Learn about the complete process of Canada’s visitor visa extension in order to prolong your stay. According to the guidelines, an individual seeking a Visitor Visa extension must apply 30 days before the expiration date. The first thing is to apply online for a Visitor Record to extend your stay as a visitor, an authorized worker without a work permit, or a student with the authority to study without holding a study permit.
When individuals first enter Canada, they do so through a visitor visa, ETA, valid passport, or travel document. Mostly, visitors in Canada can stay up to six months. In the case of a stamped passport, visitors must leave per the date given on the stamped passport.
The complete process of Canada’s Visitor Visa extension – Online application
Applying online indicates that the immigration department receives your application instantly for a faster application process. Individuals who have already applied via paper will not need to re-submit the online application.
The significance of applying online
- One doesn’t have to pay the courier charges or undergo the mail delivery time.
- The processing of applications might happen faster.
- You can ensure that you have submitted a complete application.
- It is far more convenient to submit an increased number of documents digitally.
- You can access your current application status through your digital account.
Applying for a Visitor Record – What are the steps?
If you seek to apply for a visitor record, you must make sure to comply with the following steps:
Keep the forms ready
IRCC provides an online instruction guide that each individual must refer to before applying for the visitor record. Doing so will help them understand the documentation requirement based on their individual case. After reading the instructions, they must fill out the following forms:
- Form IMM 5708 – This consists of the Application to Change Conditions, Extension of Stay In Canada as a Temporary Resident permit holder or visitor.
- Form IMM 636.51 – This must be filled only if applicable. It is the Statutory Declaration of the Common-Law Union.
- (If applicable) Form IMM 5476 – Use of Representative
Note: Individuals must download these forms as they will not be able to access them by clicking on them. Fill them out with the help of a PDF editor.
Stay prepared with your responses for the online tool
Before you upload the forms, you’ll need to answer a few questions. After giving the answers, you will be able to access a personalized document checklist.
Here are the questions you will need to respond to in order to have your personalized document checklist:
- You will be asked what you would do after moving to Canada.
- You will need to inform them about the current territory or country of residence.
Create an account
As an applicant, you must fill out the GCKey Account, and once you have done that, you must sign in for the following:
- Application fees payment;
- Application submission; and
- Verification of application status.
The visitor record application fee is $100, so possessing a credit or debit card is necessary.
On the other hand, you might apply for the visitor record via paper application in the following conditions:
- Inability to submit an online application due to a disability or
- In the case of an issue with the online application system
What happens after applying?
After applying, you must arrange your biometrics collection appointment as soon as possible. Eventually, this will eliminate any processing delays. In addition, if you notice that the processing time limit has been crossed, you can connect with IRCC through the Web form. The visitor record online applications have a standard processing timeline of 151 days. However, for paper applications, it is 106 days.
Note – A visitor record is not the same as your visitor visa; the date mentioned on the visitor record is the one on which you must depart from Canada. In addition, one can’t work or study through a visitor record. Therefore, to do so, you must apply for a work or study permit separately.
Is it possible for someone to leave Canada and return with just a visitor record?
A visitor record doesn’t authorize anyone to re-enter Canada as it is invalid as an entry document. Therefore, a visitor visa or eTA is essential to return to Canada after departure.
Do you have more queries on a Canada visitor visa? Get in touch with our immigration representatives at MakeHomeCanada by writing to us at [email protected].
