Entry visas and visiting Canada

Did you know that even if your entry visa (also know as a temporary resident visa, visitor visa, or electronic travel authorization) for Canada is valid for several years, it doesn't mean you can stay in the country for that long? Many people are surprised to learn that the validity of their entry visa and the length of time they’re allowed to stay in Canada are not the same thing.

An entry visa or temporary resident visa is a counterfoil document placed in a passport that allows a non-Canadian citizen or permanent resident to enter Canada. It may be issued for a single entry, or it may be valid for up to ten years, but this does not mean visitors can remain in Canada for the entire length of the visa. Once someone enters Canada as a visitor, they are usually authorized to remain for six months, unless the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) writes a specific departure date in their passport.

For those travelling with an electronic travel authorization or ETA the rules are similar. While an ETA can be valid for up to five years, it only allows a visitor to remain in Canada for up to six months at a time.

Citizens of some countries do not need entry visas or ETAs and can simply enter Canada with a passport, but they must still follow the same rules regarding staying in Canada no longer than six months unless other arrangements are made.

If a visitor does not leave Canada within six months or by the date given by the CBSA, they must request an extention, or visitor record, to remain in Canada. In some cases it may be possible to restore visitor status if a visitor overstays.

I have had clients come to visit family in Canada and stay as visitors for over a year, while obtaining a new visitor record every six months. I’ve also had spouses of Canadian citizens remain in Canada for several years without realizing their entry visa did not authorize them to stay that long. Each situation is different, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) addresses them accordingly.

Given that IRCC aims to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada, it may be more difficult to obtain a visitor record to extend a stay in 2025. If you are in Canada as a visitor and you want to extend your stay, or you did not request a visitor record before the end of your authorized stay, reach out to us at CEW Immigration Inc. to discuss your options. We’ll assess your situation to determine the best path forward for you.

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