A Guide to Extending Your Temporary Stay in Canada

Sep 29, 2020 / 2 min readspscanada

Extend Your Temporary Stay in Canada

We understand the situation very well. Being an immigrant often means tracking your status, watching expiry dates, and submitting the right documents on time. While it may sound stressful, the process becomes simple with proper guidance from the right representative.

Due to COVID-19, Canada introduced several travel restrictions starting March 18, 2020. As a result, many temporary residents could not leave or re-enter the country. If you hold temporary status in Canada, you must take timely action to extend your legal stay.

Extending Your Visitor Status

When you first entered Canada as a visitor, you used one of the following documents:

  • A visitor visa, also known as a temporary resident visa
  • An electronic travel authorization (eTA)
  • A valid passport or travel document

To extend your stay as a visitor, you must apply for a visitor record.

A visitor record is not a visa. It is a document that allows you to stay in Canada for a longer period and provides a new expiry date for your visitor status. However, it does not allow you to leave and re-enter Canada.

You must submit your application before your current status expires. In most cases, visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Extending Your Temporary Worker Status

To extend your temporary worker status, you must apply before your current work permit expires.

Temporary workers holding an open work permit can work for any employer in Canada. They do not need a new permit to change employers. However, they must extend their work permit if it is close to expiry.

Temporary workers holding a closed work permit have additional requirements. They must either:

  • Obtain a new LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada or Service Canada, or
  • Submit a new offer of employment

If an LMIA is not required, the employer must pay the employer compliance fee.

Workers must also apply to change the conditions of their work permit if there is a significant change in occupation, wages, or employer.

Applying for a Work Permit Extension

For any work permit extension, you must apply before your status expires. You must also continue to meet the conditions of your stay and comply with all requirements related to your work permit.

Applications can be submitted through the IRCC online portal. Ensure that all required documents are ready. Complete and validate the forms, pay the applicable fees, and submit the application online.

As of September 24, the processing time for online temporary residence applications within Canada is approximately 197 days. This delay is due to the impact of COVID-19.

Application Decision and Status Restoration

If your application is approved, you will receive a new document confirming your temporary residence status along with a new expiry date.

If your application is refused, you must leave Canada once your current status expires.

Normally, you have 90 days to apply for status restoration after refusal. Due to COVID-19, IRCC allowed restoration until December 31, 2020, for those whose status expired after January 30, 2020.

Need Professional Guidance?

Do you need expert support to extend your temporary status in Canada? With the right guidance, the process becomes smooth and stress-free. SPS Canada Immigration is here to help you choose the right option and move forward with confidence.

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