Day 1. Every day you work while waiting is already counting.

If you’ve submitted your PGWP and you’re working right now, you’re already building CEC hours.

Most people find this out too late.
Don’t be one of them.

🚨 IRCC Update: New Restoration Pathway for Out-of-Status Workers & Students

On May 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) quietly published updated operational instructions that significantly expand restoration options for temporary residents who have lost their status.

📌 What Changed?

Previously, restoration of status was generally limited to returning to the same status you previously held (worker or student). This often forced out-of-status individuals to leave Canada and re-enter as visitors if they no longer qualified for a work or study permit.

🔑 New Pathway: Out-of-status workers and students may now apply directly to restore their status as visitors, without having to leave Canada first.

✅ Key Requirements:

· Apply within 90 days of losing your status
· Remain in Canada, leaving will result in refusal of your application
· Must meet standard visitor requirements (genuine intent to visit, sufficient funds, compliance with previous permit conditions)
· Apply online through IRCC's portal (restoration cannot be requested at a port of entry)

⚠️ What You Cannot Do:

· No work or study while your restoration application is being processed
· Restoration approval is not guaranteed, each case is assessed individually at an officer's discretion

💼 Estimated Fees (subject to change):

· Restoration fee: ~$240 CAD
· Visitor record fee: ~$100 CAD
· Total currently around $346 CAD

💡 Why This Matters Now:
This update provides a safety net for individuals who:

· No longer qualify for a work or study permit (e.g., no job offer or not enrolled)
· Need time to reassess immigration options or apply for permanent residence
· Want to remain legally in Canada while planning their next steps

🔍 Restoration Options (by status lost):

· Lost Worker status → can restore as Visitor (new) OR as Worker
· Lost Student status → can restore as Visitor (new) OR as Student
· Lost Worker status wanting to become Student → allowed
· Lost Student status wanting to become Worker → allowed
· Lost Visitor status → can only restore as Visitor

📌 Important Caveats:

· Being out of status, even temporarily, may affect future permanent residence applications
· Restoration is a last-resort option; maintaining valid status at all times remains the best practice

Disclaimer: This post is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly from the official IRCC website.