Hey everyone, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts lately where people assume they can just “restore their status later” without realizing how tight the timeline really is. I know it’s stressful when your status expires, but skipping key steps or waiting too long can make restoration impossible.

The big thing to remember: once your status expires, you’re no longer authorized to work or study unless you’ve applied to restore it *within the 90-day window*. That 90-day rule is strict — and it starts the day after your status ends. So if your work permit or study permit expired on March 10th, your deadline to apply for restoration is June 8th, not June 9th.

A lot of people don’t realize that continuing to work or study after expiry — even for a few days — can break eligibility. If you’re working without authorization, even unintentionally, IRCC may consider that a serious issue. That’s why it’s critical to stop working immediately upon expiry and start gathering documents as soon as possible.

Another common mistake is not keeping proof of your application submission. You need to keep your receipt, confirmation email, and any tracking numbers. If you’re waiting for a decision and need to prove you applied on time, this proof can make a big difference.

I’ve also seen people delay applying because they’re waiting for documents like medicals or police checks, but the restoration application itself must be submitted before the 90-day deadline — even if other documents are still pending.

So here’s what I’d like to hear from others:
- What’s the first thing you’d check if you realized your status had expired?
- How do you stay on top of deadlines when juggling work, studies, or family?
- What documents do you consider non-negotiable to have ready when applying?

If you’ve been through this process, what details made the biggest difference in your case? Share your tips — it’s always helpful to learn from others who’ve been in the same spot.

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