Visitors to Canada are typically authorized to stay for 6 months from the date of entry (or as stated on any document issued by CBSA at the border). If you need to stay longer — to care for a family member, recover from illness, extend a vacation, or await a travel document — you can apply to extend your status as a visitor by applying for a Visitor Record. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Calculate Your Extension Fees
Use the fee calculator to see the current cost of a Visitor Record application and related IRCC fees.
Fee Calculator — freeWhat Is a Visitor Record?
A Visitor Record is a document issued by IRCC that extends your authorized period as a visitor in Canada and specifies a new expiry date for your stay. It is not the same as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — a TRV allows you to travel to and enter Canada, while a Visitor Record extends how long you can stay once inside Canada.
A Visitor Record does not allow you to work or study in Canada — it only extends your visitor status. If you need to work, you must apply for a work permit separately.
The 6-Month Default Stay
When you enter Canada as a visitor, your authorized stay is typically 6 months from the date of entry unless:
- ✓ A CBSA officer stamps a specific date in your passport — that date is your authorized stay limit
- ✓ Your passport expires before 6 months — your authorized stay ends when your passport expires
- ✓ Your TRV expires before 6 months — your authorized stay ends when the TRV expires (for visa-required nationals)
Check your passport stamp: Some visitors assume they have 6 months automatically. Always check whether a CBSA officer has stamped an earlier date in your passport or issued a paper indicating your authorized stay period.
How to Apply for a Visitor Record (Extension)
Critical deadline: You must apply for a Visitor Record BEFORE your current authorized stay expires. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days beforeyour authorized period ends.
- 1Log in to your IRCC account: Applications are submitted online at ircc.canada.ca. Create an account if you don't have one.
- 2Complete the application forms: The main form is IMM 5708 (Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder).
- 3Gather supporting documents: Valid passport (covering your intended stay), financial evidence showing you can support yourself, proof of reason for extension (medical documentation, family emergency letter, etc.), travel itinerary or return flight reservation.
- 4Pay the application fee: Currently $100 CAD per person. Check IRCC for the current fee before submitting.
- 5Submit before your status expires: Once submitted before expiry, implied status begins — you can stay while IRCC processes the application.
Implied Status — Staying Legally While You Wait
If you submit your Visitor Record application before your authorized stay expires, you benefit from implied status. This means:
- ✓ You may remain in Canada under the same terms and conditions as your current status while IRCC processes your application
- ✓ Implied status continues until IRCC makes a decision
- ✓ If your application is approved, IRCC issues a Visitor Record with a new expiry date
- ✓ If your application is refused, you must leave Canada promptly
Implied status does NOT allow you to leave Canada and re-enter. If you leave Canada while on implied status, your extension application is abandoned and you cannot re-enter until you have a valid TRV/eTA. Do not travel internationally while on implied status unless you have a valid entry document.
What Happens If You Overstay?
If you remain in Canada after your authorized stay expires without an approved extension or implied status, you are in Canada without authorization. This has serious consequences:
Removal from Canada
Being without status can result in a removal order from CBSA. Depending on the length of overstay, this may include a bar on returning to Canada.
Future Application Refusals
A history of unauthorized overstay in Canada is a significant negative factor in any future immigration application — visitor visa, work permit, study permit, or PR.
No Right to Work
Visitors cannot work in Canada at any time — authorized or not. Working without authorization while overstaying compounds the violation.
If you realize you have overstayed without authorization, consult a qualified immigration lawyer immediately. Voluntary departure is always better than a removal order. Some overstay situations can be addressed through a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or restoration of status applications.
Can You Work While Waiting for a Visitor Record?
No. Implied status from a Visitor Record application maintains your visitor conditions — and visitors are not authorized to work in Canada. Working without a work permit is a violation of IRPA regardless of whether you have a pending extension application.
If you wish to work in Canada, you must apply for the appropriate work permit separately. In some cases, you can apply to change your status from visitor to worker from within Canada if you obtain a qualifying job offer and meet eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my Visitor Record be for?+
IRCC officers decide the length of the extension based on the reasons provided in your application. Extensions are not always for 6 months — if your reason is time-limited (medical appointment, event, pending travel document), the Visitor Record may match that period. There is no guaranteed minimum.
Can I apply for a Visitor Record multiple times?+
Yes. You can apply for multiple extensions, but IRCC officers assess each application on its merits. Repeated extensions raise questions about whether you are a genuine temporary resident. Ensure you have clear, documented reasons for each extension.
My authorized stay was not stamped — how do I know when it expires?+
If CBSA did not stamp a specific date, your authorized stay is 6 months from the date of entry as shown in the Canadian landing record. Check your passport for the date of entry stamp. If in doubt, contact IRCC or check your travel history on the IRCC client portal.
Can I leave Canada to visit the US while my Visitor Record application is pending?+
No. Leaving Canada while on implied status (pending extension) abandons your application. You would need a valid TRV or eTA to re-enter Canada after the US visit — your pending application does not serve as re-entry authorization.
Important: Immigration fees and processing requirements change. Always verify current requirements, fees, and form numbers on the IRCC website before applying. This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer if your situation is complex.
Important: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.