Visa Extension

Your temporary resident status expires after you have submitted your application for an extension but before you receive a decision on the application. You can stay in Canada under an “implies status”, which means that the law implies you are a temporary resident. This temporary resident status lasts until Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) takes a decision on your new permit application, thereby granting you a visa extension.

If you have a single-entry visa, the same allows you to enter Canada once. In case you leave Canada during an authorized stay, you must get a new visitor visa, to re-enter Canada.

Visa Extension Application

An application to change conditions or extend your visa in Canada is applicable for individuals who are already here in Canada and they include:

Visitors to Canada
Study Permit Holders
Work Permit Holders

A Canadian visa extension is for individuals who at the time of the application have valid status in the country.

Extending Temporary Resident Visa

By keeping an attentive check on the temporary resident status, individuals can apply for an extension before the visa expires. It is recommended for the applicants to carry out application process at least 30 days earlier than the expiry of your temporary resident status.

Study Permits

The Study Permit allows international students to live and study in Canada for a specific period depending on the application and other important factors. Based on the applicant’s profile, the visa may have restrictions on the level of studies, permission to work, duration of the stay, etc. During the course, the applicant/student gets an option to work part-time. The study permit allows students to spend an extra 90 days after the completion of the course/studies to prepare for their departure or to apply for a visa extension.

Work Permits

If you have a work permit that will be expiring soon or in a case wherein you need to do changes in it, you need to apply to extend it or change the conditions on it. You need to apply at least 30 days before your current work permit expires. You can’t extend your work permit beyond the expiry date of your passport.

Visa Extension Checklist

If you are a visitor, temporary worker, or student, you may apply to renew your status.

In order to be eligible, you must:

Submit your visa extension application form before the original expiry date of your status.
Continue to meet the initial requirements of your stay.
Abide by all the conditions of your status (i.e. not working or studying without authorization).
Meet the requirements of the category under which you are currently applying to be restored as a temporary resident.

How to Apply for a Visa Extension Canada?

You will be required to complete an application package and provide your personal information and necessary documents.

Each member of your family who wishes to extend their stay in Canada must apply separately. This includes your spouse or common-law partner as well as any dependent children.

Here’s how you can apply:

Make sure you have all the necessary documents
Pay the fees
Make sure to fill in the forms as completely as possible. Keep a copy for your records.
Sign and date your forms.
Submit your application, required fees and all supporting documents online.

What is the Processing Time for Canada Visa Extension?

Online applications take 103 days to process on average, while paper applications take 111 days. There may be delays due to the corona virus outbreak.