Visitor record vs visitor visa
- A visitor visa (TRV) lets you enter Canada. It's the sticker in your passport.
- A visitor record lets you stay longer once you're here. It's not a travel document, so it doesn't let you re-enter Canada.
Your visa's expiry date isn't the date you have to leave. That date is your status end date.
When your visitor status ends
- Check the stamp in your passport from the border officer.
- If there's no stamp, your status usually ends 6 months after the day you entered Canada.
- If you have a visitor record, use the date on it.
When and how to apply
- Apply at least 30 days before your current status expires. Earlier is better.
- Apply online, explaining why you want to stay longer and showing you can support yourself.
- Pay the fee in the application (see IRCC's fee list).
If you apply before your status expires, you can stay under the same conditions while IRCC decides (maintained status). If IRCC refuses, you can only stay until your current status ends.
Visiting parents and grandparents
Parents and grandparents who want long stays should look at the Super Visa, which allows stays of up to 5 years per entry.
Workers and students switching to visitor
If your work or study permit is ending, you can apply to become a visitor. But once your work or study permit expires, you generally can't apply for a new one from inside Canada, and you must stop working or studying.