{"id":2487,"date":"2026-11-12T20:53:32","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/visitor-record-extend-stay-canada\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T20:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:53:32","slug":"visitor-record-extend-stay-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/visitor-record-extend-stay-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Extending your stay in Canada: the visitor record explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 12, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 12, 2026: IRCC’s extend-your-stay guidance and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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What it is:<\/strong> a document that extends a visitor’s stay; it isn’t a visa.<\/p>\n

When:<\/strong> apply before your current stay ends; if you do, you keep your status while waiting (maintained status).<\/p>\n

Why a lawyer:<\/strong> a refusal ends your status, and the clock for restoration and court starts at once. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our immigration lawyers<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
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Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

How it works<\/h2>\n
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The visitor record at a glance<\/caption>\n
Question<\/th>\nAnswer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
When to apply<\/td>\nBefore your current stay ends (IRPR s. 181)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Status while waiting<\/td>\nMaintained, if you applied in time (IRPR s. 183)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can I travel?<\/td>\nLeaving Canada ends maintained status; see going to the US on a visitor record<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is it a visa?<\/td>\nNo. You may need a new visa to re-enter; see a visa showing the old expiry date<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
If refused<\/td>\nRestoration within 90 days (IRPR s. 182); judicial review within 15 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What the officer wants to see<\/h2>\n