Visa Extension in Canada
Canada offers a lot of programs that have validity, which means that you would have to renew or apply for extension at a certain period of time in order to legally stay in the country.
Who needs to extend their visas so they could stay in Canada?
- Study permit holders
- Visitors to Canada
- Work permit holders
How to extend your stay if you are on a visitor visa?
If you want to extend your stay in Canada and you hold a visitor visa, you have to apply at least 30 days before your status expires.
Requirements for extension:
- visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa)
- an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
You are also required to apply for a Visitor Record.
Please do keep in mind that a visitor record is not a visa, it is a:
- is a document that gives you status as a visitor in Canada and allows you to stay longer
- includes a new expiry date which is the new date that you must leave Canada by
What is a visitor record?
A visitor record is a type of document that continues to give you a legal status to stay as a visitor in Canada and it allows you to stay there for a longer period of time.
Also, it does not guarantee that you can leave and then re-enter Canada.
How to extend your stay if you are a work permit holder?
You are required to apply for extension at least 30 days before your current work permit expires.
Who can extend their work permits?
- Temporary workers
- Live-in caregivers
- Bridging open work permit
- Extend your International Experience Canada work permit
- Get a visitor visa to return to Canada
- Open work perm it holder that’s finding new job in Canada
Note:
Your employer may also need to apply for a new LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), which is a type of document from Employment and Social Development Canada that says the employer is allowed to hire you.
In case you are exempted from needing an LMIA, your employer would still have to pay the employer compliance fee and submit a new offer employment through the Employer Portal.
How can I extend my stay as a student?
If you want to study in Canada longer, you are required to extend your study permit.
Please do keep in mind that you are required to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your current study permit expires, but it is advised for the student to apply for an extension at least 40 days before it expires.
