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.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTENDING YOU STAY AS A TEMPORARY RESIDENT:

A temporary resident can apply for anextension of stay by renewing his/her legal status. Following is the eligibility criteria for the same:

• One must ensure that the application for extension of stay in Canada is submitted way before the expiry date of the applicant’s legal status.
• It is pivotal to note that the initial requirements of one’s stay are complied with.
• One should conform to all the specified conditions of one’s own status. For instance: working or studying in the absence of a valid authorization
• The requirements of the said category are met under which one is applying for extension as a temporary resident.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCESSING TIME FOR VISITOR VISA RENEWAL:

The application needs to be completed with proper and authentic information and attach all the required and supportive documents. If the whole family is willing to extend their stay every individual member of the family must apply separately.

The following steps are involved in the application process:

• Ensure the presence of all the necessary documents.
• Prompt payment of the fees for the process.
• Ensure completion of forms and ensure to have a photocopy of the same for reference and records.
• Checking for the date and sign the documents.
• Submission of application alongside supportive documents.

The processing time for the applications ranges from 100 days – 115 days. Successful applications result in an immigration document rendering you a legal status with a new expiry date. Likewise, rejected applications result in allowing you to stay in Canada only until the expiry date on your current legal status. Furthermore, the refused applications allow you to apply for an extension within 90 days from the date of refusal to apply for restoration again.

Applying for an extension of your visitor visa is a tedious and tiring process as it may involve various rules, restrictions and discrepancies that one may not be aware of. This is when one realizes the need of professionals who can guide us well and help us walk through these complicated procedures real quick and with no errors. MODE IMMIGRATION services is one such exceptional team of professional Immigration consultants who can mentor, guide you at every single stage in the entire immigration, extension and application processes.