Canada's 90-Day Visa Pause: What Applicants and Schools Need to Know

Canada has not cancelled or rejected applications from these three countries. Processing has been temporarily suspended. Applications already submitted will remain on file and will be reviewed once the 90-day pause is lifted.

This affects all visa and permit types, including study permits, work permits, visitor visas, and permanent residence applications.

If you haven't submitted your application yet

Submit as soon as possible. Even though processing will not begin until the pause is lifted, submitting now puts your application in the queue. Waiting means a longer delay once the 90 days are up.

If your application has been submitted to IRCC

No decision will be made on your file during the pause. BorderPass is monitoring your application and will notify you of any updates. If you're applying for a study permit, you may need to adjust your program start date — see more information below.

You have an approved visa, eTA, or PR visa and are outside Canada

Your travel document is suspended for the 90-day period. You cannot use it to enter Canada right now. Wait until the suspension lifts before making travel plans.

You're already in Canada with valid status

You can stay until your status expires. However, we strongly recommend you do not leave Canada during the pause. If you do, you may not be able to return — even if your visa or eTA is still valid.

If you cannot enter Canada before your program begins, you will need to defer your start date. Contact your school as soon as possible — they can walk you through the deferral process.

Once your school confirms a new start date and issues an updated Letter of Acceptance, return to BorderPass for help updating your study permit application.

"Many Canadian schools have deferral provisions in situations beyond a student's control. Document your situation clearly when reaching out. Keep all written correspondence with your institution," says Varinder Johal, Head of Legal at BorderPass.

BorderPass has already contacted affected applicants in our system. 

What this means for study permit applicants 

• Pending study permit applications from these three countries will not be decided during the 90-day pause

• Students with approved permits or eTAs cannot travel to Canada during this window

• Students already in Canada with valid status can remain, but may not be able re-enter if they leave the country

You may start receiving deferral requests

Students in these regions who cannot enter Canada before their program start date will need to defer. We have directed every affected applicant to contact their DLIs to confirm a new start date, then return to BorderPass to update their study permit application.

What we are doing

• Advising affected applicants to complete and submit their applications so they are in queue the moment the pause lifts

• For students who need to defer, BorderPass is ready to update applications once students return with a new Letter of Acceptance. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the deferral and updated LoA.

BorderPass will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds and keep you and your affected students informed.

• Pause start date: May 27, 2026

• Expected duration: 90 days

• Expected end date: Approximately August 25, 2026

• Resume of processing: Subject to reassessment by the Government of Canada

The Government of Canada may extend or lift the pause earlier depending on public health developments.

BorderPass will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated.