Canada will no longer process work permit applications for people with visitor status. Some individuals might wonder what alternatives remain. So, here’s how to extend your visitor status in Canada.

Until August 28, visitors to Canada had the option to apply for work permits from within Canada as part of a temporary measure brought in during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed newcomers stranded in Canada because of travel restrictions to work while waiting to return home and fill urgent vacant positions in the national labor force.

Since then, Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, has reported that over 138% of the jobs during the pandemic have recovered, and the present unemployment rate stands at 6%. 

The outcome has been that Canada has been repealing many of the temporary measures put in place during the pandemic. With the cessation of these measures, if you are on a visitor status in Canada, getting a work permit might now be more challenging. However, there are still options to remain in the nation with lawful status. 

Visitors In Canada 

Coming to Canada as a visitor does not offer you permission to work or study in Canada. You must leave on or before your visitor’s record expiry date. 

In addition, IRCC issues visitor visas. Not all nationalities require a visa to come to Canada. 

Certain foreign nationals might be eligible to enter Canada with an electronic Travel Agreement (eTA). Either way, while there are certain exceptions, a visitor visa is typically valid for ten years. Most visitor visas grant the recipient multiple entries into Canada. 

Visitor Record 

There are certain ways to extend your visitor status in Canada. Upon arrival, a foreign national visiting Canada will usually be issued a visitor record by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) at the port of entry, although this issuance is not mandatory. 

A visitor record is a document separate from your passport. Generally, your visitor record will allow you to remain lawfully in Canada for 183 days. It is possible that the border officer might indicate that you will need to leave earlier. Your visitor record will have an expiry date, which is the date by which you must leave the nation. 

Furthermore, you might wish to stay in Canada longer than your status validity. To maintain your status as a visitor, you can even apply for an extension of your visitor record. To do so, a separate application package should be submitted to IRCC before the expiration of the status document. 

For extending your temporary visitor status in Canada, you should apply at least 30 days before your present status expires. 

If Your Temporary Status Has Already Expired 

IRCC notes that if your temporary status has expired, you can no longer apply for an extension. It might be possible to apply for a restoration of status if you apply within 90 days of expiration. If 90 days have passed, you just leave Canada.   

Expiring Work Or Study Permits 

In order to extend your visitor status in Canada, you must know about the expiring work or study permits. 

A worker or a student in Canada can apply to extend their status as a worker or student and continue to remain in Canada. They should be eligible to apply for the respective permits. 

From the date that IRCC obtains your application until they decide on your application, you will benefit from what is called ‘maintained status,’ provided that you remain in Canada. It will allow you to continue working or studying in Canada while IRCC decides on your application. 

You can prove you have maintained status with proof of your application for your permit extension. 

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].