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Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 12, 2026: IRCC’s extend-your-stay guidance and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations checked that day.
What it is: a document that extends a visitor’s stay; it isn’t a visa.
When: apply before your current stay ends; if you do, you keep your status while waiting (maintained status).
Why a lawyer: a refusal ends your status, and the clock for restoration and court starts at once. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
Visitors who want to stay longer than the date stamped in their passport, or longer than the default six months, can apply from inside Canada for a visitor record. Apply before your current stay ends: if you do, you can usually stay while the application is processed, with the same conditions. A visitor record isn’t a visa: it doesn’t let you leave and come back. If the extension is refused, your status ends, and you have 90 days to apply for restoration and 15 days to go to the Federal Court. Officers apply the same test as for the visa: they must be satisfied you’ll leave at the end of the extended stay.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares visitor record applications and handles refusals, restoration and Federal Court challenges; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.
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How it works
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When to apply | Before your current stay ends (IRPR s. 181) |
| Status while waiting | Maintained, if you applied in time (IRPR s. 183) |
| Can I travel? | Leaving Canada ends maintained status; see going to the US on a visitor record |
| Is it a visa? | No. You may need a new visa to re-enter; see a visa showing the old expiry date |
| If refused | Restoration within 90 days (IRPR s. 182); judicial review within 15 days |
What the officer wants to see
- A reason for the longer stay, with documents.
- Funds for the extra time.
- Continuing ties at home, and a planned departure date.
- Valid insurance, if you’re on a super visa.
If it’s refused
See a refused visitor record and restoration of status.
Why hire a lawyer for an extension?
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- applying before your status ends, with the right evidence;
- advising on travel while the application is pending;
- restoration and judicial review if it’s refused;
- planning a lawful exit or a longer-term route.
A refused extension starts two clocks at once. One lawyer handling the application, restoration and court protects your status.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can take a refusal to the Federal Court. An immigration consultant cannot file or argue it there.
Mistakes I have seen
- Applying after the stay has already ended.
- Travelling to the US while the extension is pending.
- Working while waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an extension online?
Yes, through IRCC’s online application.
How long can I extend for?
The officer decides, based on your reasons and evidence.
Can I work while I wait?
No. Visitors can’t work without authorization.
What should I do right now?
Check the date your current stay ends, gather proof of funds and the reason for staying longer, and apply before that date.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- IRCC: Extend your stay in Canada
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, ss. 181–183
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 182
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 72
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.