Visitor Record - Extension or Change of Conditions

A visitor record is not a visa.

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

It doesn’t matter if you entered Canada using a visitor visa, an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or another document.

You need a valid visitor visa every time you want to enter Canada, unless you’re returning directly from a visit to the United States or Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Visitors are a class of temporary resident who are legally authorized to enter Canada temporarily to holiday, visit family, conduct business, etc.

A visitor record is for people who want to do either of the following: - extend their stay in Canada as - a visitor - a worker authorized to work without a work permit or - a student authorized to study without a study permit - change their temporary resident category from - a study permit holder to a visitor - a work permit holder to a visitor

Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months.

If your passport was stamped when you entered Canada, you need to leave by the date stamped in your passport.

If there is no stamp, a handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six months from the day you arrived in Canada.

- includes a new expiry date

- That’s your new deadline to leave Canada.

Note: The validity of your temporary resident status cannot exceed the validity of your passport.

You may apply as many times as you wish, but each time that you apply, you must complete a new application and pay the fee. You must also demonstrate that your residence in Canada is still temporary.

1. Full details on why you want to stay longer;

2. Proof of identity;

3. Proof of current status in Canada;

4. Evidence on how you will support yourself or be supported in Canada and how you will pay for transportation to leave Canada, such as:

- Guarantor’s letter

- Bank statement indicating the account holder’s name and the account number

- Details about your plans to leave Canada, particularly the date and time of departure and the means of transportation.

you are required to submit photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the stamp made by Canadian authorities on your most recent entry to Canada.

you should ensure that your passport will be valid for at least the same amount of time as your requested extension.

You must apply online for your visitor record to extend your stay as a

- You can’t apply online because of a disability.

- There’s a problem with the online application.

you should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires.

Extend your stay as a visitor – per person | $100

If you apply to extend your stay in Canada before the date by which you’re supposed to leave, you can legally stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application.

Temporary resident permit applicants do not benefit from maintained status

Each member of your immediate family (spouse or common-law partner, dependent children) who wishes to remain longer in Canada must apply for permission to do so.

If your temporary resident status has expired, do not apply for an extension as you are not eligible. However, if you wish to stay in Canada after your status has expired you may apply for restoration of status within 90 days of your offence (loss of status) or you must leave Canada.

You should get your visitor record in the mail within 6 weeks of getting your decision letter.