Visitor Record
A visitor visa extension is available to individuals currently in Canada who wish to remain beyond the expiry of their authorized stay. If approved, the applicant will receive a visitor record.
Note: A visitor record is not a visa.
A visitor record:
- Confirms the new authorized length of your stay in Canada;
- Specifies the date by which you must leave the country.
When to Apply
Applications to extend your stay should be submitted well in advance of your current status expiry—ideally at least 30 days before.
Your status expiry date may be indicated by:
- The stamp in your passport (not the visa expiry date);
- A default period of six months from the date of entry (if no stamp is issued);
- Your study permit;
- Your work permit; or
- Your existing visitor record.
Who Can Apply for a Visitor Record?
You may apply if you wish to:
- Remain in Canada as a visitor beyond your current authorized stay; or
- Change your status to a visitor from another category, such as:
- A study permit;
- A work permit.
Requirements to Extend a Visitor Visa
Applicants must:
- Be physically present in Canada;
- Hold a valid passport for the duration of the requested stay;
- Provide proof of payment of applicable government fees; and
- Maintain valid status under any existing permits, where applicable.
Restoration of Status
If your status in Canada has expired, you may not extend it directly. Instead, you must either leave Canada or apply for restoration of status.
Restoration applications must be submitted within 90 days of losing your status.
Restoration Requirements
Applicants must:
- Pay the applicable restoration fees;
- Provide a clear explanation for remaining in Canada beyond the authorized period;
- Demonstrate proof of previous valid status;
- Show sufficient financial resources to support their stay in Canada;
- Present a clear plan to leave Canada, including intended departure details; and
- Establish that their stay in Canada remains temporary.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – Inside Canada
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa, is an official document placed in your passport (counterfoil) that allows you to travel to and re-enter Canada. Individuals already in Canada may need to apply for a new TRV if their current visa has expired and they plan to leave and return.
It is important to note that a TRV does not determine how long you may stay in Canada—it only facilitates entry. Your authorized period of stay is governed by your status (visitor, worker, or student).
Who Should Apply from Inside Canada?
You may apply for a TRV from within Canada if you:
- Currently hold valid status as a visitor, worker, or student;
- Are physically present in Canada; and
- Require a new visa to re-enter Canada after travel abroad.
Important Considerations
- A valid TRV is required only for re-entry to Canada, not for maintaining status within Canada;
- You may remain in Canada with a valid permit even if your TRV has expired, provided your status remains valid;
- If you travel outside Canada, a valid TRV will be required to return (unless exempt).
Maintaining Permanent Residence Status in Canada
Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident grants you the right to live in Canada on a permanent basis. Permanent residents benefit from many of the same rights and privileges as Canadian citizens, including the ability to live and work anywhere in Canada and access essential social services.
To maintain permanent resident status, individuals must continue to demonstrate a genuine connection to Canada. Status may be lost in certain circumstances, including serious criminal convictions or failure to meet residency obligations ( you must reside inside Canada at least 2 out of 5 years).
Your Permanent Resident Card
The Permanent Resident (PR) Card serves as official proof of your status in Canada. You are required to carry a valid PR Card when travelling outside Canada and returning by commercial carrier. Without a valid card, you may face delays or be unable to board your flight back to Canada.
It is important to note that the expiry of a PR Card does not result in the loss of permanent resident status. However, a valid card is required for travel, and renewal should be completed in a timely manner.
PR Card Renewal
When applying to renew your PR Card, you will be required to provide a detailed record of your time spent inside and outside Canada. Maintaining accurate travel records is strongly recommended, as this information is also essential for future citizenship applications.
You may apply to renew your PR Card up to six months before its expiry. Given that processing times can be lengthy, early application is highly advisable to avoid disruptions to your travel plans.
Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)
A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is a temporary document that allows permanent residents outside Canada to return by commercial transportation—such as plane, train, bus, or boat—when they do not have a valid Permanent Resident Card. A PRTD is not a replacement for a PR Card; it is issued for travel purposes only.
Once you return to Canada, you should apply for a renewal or replacement of your Permanent Resident Card from within Canada to maintain valid proof of your status for future travel.
Visa Categories
- Visit Canada
- Business Visitors
- Work in Canada
- Solutions for Employers
- Intra-Company Transfers
- International Mobility Program
- Provincial Nominees Program
- Study in Canada
- Supervisa
- Family Sponsorship
- Permanent Residence
- Citizenship
- PR Card Renewal
- Extend your status in Canada
- Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C)
- Asylum & Refugees
- Removal Orders
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