Extending your Temporary Resident Visa in Canada

Coming to Canada as a Visitor

Canada is one of the most popular countries that people tend to travel to. Some travel to Canada to visit their friends and family, whereas some travel to enjoy Mother Nature that Canada has to offer. In order to visit Canada, you will need to apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) if you are not from a visa-exempt country. However, visitor visas have their expiration dates. Once your visitor visa expires, you need to exit the country immediately. If you would like to extend your stay in Canada, you definitely have the option to do so. In this blog, you will learn about the basics of applying for a visitor visa extension.

Visitor Visa Extension Process

If you would like to extend your visitor visa, you will need to apply for the extension at least thirty days before your current status expires. If Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada approves your application to extend your stay in Canada, you will receive a visitor record. A visitor record is a document that says how long you can stay in Canada. It will include an expiration date and a date that you must exit Canada by.

How Do I Apply for an Extension for My Visitor Visa

There are two ways by which you may apply for visitor visa extension: by mail or by the online application system. It is highly recommended that you submit your visitor visa extension application online because:

· You do not need to pay courier fees or wait for the mail delivery time – Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada will get your application instantly.

· Your application may be processed more quickly.

· You can quickly submit more documents online (if you receive additional document request from Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada).

Indeed, not everyone has access to the online application system. Specifically, some individuals may not apply online because of a disability or a technical issue with the online system. If that is the case for you, you may submit a paper application. If you choose to submit a paper application, you will need to pay courier fees and wait for the mail delivery time.

Do I Need to Give Biometrics

As you may know, biometrics are an important part of a visitor visa application, work permit application, or a study permit application. If you submitted your biometrics to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada in the past as part of your visitor visa, work or study permit application and they are still valid (biometrics are valid for ten years), you do not need to undergo this process again.

How Much is the Application Fee for Visitor Visa Extension

It is very important that you make the payment before you submit your application. The application fee for visitor visa extension is $100 CAD. If you are submitting a paper application, make sure your print out the receipt and include it in your mail. Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada will return your application if you do not provide the receipt.

What will Happen After I Apply

After your application has been submitted, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada will review it. If they still require more explanations or more documents, you will receive a notification from them. At that point, you will need to comply with Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada’s request and duly submit all requested documents. Failure to do so will result in a delay or even a refusal of your application.

Usually, the processing time of an online application is 55 days. However, processing times will also vary based upon individual circumstances. Regardless, if the processing time of your application is longer than expected, then you are recommended to contact Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada to inquire the status of your application.

If you change your contact information such as residential address, phone number, fax number, or email, you need to update Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada as soon as possible. If Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada cannot get a hold of you, your application will be delayed or even refused.

Last but not least, if you apply for your visitor visa extension before the date you are supposed to exit Canada, you can legally remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application. This is called an “implied status.”

Contact Akrami & Associates

It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned information into consideration before you attempt to apply for a Visitor Visa extension. Additionally, it is extremely important to note that these are difficult applications to pursue on your own; therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the Visitor Visa Extension application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients gain temporary residency in Canada and can now enjoy their visit in Canada through proper authorization. If you believe that you may be eligible for a Visitor Visa extension , please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!