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Visitor Visa Extension Reasons in Canada: What Should You Know

November 1, 2020BY Immigration In Canada

There are many reasons for extending visiting visa in Canada. Suppose you came to Canada to visit a friend or to see the beautiful country but got stuck because of the Corona pandemic?

Or, simply you need to stay some more because of some personal reasons! You have your visa or residence permit in your pocket, and now you have to extend your stay.

There can be thousands of reasons to extend your visa. But not all of them are accepted by the Authority. Today, we will explain Canada’s most significant visitor visa extension reasons and how to use them.

Visitors Visa: Can You Really Extend Your Stay in Canada

Of course, you can. You can apply to extend your stay beyond the expiration date of your temporary resident visa or study permit. This is called an “extension” request.

You have to:

  1. Complete your extension request by one of the following means:
  • Online on the Government of Canada site,
  • In hard copy using an application package ;
  1. Pay the fees;
  2. Submit your application at least 30 days before your temporary resident visa or study permit expires.

Suppose your visa expires before your extension request is accepted. What will happen then? Do not worry. You can legally remain in Canada while waiting for your visitor visa or student visa to be extended. Your status then becomes implicit.

*Students Attention:

If you do not apply for a student visa extension 30 days before it expires, you will lose your student status. This means that you cannot continue to study in Canada. In this case, you have 90 days to request the reinstatement of your student status.

Documents required for visitors to enter Canada

You must have the two following documents to enter Canada.

  • An electronic travel authorization (ETA)

For just a making a short travel issue, you need eta only. Most foreign nationals travel through this so-called electronic visa in Canada.

  • A visitor visa (temporary stay visa)

Visiting Canada from non-visa-exempt countries requires this issue of a temporary visa. They can extend the period of this temporary visa.

Eligibility for extending the stay as a temporary resident

To be eligible for extending the stay of temporary residence, you must have those criteria.

  • One must ensure the extension application before the end of the expiration date in Canada. There is a legitimate time frame to do the procedures.
  • The initial requirements of the persons have to fall into the necessary category. Without necessary reasons, the temporary resident permit will not be extended.
  • You must have a valid record to get extended as a temporary resident. Therefore, completion of forms and attachment of documents is necessary while making the application.
  • Checking the date and sign of the documents is also necessary for making an application. Moreover, it requires proper reasons mentioned on the application.
  • Finally, applying with all supportive documents is most prior. Missing supporting documents may make deprive you of claiming the temporary residence.

As the application processing time will take 100-115 days, submit your application before the expired dates. And keep in mind that rejection of your application will permit you to stay in Canada until the expiry date ends.

Visitor Visa Status: How to Change Your Status?

Sometimes people want to change their visitor visa status to another. For example, you might want to stay in Canada to start your studies or to work there. You must apply to change your status 30 days before your temporary resident visa or tourist visa expires.

You can request one of these two statuses:

  • Obtain worker status by applying for a work permit;
  • Obtain student status by applying for a study permit.

Reminder:

There is something you need to know before applying for a student visa. Practically, a visitor visa or tourist visa can’t simply be converted to a student visa. It is only applicable if you want to attend a short course.

If granted, you can stay in Canada until the course finishes. The reason is that a student visa needs more documents and requirements like legality. Diploma certificates etc.

Visitor Visa Extension Reasons In Canada: What Valid Reason to Give

There are various reasons to state, but our advice will be to tell the truth. The Authority will investigate and allow you to stay if you have a valid reason.

In contrast, making false stories to hide any illegal activity will hamper your reputation. As a result, your future attempt in Canada will face difficulty.

Every reason is good or bad, as its supporting documents and the specifics of each case.

You will have a better chance of success if you show a legitimate reason to stay longer. For example, you can show a document where your employer in your country of origin extends your leave of absence.

Also, include any commitments in your home country that justify returning. If you have already prepared to return, include evidence of it.

A friendly reminder:

There is a different way in the case of parents and grandparents. It is possible to request an extension of stay under the conditions of a super visa. It allows the applicant to stay in Canada for up to two years.

In this type of extension, the child must have the required minimum wage according to the number of family members. The applicant must take medical exams and take out medical insurance.

Why Is It Important To Provide Valid Reason?

It is important for the person who wants to stay longer to justify their request adequately. Asking to stay for the next six months (that’s what we usually try) is quite a long period of stay in Canada.

So if you do not justify your request convincingly, the immigration officer may suspect you. The Authority may think that a person stays in Canada, not for tourism, but for profit. Because how much can you really visit the country or visit your family or friends? A year is really quite a long time.

Another critical issue is the delivery of a letter of guarantee from someone who invited us to Canada. Or someone who provides us with maintenance when applying for an extension of temporary stay.

The guarantor’s letter should contain information about his place of residence and information about sources of income. We advise you to attach additional documents from your Canadian host in the form of

  • An employment letter,
  • Tax confirmation from revenue Canada
  • Notice of Assessment, etc.

Please also note that the list of documents recommended by the office includes a copy of the return ticket. It is therefore worth booking a return ticket on the date when the tourist wants to leave Canada. Add this to the application. The official is then informed that the applicant intends to return, which increases the chances of a positive decision.

How long can a temporary stay be extended?

Theoretically, there is no limit. But if the tourist only has a tourist motive to stay in Canada, the next extension may already be rejected by the office. For example, in the category of family reunification. But I emphasize that it all depends on the individual circumstances of the case.

Legally there is no limit to the extensions allowed. However, it is advisable to submit one or a maximum of two extension requests, depending on the circumstances.

A third application is more likely to be denied unless there are circumstances that really warrant this extension. Also, there should be strong evidence that the applicant is financially supported in Canada.

Conclusion

Like we said before, there can be a hundred reasons to stay, but the Authority looks for only the valid visitor visa extension reasons in Canada. So, think carefully before applying and ensure you have the right reasons.

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    In generally takes six months to get the citizenship after taking the Citizenship Test and Interview.

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