Visitor Extension Canada
To extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you must apply for a visitor record. This document will have an expiry date, upon which you must leave the country or apply for another extension to remain in Canada legally. It is important to note that a visitor record does not guarantee you will be able to re-enter Canada if you decide to leave the country. If your current visitor visa expires while your application for an extension is being processed, you can stay in Canada until a decision is made. This is known as “maintained status,” which was previously known as “implied status. “During this period, the conditions of your visitor status are extended beyond the expiry date, and you will simply be allowed to stay in Canada as a visitor. If, however, your visitor status has already expired, you may be able to restore your status if you continue to meet initial requirements and conditions.
When you first come to Canada as a visitor, you use one of these documents to enter:
• a visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa)
• an electronic travel authorization (ETA)
• a valid passport or travel document
If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (stay in Canada longer), you need to apply for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa.
A visitor records.
• is a document that gives you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer
• includes a new expiry date
• that’s the new date that you must leave Canada by
When to apply for a visitor record
You must apply for a visitor record before your status expires. If you’re not sure when your status expires, find out how long you can stay in Canada.
Leaving and returning to Canada
A visitor record is a document that continues to give you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer. It doesn’t guarantee that you can leave and then re-enter Canada. If you plan to travel outside Canada or the United States, you need a valid entry document, such as a visitor visa or ETA, to return to Canada.
Possible extending your stay in Canada scenarios.
- Students
A temporary resident who held a study permit and has lost their status can apply in Canada for restoration of their temporary resident status and study permit. They may also apply and pay for a work permit if they meet the requirements of the work permit program they are applying for. If they are approved for the study permit, the work permit application will then be processed.
- Workers
A temporary resident who held a work permit and lost their status can apply in Canada for restoration of their temporary resident status and authorization to work within 90 days of having lost their status. In addition to applying for restoration and a new work permit, they may also apply for a study permit, and pay the fees, if they meet the requirements for study permit issuance. The study permit will only be assessed after the work permit and restoration applications are approved.
- Visitors
A visitor who is out of status may apply to restore their status as a temporary resident. Temporary residents who are eligible to apply in Canada for a work or study permit [R199 or R215] may do so when restoring their temporary resident status. The fees for the study or work permit must be paid in addition to the restoration fee unless they are otherwise exempt.
- Temporary resident permit (TRP) holders
A temporary resident permit (TRP) holder who has let their permit expire is not eligible for restoration. They must apply for a new TRP.
Note: The person must still satisfy the officer that they are a genuine temporary resident and meet all the requirements of the IRPA to qualify for a new TRP.
