Canada is the second biggest country in the world is blessed with picturesque landscapes, distinctive sites, and brilliant educational universities for visitors to explore. Foreign nationals from various countries are legally allowed to enter and live in Canada for a maximum of 6 months each time on Visitor visa. Once the legal status as a visitor expires, the holder of this visa is expected to leave the country. If the visitor is keen on extending his/her stay in Canada, then applying for an extension is inevitable and should be done at least 30 days before the expiry of the said period as specified in the visitor visa.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VISITORS TO ENTER CANADA:

Two documents are extremely significant if you are willing to enter Canada as a Visitor.

• An electronic travel authorization (eTA) – Most of the foreign nationals traveling to and through Canada by air and belonging to the visa-exempt countries need an eTA and not a visitor visa to enter Canada.
• A visitor visa (temporary resident visa) – Foreign nationals willing to travel to Canada belonging to non-visa-exempt countries require a Visitor visa to enter and stay in Canada.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR VISITOR VISA EXTENSION OR VISITOR VISA RENEWAL?

It is to be noted that the application for extension of Visitor Visa should be filed way before (at least 30 days before) the expiry of the current legal status as a visitor. The maximum period of stay allowed on a Visitor visa is 6 months each visit and therefore understanding the computation of this period accurately is necessary. Using the primary inspection kiosk to enter Canada will give you a tentative maximum period as your legal status of being a visitor will expire either in 6 months from the date of entry or from the date of expiry of your passport whichever comes first. If the holder of a visitor visa is willing to stay in Canada for a longer duration than that of 6 months, then he/she needs to apply for a Visitor record.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT VISITOR RECORD IS:

A document that allows the holder to live in Canada with a legal status is called a Visitor record. It is not a visa but it specifies the expiry date of the record wherein the holder needs to leave the country. The holder can also apply for an extension to legally stay in Canada.