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My visa stamp shows the wrong expiry (one year short of my 2-year course) — what happens at the border?

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

An applicant with a 2-year course found their visa (PPR) stamped with an expiry a year short of what their program required, and worried about travelling on that stamp.

What the thread clarified:
  1. The visa stamp and the study permit are two different things. The visa is a travel authorization to enter Canada; the actual study permit — which authorizes you to study — is issued separately by the border officer (CBSA) when you land.

  2. Highlight your course duration to the border officer at landing. Members expected that if you point out your program is 2 years, the study permit issued at the border is likely to be granted matching your full course length (e.g., through Sept 2024), regardless of the shorter visa stamp.

  3. If your visa itself expires before your studies end, you can apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) later, using your valid study permit as the basis for that renewal.


Takeaway: don't panic over a visa stamp that's shorter than your course — the study permit CBSA issues at landing is what actually governs your ability to study, so clearly flag your course length to the border officer, and plan to renew your TRV separately if needed before it expires.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: The visa stamp and the study permit are separate — the study permit issued at the border by CBSA is what actually authorizes your full course duration.
  • Do: Point out your exact course length to the CBSA officer at landing so your study permit is issued to match it.
  • Tip: If your visa (not your study permit) expires while you're still studying, you can apply for a new TRV later using your valid study permit.

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