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Visitor Record
If you were issued a visitor record, the expiry date printed on that document generally determines when your authorized visitor status ends.
VISIT
Extend Your Stay in Canada
If you want to remain in Canada longer as a visitor, understand when to apply for a visitor record and how to protect your temporary resident status.
Review Your Visitor StatusVISITOR RECORD
How Do You Extend Your Stay as a Visitor?
If you are already in Canada as a visitor and want to stay beyond the end of your currently authorized period, you generally need to apply for a visitor record.
A visitor record is an immigration document that gives you a new date by which you must leave Canada.
It does not replace your passport, visitor visa or electronic travel authorization, and it is not itself a travel document.
The application should normally be submitted before your current temporary resident status expires.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
A Visitor Record Is Not a Visitor Visa
A visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV, is generally used by visa-required travellers to travel to Canada and seek entry.
A visitor record is different. It is generally issued to establish or extend the period during which a person may remain in Canada.
A visitor record contains an expiry date. That is the new date by which the visitor must leave Canada unless they obtain further authorization.
Visa = Travel
Visitor Record = Stay
Extending your visitor status does not automatically extend an expired visitor visa or eTA for future travel.
Learn About Visitor VisasCHECK YOUR STATUS
When Does Your Visitor Status Expire?
Do not assume that the expiry date on your visitor visa is the expiry date of your temporary status inside Canada.
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Passport Stamp
If a border officer wrote a date in your passport when you entered Canada, that date generally determines when you must leave.
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No Stamp or Visitor Record
If no different period was authorized, you can generally stay for six months from the date you entered Canada, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
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Passport Expiry
Passport validity can also affect how long temporary status or a new visitor record may be issued.
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Visa Expiry Is Different
The expiry date of a TRV generally relates to use of that visa for travel and does not automatically determine the end date of your stay after entry.
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Verify Before Applying
Confirm your actual status expiry date before calculating the deadline for an extension application.
APPLICATION TIMING
Apply Before Your Current Status Expires
IRCC currently recommends that visitors apply to extend their stay at least 30 days before their authorized visitor status expires.
Applying early gives you time to prepare supporting documents and reduces the risk of losing status because of a technical or application problem.
Most importantly, submitting the extension application before your status expires may allow you to remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC makes a decision.
Aim for 30+ Days Before Expiry
Waiting until the final day creates unnecessary risk. Start reviewing your status and application well before your authorized stay ends.
Check My Expiry DateMAINTAINED STATUS
What Happens While IRCC Processes Your Extension?
Applying before your current visitor status expires can allow you to remain legally in Canada while waiting for a decision.
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Apply Before Expiry
The application must generally be submitted while you still have valid temporary resident status.
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Remain in Canada
If the applicable requirements are met, you can generally stay in Canada while IRCC processes the visitor extension.
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Same Visitor Conditions
During maintained status, you continue under the conditions that applied to your temporary visitor status unless another authorization applies.
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Travel Can Complicate Status
Leaving Canada while an extension application is being processed can affect your situation and does not guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter Canada.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) applicants do not benefit from maintained status while a new or subsequent TRP application is being processed.
SUPPORTING YOUR REQUEST
Why Do You Want to Stay Longer?
A visitor extension is still a temporary resident application, so your reason for remaining in Canada should be clearly explained.
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More Time With Family
A visitor may wish to continue spending time with children, parents, spouses, relatives or other family members in Canada.
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Tourism or Travel
Additional time may be requested to complete a planned visit or travel within Canada.
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Family Circumstances
Weddings, births, family support or other temporary family circumstances may explain a request for a longer stay.
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Immigration Processing
Some visitors may have another Canadian immigration matter in progress while seeking to maintain lawful temporary status.
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Medical or Personal Circumstances
Temporary medical, personal or logistical circumstances may sometimes support a request for additional time in Canada.
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Other Temporary Reasons
Other legitimate temporary purposes may be considered based on the applicant's complete circumstances.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
What May Be Relevant to a Visitor Extension?
