Complete Process of Canada Visitor Visa Extension – 2024
Discover the comprehensive procedure for extending your stay in Canada by utilizing a visiting visa. Following the regulations, an individual who wishes to extend their Visitor Visa must apply 30 days before the expiration of the visa. The initial stage is to submit an online application for a Visitor Record to extend your stay as a visitor, authorized worker without a work permit, or student with the right to study without a study permit.
Initially, individuals enter Canada with a valid passport, travel document, ETA, or visitor visa. The majority of visitors are permitted to remain in Canada for a maximum of six months. Visitors are required to depart on the date indicated on their certified passport.
Canada Visit Visa Overview
A visitor is an individual who is either lawfully present in Canada or intends to enter the country for a transitory purpose (e.g., work, study, or visit) but is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of ministerial permission.
Before entering a Port of Entry (POE), all travelers are required to register for and obtain a visa, unless they are exempt. Upon their arrival at a POE, all visitors who are required to obtain a visa must possess it.
The application process for a tourist visa in Canada consists of two stages:
Initial Step: The foreign national must initially submit a visit visa application to the appropriate Canadian visa office in the country or region of their residence. At this juncture, the applicant may be required to participate in an interview with the visa officer, who will evaluate the applicant’s overall admissibility to Canada, the applicant’s ability or wish to depart Canada within the visa validity period, and the applicant’s reasons for visiting Canada.
Second Step: The applicant is permitted to enter Canada upon the acquisition of a visit visa. At the port of entry, an immigration official will interview the applicant to verify their eligibility for admission.
A visitor visa may be valid for a single or multiple entries. Single-entry visas may be issued up to six months before the anticipated travel date. The utmost validity period for multiple-entry visitor visas is five years or one month before the expiration of the passport/re-entry visa, whichever occurs first. Tourist entrance permits are frequently issued by POE officials for six months.
A temporary residence visa may be requested by a foreign national who is currently in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa.
The entire process of Canada’s Visitor Visa Extension – Online application
By submitting your application online, you guarantee that the immigration department receives it promptly, which expedites the application process. Individuals who have already submitted their applications on paper will not be required to resubmit them online.
The importance of applying online
- There is no need to pay for courier services or wait for letter delivery.
- The processing of applications may be speedier.
- You can confirm that you have submitted a full application.
- It is far more convenient to submit a larger number of papers digitally.
- Your digital account gives you access to the current status of your application.
Check Also: Canada Visitor Visa Extension
What are the stages in applying for a visitor record?
To apply for a visitor record, ensure that you adhere to the following procedures:
Keep the forms ready.
Before applying for a visitor record, each individual is required to peruse an online instruction booklet that is provided by the IRCC. This will help them understand the documentation requirements that are unique to their case. The following documents must be completed by students after they have read the instructions:
- This is the Application to Change Conditions, Extension of Stay in Form IMM 5708.
- Canada as a Temporary Resident Permit Holder or guest.
- Fill out Form IMM 636.51 only if it is applicable. This is the Statutory Declaration of the Common-Law Union.
- (If applicable.) Representative Use Form IMM 5476
Note: These forms are not accessible through a simple click; therefore, they must be downloaded by the individual. Utilize a PDF editor to complete the forms.
Stay ready with your responses for the online tool.
Before uploading the documents, you must respond to a few inquiries. Upon completion of the inquiries, you will be granted access to a personalized document checklist.
To obtain your distinctive document checklist, please respond to the inquiries below:
- After migrating to Canada, you will be requested to specify your objectives.
- It will be necessary for you to disclose your current country of residence or territory.
Create an account.
The GCKey Account must be completed by the applicant. Thereafter, you are required to opt in for the subsequent activities:
- Expenses associated with the application
- submitting the application
- confirming its current status.
To apply for a visitor record, a credit or debit card is necessary, as the fee is $100.
Conversely, you may request a visitor record through a paper application in the following scenarios:
- Inability to submit an online application due to a disability or
- In the event of an issue with the online application system.
What happens when you apply?
Schedule your biometrics collection appointment as soon as possible after submitting your application. Ultimately, this will eliminate all processing delays. Furthermore, if you discover that the processing time limit has been exceeded, you may contact IRCC by utilizing the web form. The typical processing period for the online visitor record application is 151 days. Nevertheless, the processing time for paper applications is 106 days.
Please be advised that a visitor record is distinct from a tourist visa; the date specified on the visitor record is the date on which you are required to depart Canada. Additionally, a visitor record is not applicable for employment or academic purposes. To accomplish this, you must apply for a work or study permit on an individual basis.
Is it feasible to leave Canada and return with only a visitor record?
A visitor record does not authorize somebody to re-enter Canada because it is not valid as an entry document. As a result, a visiting visa or electronic travel authorization is required to return to Canada after departure.
Benefits Of Complete Process of Canada’s Visitor Visa
- Multiple Entry: Numerous visitor visas are issued as multiple-entry visas, which permit the holder to enter and depart Canada on multiple occasions during the visa’s validity.
- Extended Stay: The duration of your stay in Canada may be extended to a maximum of six months per visit, contingent upon the type of visa and the circumstances.
- Family Visits: The visa enables you to strengthen personal ties by visiting family members or associates who reside in Canada.
- Tourism: Discover the diverse cultural attractions, natural wonders, and events that are present throughout Canada.
- Business Opportunities: Attend conferences, attend business meetings, or investigate potential business opportunities.
- Pathway to Other Visas: Under specific circumstances, you may investigate the possibility of transitioning to other categories of visas or permits, such as a work permit or study permit, while on a visitor visa.
- Cultural Exchange: Participate in cultural exchanges and gain insight into Canadian culture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the processing time for visitor visa extensions in Canada?
The processing time for the applications ranges from 100 days to 115 days. Successful applications result in an immigration document that grants you legal status with a new expiration date.
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How many times can I apply to extend my stay in Canada?
May I apply more than once for an extension of my temporary resident status? You may apply as many times as you wish, but each time that you apply, you must complete a new application and pay the fee. You must also demonstrate that your residence in Canada is still temporary.
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What is the maximum length of visitor visas in Canada?
6 months
Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months. The border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months.