When a person enters Canada as a visitor, they are authorized to remain for a fixed period — typically 6 months from the date of entry, unless a specific different end date is noted by the border services officer. A visitor record is a document issued by IRCC or CBSA that formally specifies the conditions and end date of a visitor's authorized stay, either at the border or through an inland application. If a visitor wants to remain in Canada longer than their authorized period, they must apply for a visitor record extension before their current authorized stay expires. Applying before expiry allows the visitor to remain in Canada on implied/maintained status while IRCC processes the application. If the authorized stay has already expired, a separate restoration of status application is required — available within 90 days of expiry — but restoration is discretionary. This page explains the visitor record, how to extend authorized stay, and what happens in overstay situations.

For current fees, forms, and the application process for visitor record extensions, refer to the IRCC extending your stay page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), s 183 — conditions of temporary resident status, including authorized period of stay
• IRPR, s 183(2) — default 6-month authorized stay for visitors admitted without a specific end date
• IRPR, s 183(5) and s 184 — application to extend authorized stay; implied status for applicants who apply before expiry
• IRPR, s 182 — restoration of temporary resident status within 90 days of expiry
• IRCC: Extend your stay in Canada (visitor record) — canada.ca/extend-stay-visitor
• IRCC: Restore your status as a visitor — ircc.canada.ca/restore-visitor

Visitor record vs Temporary Resident Visa — key distinction

These two documents serve different purposes and are often confused:

• A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is an entry document — it authorizes the holder to board a flight to Canada and seek admission at a Canadian port of entry. The TRV does not control the length of stay in Canada
• A visitor record is a stay document — it sets the authorized period of stay inside Canada. A visitor record is issued after entry (either at the border or by IRCC online) and specifies the end date of the visitor's authorized stay

Most visitors do not receive a visitor record at the time of entry — CBSA either stamps the passport with a specific end date or admits the visitor for the standard 6-month period without a written record. A visitor record becomes relevant when a visitor applies to extend their stay beyond the initial period — the approved extension is issued as a visitor record document.

How long is a visitor authorized to stay?

The authorized period of stay for a visitor is determined at entry:

• If no specific end date is noted: the visitor is authorized to stay for up to 6 months from the date of entry — or until the day before the passport expires, whichever comes first
• If CBSA writes a specific date on the passport stamp: the visitor is authorized until that specific date, which may be less than 6 months
• If a visitor record is issued at entry: the visitor's authorized stay is the end date on the visitor record

Visitors should check what date appears in their passport and, if a visitor record was issued, the date on the visitor record — the earlier of the two dates governs when their authorized stay ends.

Extending authorized stay — apply before expiry

A visitor who wants to remain in Canada beyond their authorized period must apply for a visitor record (extension) through IRCC. The critical rule:

• The application must be submitted before the current authorized stay expires — applying even one day late means the visitor's status has expired and restoration (not extension) is required
• IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the authorized stay expires to allow processing time
• If the application is received before expiry, the visitor may remain in Canada on implied/maintained status while IRCC processes the application — they have not overstayed

Applications are submitted online through the IRCC portal using IMM 5708. For the application process, refer to the IRCC visitor record application page.

Implied/maintained status for visitors

The implied status rules for visitors are the same as for work and study permit holders — if a visitor submits an extension application before their authorized stay expires and the application is pending, they may remain in Canada under implied status:

• Implied status continues until IRCC makes a decision on the extension application
• If the extension is approved: the visitor continues under the new visitor record
• If the extension is refused: the visitor must leave Canada promptly (typically within the period specified in the refusal notice)
• A visitor on implied status cannot leave Canada and re-enter on implied status — leaving ends implied status (with a limited exception for brief US travel, see the travel outside Canada page)

For a full explanation of implied status, see the implied/maintained status page.

Restoration of status — within 90 days of expiry

If a visitor's authorized stay has already expired — meaning they did not apply to extend before the end date — they may apply to restore their status as a visitor, provided it has been fewer than 90 days since the expiry date. Key points about restoration:

• Restoration is filed using the same application form as an extension (IMM 5708) but is assessed differently — the applicant must satisfy IRCC that they deserve to have their status restored despite the overstay
• Restoration is discretionary — IRCC may refuse restoration if the overstay was lengthy, deliberate, or the applicant has a history of non-compliance
• If restoration is approved, the visitor receives a new visitor record with an authorized stay end date
• If restoration is denied: the visitor is an unlawful temporary resident and may be subject to removal; they may also face consequences for future Canadian immigration applications
• Restoration is only available within 90 days of expiry — a visitor who has been in Canada without status for more than 90 days after their authorized stay expired cannot restore their status and must leave Canada

For information on restoring status, refer to the restoration of status page.

Conditions attached to a visitor record

A visitor record issued by IRCC will specify conditions of the visitor's stay. The standard conditions for a visitor are:

• Must not work in Canada (unless the visitor holds a work permit or is otherwise work-authorized)
• Must not study in Canada (unless authorized)
• Must leave Canada before the authorized stay end date on the visitor record

Conditions may be modified by IRCC in the extension decision — for example, if there are humanitarian or compassionate circumstances.

The most common visitor overstay scenario is a visitor who does not realise their 6-month period has expired — either because they didn't track the date from their entry stamp, or because they expected a different duration. Visitors should note the entry stamp or passport notation at the time of entry and calendar the 30-day-before-expiry mark as an application reminder. The implied status protection only applies if the extension application is submitted before expiry — there is no grace period. A visitor who has overstayed and is within 90 days should apply for restoration promptly; the longer the overstay, the more likely IRCC is to exercise its discretion to refuse. For current fees, the online application process, and processing time estimates, refer to the IRCC visitor record extension page.