A Guide to Extending Your Temporary Stay in Canada

September 29, 2020

spscanada

Yes, we have been there, and we understand what it’s like! Being an immigrant means, tracking down your status period from time to time, and meeting deadlines with valid documents! As troublesome as it may sound, it is not difficult if you understand the procedures, from the right representative.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, there are several travel restrictions in place, since March 18, 2020, and leaving the country or entering the country may not have been possible for many immigrants. If you are a temporary resident, you must take some actions to extend your legal status, within the time frame.

Extending your Visitor status

The first time you entered Canada as a visitor, you must have used the following documents:

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

However, if you are now extending your stay as a visitor, you must apply for a visitor record. Please note that a Visitor Record is not a Visa, it is a document, which allows you to stay longer, providing a Visitor Status in Canada, and has a new expiration date, until which your stay is valid, however, it does not guarantee that you can leave and re-enter again.

You need to apply before your current status expires, most of the visitors can stay in Canada for 6 months.

Extending your temporary worker status

To be eligible for an extension of your temporary worker status, you must submit the application before the expiry date.

Temporary Workers on an open work permit, do not have restrictions for working with any employers, and need not renew or extend the work permit, to start working for a new employer, and are required to extend their permit, only if it is expiring.

Temporary Workers on a closed work permit will however have to

• Apply for a new LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada,

or

• Submit a new offer of employment, and

• Pay the employer compliance fee if you don’t need an LMIA

Moreover, workers should also apply to change conditions of their work permit, if their occupation or wages at work are changing substantially, or they are changing employers.

For any work permit extension, you must be eligible to submit the application before the expiry date of your status and continue to meet the initial requirements of the stay and abide by the conditions on the status, including meeting requirements under which you are applying to restore the status as workers.

You can apply through an online portal of IRCC by making sure you have all the documents required, fill the form completely and validate, pay the fees, and submit your application.

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

If your application is successful, you will be receiving the document granting approval for your temporary residence application, with a new expiry date. However, you are required to leave Canada after your current status expires in case it gets rejected.

You will have 90 days to restore your status for refusal. Due to the impact of COVID-19, you can now restore your status till December 31st, 2020 if your status expired after January 30, 2020.

Do you need assistance in getting the right guidance for your temporary residence applications and extension? We can help you achieve your goals, by suggesting what is right and wrong for you! 

Want to extend your temporary stay in Canada? Simply Start your Assessment ASAP Or reach us at support@spscanada.com or call (1) 905-362-9393

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