News & Life
The return in September is not only about school. For a newcomer, autumn concentrates deadlines that cost dearly when missed: renewals, registrations, evidence to gather. Here is the calendar to watch this fall.
Permit deadlines
A study or work permit expiring this autumn should be prepared now. The prudent rule: file well before expiry with a complete file in hand, rather than waiting for the last week. Maintained status protects a person who filed on time, but it carries strict conditions — never assume it applies automatically to your case. Our guide to the study permit extension timeline covers each step.
The documents that take time
- Language tests — seats fill weeks ahead in autumn.
- Educational credential assessments, whose delay depends on your country of origin.
- Police certificates, often the slowest document to obtain.
- Certified translations, which follow precise rules — see what IRCC really accepts.
What is changing federally
In February 2026, IRCC announced five new Express Entry selection categories — physicians, researchers, senior managers, transport professionals and skilled military recruits — and raised the minimum experience in renewed categories from six to twelve months. If you are aiming for a targeted round, that threshold changes your timeline: we analyse it in our piece on the 2026 categories.
Five habits that protect your status
Keep a digital copy of every document you send. Note the date of every filing and every file number. Set an alert three months before any expiry. Report every change of address. And never travel without checking your return status. Almost every emergency we see starts as a small oversight.
Always verify at the source
Timelines and conditions change during the year. Systematically verify information on the IRCC or Québec ministry website before making a decision, and remember that in Canada only an authorized person may be paid to advise or represent you. If your situation is complex, request a consultation before acting.