Supporting evidence should explain why you need additional time and how you will support yourself during the extended stay.
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Passport
Passport identity pages and relevant immigration stamps or documents may be required.
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Current Status
Existing visitor records, entry information or other temporary resident documents may be relevant.
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Financial Support
Bank records or evidence of support from a family member or host may help establish how expenses will be covered.
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Reason for Extension
Documents supporting the purpose and requested duration of the extended stay may strengthen the application.
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Host Information
Where a host in Canada is providing accommodation or financial support, relevant information about that person may be included.
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Temporary Intent
The complete application should remain consistent with the applicant's temporary resident obligations.
WORK & STUDY
Extending Visitor Status Does Not Give You Permission to Work
A visitor record extends or establishes temporary visitor status.
It does not by itself authorize employment in Canada.
It also does not automatically authorize studies that require a study permit.
If you want to work or study, you should separately determine whether you qualify for the required work or study authorization.
Visitor Status ≠ Work Authorization
Remaining legally in Canada as a visitor does not mean you are permitted to work.
Learn About Work PermitsTRAVELLING OUTSIDE CANADA
A Visitor Record Does Not Guarantee Re-Entry
A visitor record allows you to remain in Canada until the date stated on the document.
It does not function as a visitor visa or electronic travel authorization and does not guarantee that you can leave Canada and later return.
If you travel outside Canada, you must still meet the applicable entry requirements, including having a valid TRV or eTA where required.
A border services officer makes the final decision on admission when you return.
Planning to Travel?
Check both your status inside Canada and the documents you will need to seek re-entry before leaving.
Review My Travel DocumentsSTATUS ALREADY EXPIRED?
You May Need Restoration Instead of an Extension
If your visitor status has already expired, you generally cannot simply file a normal visitor extension as though your status were still valid.
In some cases, a person may be eligible to apply to restore their temporary resident status as a visitor.
Under the general restoration rules, the application normally must be made within 90 days after losing status and the applicant must continue to meet the applicable requirements.
Restoration is not automatic, and approval is not guaranteed.
Less Than 90 Days Since Expiry?
Restoration may be available depending on why status was lost and whether all applicable requirements continue to be met.
Learn About RestorationThe 90-day restoration period is the general rule. Temporary public policies or special measures may provide a different restoration period for certain affected applicants.
EXTENSION OR RESTORATION?
The Timing of Your Application Changes the Process
Whether your status is still valid when you apply is one of the first issues to determine.
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Extension
If your visitor status is still valid, you generally apply to extend your stay before the expiry date.
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Restoration
If your status has already expired, you may need to request restoration if you remain eligible and are within the applicable restoration period.
APPLICATION PROCESS
A Typical Visitor Extension Process
The application should clearly establish your current status, reason for staying longer and plans during the extended visit.
1
Confirm Your Expiry Date
Determine exactly when your current authorized visitor status ends.
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Determine the Correct Application
Confirm whether you need an extension, change of conditions or restoration.
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Prepare Supporting Documents
Gather passport, financial, host and purpose-of-stay evidence relevant to your circumstances.
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Apply Online
Submit the visitor record application through the applicable IRCC online process.
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Follow Your Status Conditions
While waiting for a decision, remain aware of the immigration conditions that apply to your situation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Extending Your Stay Does Not Guarantee Approval
Being physically present in Canada does not automatically give a visitor the right to remain indefinitely.
IRCC assesses whether the applicant continues to meet the requirements for temporary residence and whether the requested extension is reasonable in the circumstances.
The purpose of the extended stay, finances, immigration history, family circumstances and compliance with previous status conditions may all be relevant.
Need More Time in Canada?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your entry date, current status, reason for extending your stay and supporting documents to help identify the appropriate application.
Contact UsSTAY IN CANADA LEGALLY
Protect Your Visitor Status Before It Expires
Tell us when you entered Canada, when your current status expires and why you want to stay longer, and let our team help you understand the visitor extension process.
Request Assistance