If you are in Canada on a temporary status (visitor, worker, or student) and want to stay longer, you must apply for an extension before your status expires. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to legally extend your stay in Canada.
1. Who Needs to Apply for an Extension?
You must apply if you are in Canada under any of the following:
✔ Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) – Tourists who want to extend their stay
✔ Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) visitors – Those who entered visa-free but need more time
✔ Work permit holders – Employees wanting to extend their work period
✔ Study permit holders – Students needing more time to complete their studies
✔ Super visa holders – Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
2. When to Apply for an Extension
✔ Apply at least 30 days before your visa, permit, or status expires
✔ Check your passport validity – Your stay cannot be extended beyond your passport’s expiration date
✔ If you apply on time, you may have implied status, meaning you can stay legally until a decision is made
3. How to Extend Your Stay Based on Your Current Status
A. Extending a Visitor Visa (Applying for a Visitor Record)
If you are in Canada as a visitor and want to extend your stay, you need to apply for a Visitor Record, which is different from a visa.
✔ A Visitor Record is a document that grants additional time but does not allow re-entry to Canada
✔ Apply online through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website
✔ Fee: $100 CAD
✔ Processing time: 2-4 months
B. Extending a Work Permit
If you are working in Canada and want to stay longer:
✔ You must apply for a work permit extension before your current permit expires
✔ Your employer may need to provide a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
✔ If you qualify under the International Mobility Program (IMP), you may be exempt from the LMIA requirement
✔ Fee: $155 CAD
✔ Processing time: varies by work permit type
C. Extending a Study Permit
Students who need more time to complete their education must apply for a study permit extension:
✔ Apply before your permit expires
✔ Provide a letter of enrollment from your school
✔ Fee: $150 CAD
✔ Processing time: varies by country and application volume
4. What If Your Status Has Already Expired?
✔ You may apply for restoration of status within 90 days of expiry
✔ You cannot work or study while waiting for approval
✔ Restoration fee: $200 CAD (in addition to permit fees)
5. What Happens If Your Extension Is Denied?
✔ You must leave Canada immediately when your status expires
✔ You may apply for a new visa or permit from outside Canada