To extend your stay in Canada, apply online for a visitor record at least 30 days before your visitor status expires. A visitor record lets you stay longer, but it is not a visa. If you are hosting family in Mississauga or the GTA, check the expiry date early and keep the application record. Rules checked on canada.ca on October 30, 2026.
Key facts
- Apply for a visitor record at least 30 days before your status expires.
- The expiry date may appear on your passport stamp, permit or earlier visitor record. If there is no stamp, it is 6 months from the day you entered Canada.
- Apply online. Paper applications are limited to a disability or a problem with the online application.
- An application made before expiry can provide maintained status, allowing you to stay until IRCC makes a decision.
- If less than 90 days have passed since expiry, restoration may be possible in some cases using IMM 5708. A restoration fee applies, and approval is not assured.
What is a visitor record extension?
A visitor record extension is an application to stay in Canada longer as a visitor. The document issued is a visitor record, not a visa.
Because it is not a visa, it does not by itself let you return to Canada after a trip abroad. Read IRCC’s guidance on extending your stay before you begin.
When should you apply, and where is the expiry date?
Apply at least 30 days before your current visitor status expires. Check the passport stamp first, but do not use the visa expiry date as your visitor-status deadline.
Check these documents
- Look for a date written or stamped in your passport.
- If there is no stamp, count six months from the date you entered Canada.
- Check your current permit or an earlier visitor record if one was issued.
IRCC’s eligibility guidance explains these deadline rules. A family member in Mississauga can help track the date, but the visitor should verify the documents and application details.
Who can apply for a visitor record?
Visitors can apply to extend their stay. So can workers and students who are authorized to work or study without a permit, and study or work permit holders who want to change to visitor status.
Eligibility depends on the person’s current situation and documents. If the visitor holds a permit, the change to visitor status should be addressed directly in the application. Do not assume that a visitor record is the right document without checking the person’s status.
How do you apply online?
Use IRCC’s online process and select “Visit” as the purpose and “Canada” as the current residence. Paper applications are available only for a disability or a problem with the online application.
Application steps
- Read the application guide and confirm the expiry date.
- Use the online tool, select “Visit” and identify Canada as your current residence.
- Complete the visitor record application and upload the requested information.
- Submit the application before visitor status expires.
- If IRCC asks for biometrics, book them as soon as possible.
Follow IRCC’s online application instructions. IRCC’s fee list shows the current fees.
What happens if you apply before your status expires?
If you apply before your visitor status expires, you can legally stay in Canada until IRCC decides the application. This is called maintained status.
Keep proof of the submission and watch for messages in the application account. If biometrics are requested, arrange them as soon as possible. Maintained status does not apply to temporary resident permit applicants. See IRCC’s after-you-apply guidance for these instructions.
What if visitor status has already expired?
If less than 90 days have passed since visitor status expired, restoration may be possible in some cases. Apply on IMM 5708, select the restoration option and explain why the person stayed after expiry.
A restoration fee applies. IRCC states that approval is not assured. The IRCC restoration guidance sets out the relevant steps. If more than 90 days have passed, or the circumstances are unclear, get advice before taking further action. For parents and grandparents who want longer visits in future, a Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years at a time, but it is applied for from outside Canada.
Four situations, four different steps
- More than 30 days left: apply online now.
- Fewer than 30 days left, but not expired: apply online at once; applying before expiry gives maintained status.
- Expired less than 90 days ago: restoration may be possible on IMM 5708, with a restoration fee.
- Expired more than 90 days ago: restoration is not available; get advice before doing anything else.
Can you travel while an extension is pending?
Leaving Canada or the United States means you must meet the requirements to return to Canada. A pending visitor record application does not remove the need to meet the entry rules.
Before making travel plans, check the documents needed for re-entry and consider how departure affects the person’s circumstances. A visitor record is not a visa, so keep that distinction clear when planning travel.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I apply for a visitor record extension?
Apply at least 30 days before your visitor status expires. Find the deadline from the passport stamp, not the visa expiry date. If there is no stamp, it is 6 months from the day you entered Canada. Your permit or an earlier visitor record may show a different deadline. Applying before expiry is important because it may allow you to stay until IRCC decides.
Is a visitor record the same as a visitor visa?
No. A visitor record is a document used to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor. It is not a visa. A visa relates to entry requirements, while the visitor record sets the period you may remain in Canada. Check both documents and the current entry rules before travelling outside Canada or the United States.
Can I apply online to extend my stay in Canada?
Yes. The regular route is online. In IRCC’s tool, choose “Visit” and select “Canada” as your current residence. Read the guide, complete the application and provide the requested information. A paper application is limited to situations involving a disability or a problem with the online application. If biometrics are requested, book them as soon as possible.
What happens if my visitor status expires before I apply?
In some cases, you can apply to restore visitor status if less than 90 days have passed since expiry. Use IMM 5708, select the restoration option and explain why you stayed. A restoration fee applies, and approval is not assured. Do not describe a late application as maintained status; maintained status applies when the application was made before expiry.
Can I leave Canada while my visitor record application is pending?
You can face entry requirements when returning after travel outside Canada or the United States. A pending application does not remove those requirements, and a visitor record is not a visa. Before leaving, review the documents needed for re-entry and consider the visitor’s status and circumstances. Travel decisions should not be based only on the pending extension application.
First find the real expiry date and count back 30 days. If you want the application or a restoration reviewed, book a consultation through North Vista Immigration’s visitor visa and eTA page. For applying from outside Canada, see its guide to what to check before a Canada visitor visa. North Vista is a regulated immigration consultant in Mississauga; it cannot promise an outcome.