Your entry stamp into Canada doesn’t have to be your final word on how long you stay. If your plans change — you want more time with family, a course extends, or travel gets delayed — you can apply from inside Canada for a visitor record, the document that formally extends your authorized stay. Here’s how the process actually works.
What a visitor record is (and isn’t)
A visitor record is the document you need to extend your stay as a visitor, remain authorized to work without a work permit, remain authorized to study without a study permit, or switch from a study/work permit to visitor status while still inside Canada. Importantly, IRCC states directly that a visitor record is not a visa — it doesn’t replace or renew your original Temporary Resident Visa or eTA; it’s a separate proof of your extended authorized stay. (IRCC — Extend your stay in Canada (visitor record))
Fees
- Visitor record extension: from CAD $100 per person, per IRCC’s current fee listing.
- If you haven’t given fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) in the past 10 years, expect an additional biometrics fee.
- If your original status has already expired before you apply, you’ll also need to pay a separate restoration of status fee on top of the extension fee.
Fees are periodically adjusted — confirm the exact current amounts on IRCC’s official fee list before you pay, since this page is updated more often than guide articles like this one.
The maintained status rule — apply before you’re due to leave
This is the single most important timing rule: apply to extend before the date you’re currently authorized to stay until. IRCC explains it directly: “If you apply to extend your stay in Canada before the date by which you’re supposed to leave, you can legally stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application.” This is called maintained status — you keep your legal footing while IRCC processes your extension, even if the decision comes back after your original expiry date.
Your authorized-stay date is whichever of these applies to you:
- The date stamped in your passport at entry, or
- If there’s no stamp, 6 months from your entry date by default, or
- The expiry date on your existing study permit, work permit, or visitor record.
IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before that date lapses. Note that maintained status does not apply if you’re instead applying for a Temporary Resident Permit — that’s a different process with different rules. (IRCC — Who can apply; IRCC — After you apply)
How to apply and how long it takes
Applications must generally be submitted online — paper applications are only accepted for accessibility reasons or if the online system genuinely isn’t working for you. IRCC’s application tool walks you through a personalised document checklist based on your situation (select “Visit,” then your current country of residence as “Canada”), so there isn’t one static document list that fits every applicant — read the instruction guide carefully rather than assuming.
Set expectations realistically on timing. IRCC’s own live processing-time tracker for visitor-record extensions has run well beyond older, commonly-cited estimates — check the current live figure on the official extend-your-stay page before you plan around it, since it changes and can run into the hundreds of days depending on volume. Build in a large buffer, and don’t assume a decision will arrive quickly just because the fee is modest. If approved, the physical visitor record document typically arrives by mail within about 6 weeks of your decision letter.
If your status expires before a decision — restoration
If you didn’t apply in time and your visitor status has already lapsed, you’re not immediately out of options. IRCC’s help centre confirms: “if it’s been less than 90 days since your visitor status expired, you can apply to restore it.” But restoration is discretionary — IRCC is explicit that there is no guarantee your restoration application will be approved. While a restoration application is pending, you’re generally expected to remain inside Canada and not travel abroad, since leaving can compromise your pending application. (IRCC Help Centre — Q1250)
Once more than 90 days have passed since your status expired, there is no administrative restoration path left — the standard route back into status at that point is to leave Canada and apply again from outside the country.
FAQ
Do I need to leave Canada while my extension is being processed? No — if you applied before your authorized stay expired, maintained status lets you legally remain in Canada while IRCC decides, even past your original expiry date.
Can I travel outside Canada while my visitor record extension is pending? Be cautious. Leaving Canada while an extension application is in progress can affect your maintained status and may require a fresh entry assessment on return — confirm your specific situation with IRCC guidance before booking travel.
Is a visitor record the same as renewing my eTA or Temporary Resident Visa? No. A visitor record extends your authorized stay from inside Canada on your existing entry document. Re-applying for a new eTA or TRV is a different process typically tied to leaving and re-entering the country.
This is general guidance, not legal advice — fees and processing times listed on IRCC’s site change regularly, so verify the live figures on canada.ca before you apply. Planning a longer stay in Canada and want help keeping track of deadlines and required documents? Join the VisaMet waitlist.