Menu
A visitor visa, alternatively known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), serves as an immigration credential enabling individuals from foreign countries to travel to and enter Canada. Unless you originate from a visa-exempt nation, a visitor visa is mandatory for entering Canada, regardless of whether your purpose is for studying, temporary employment, or a mere visit.
Visitor visas in Canada, whether they are single entry or multiple entry, grant foreign nationals the opportunity to reside legally in the country for a maximum duration of six months. However, once this period concludes, your legal status becomes invalid, and you are required to depart from Canada. Should you wish to prolong your stay beyond the initial six months, it is necessary to apply for an extension while your temporary resident status remains valid. To ensure a smooth process, it is advisable to submit your extension application at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your current status. In the event that your visa expires while your extension application is still under consideration, you are permitted to stay in Canada until a decision is reached, a situation known as implied status.
When visiting Canada, certain individuals are issued a Visitor Record, which is a concise document outlining the terms and conditions of their visit. If you plan on prolonging your stay in Canada, it is possible to request an extension by applying for a Visitor Record.
You are required to obtain a visitor record under the following circumstances:
– Upon your initial arrival at the port of entry, it becomes evident that you have the intention of extending your stay beyond a duration of six months.
– If you find yourself in Canada and choose to extend your stay.
It is essential to submit your application at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your authorized stay in Canada.
The document is separate from your passport and does not reside within it.
The document contains a designated date indicating the expiration of your stay in Canada. This serves as the deadline by which you are required to depart from the country.
The Canadian eTA bears a resemblance to the electronic visa programs implemented by several advanced nations like the United States and Australia. The eTA, as its name implies, verifies an individual’s eligibility to visit Canada without a visa, but it does not ensure entry into the country.
The assessment of travelers’ admissibility into Canada is solely within the jurisdiction of Canadian border officials. Upon approval, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is granted for a duration of five years or until the expiration date of the passport, whichever occurs earlier. A valid eTA permits individuals to travel to Canada for a maximum of six months, though the actual duration of authorized stay can differ depending on the dates endorsed by Canadian border officials in the traveler’s passport.
“Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family.”
— Ban Ki-Moon