🇨🇦 Current IRCC Temporary Resident Visa & Visitor Status Framework 2026
Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) & Visitor Record Guide 2026
Understand Canada's visitor visa process, visa validity, authorized stay, Visitor Record extensions, maintained status, restoration and the difference between a TRV and a Super Visa.
1. Visitor Visa (TRV) Basics
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, is a document placed in a passport that shows the traveller meets the requirements to travel to Canada as a temporary resident. A visa's validity period is different from the authorized period of stay granted at the border.
Critical Regulatory NoteDo not confuse visa validity with authorized stay. A 10-year visa does not mean the visitor can remain in Canada continuously for 10 years.
Key Rules
- A visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years, but an officer may issue a shorter validity period.
- The visa may also expire earlier because of the passport expiry date or other applicable validity limits.
- Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months after entry.
- A border services officer can authorize a shorter or longer stay and may record a specific date in the passport or issue a Visitor Record.
- A valid visitor visa does not guarantee admission; the traveller must continue to meet Canada's entry requirements.
- Visa-required travellers generally need a valid TRV to travel to Canada. Visa-exempt travellers may instead need an eTA when flying, depending on nationality and circumstances.
Application Basics
- Visitor visa applications are generally submitted online.
- A paper application is available only for specified situations, such as certain disabilities or certain travel documents.
- Biometrics may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances.
- Supporting documents can include proof of funds, purpose of travel, travel history, employment information, family ties, invitation documents and other evidence relevant to the temporary visit.
2. TRV vs Visitor Record vs Authorized Stay
These three concepts are related but legally different.
| Item | What It Does | Can It Be Used to Re-Enter Canada? |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) | Travel document for visa-required travellers | Yes, subject to entry requirements and visa validity |
| Visitor Record | Shows visitor status and the date by which the person must leave Canada | No. It does not itself guarantee re-entry |
| Passport stamp / authorized stay | Can show the date by which a visitor must leave when no Visitor Record is issued | No. It is evidence of status/authorized stay, not a substitute for the required travel document |
Visitor Record Details
- The Visitor Record is used when IRCC or a border officer grants or extends visitor status with specified conditions and an expiry date.
- The application to extend visitor status is made using IMM 5708.
- The resulting Visitor Record is a status document; it is not an entry visa.
- A visitor who leaves Canada must separately meet the applicable requirements to return.
3. Extending Your Stay With a Visitor Record
Visitors who want to remain in Canada beyond their authorized stay can generally apply for a Visitor Record before their current status expires.
Critical Regulatory NoteDo not add the normal $100 Visitor Record fee to the $246.25 restoration fee when the application is specifically for restoration as a visitor.
Requirements
- Apply before the date you are required to leave Canada.
- Explain why you need to remain longer and provide evidence supporting the requested extension.
- Show that you can support yourself and any accompanying family members during the additional stay, where relevant.
- Continue to meet the conditions of temporary residence.
- The standard Visitor Record extension fee is $100 CAD per person.
Maintained Status
- If you apply to extend your visitor status before the current status expires, you can legally remain in Canada until IRCC makes a decision.
- This is maintained status; there is no statutory requirement to submit exactly 30 days before expiry.
- Applying earlier is sensible because processing can take time, but an application made before expiry is the key legal requirement.
Application FormIMM 5708 — Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder.
4. Proof of Funds, Invitations and Visitor Intent
IRCC does not publish one universal monthly bank-balance requirement for ordinary visitors. The applicant must show enough financial capacity for the proposed trip and satisfy the officer that the visit is temporary and credible.
Critical Regulatory NoteA large bank balance alone does not prove temporary intent. IRCC assesses the overall circumstances, including purpose, ties, finances and credibility.
Evidence
- Current bank statements and other evidence of accessible funds.
- Employment letter, approved leave or business evidence where applicable.
- Travel itinerary or explanation of the intended visit.
- Invitation letter where a Canadian host is supporting or inviting the visitor.
- Evidence of the applicant's family, employment, financial or other ties where relevant.
- Proof of accommodation and who will pay trip expenses when relevant.
- Evidence explaining unusual recent deposits or transfers where those deposits are being relied upon for the trip.
Invitation LetterAn invitation letter can explain the relationship, purpose of the visit, intended dates, accommodation and financial arrangements. A host is not automatically required to provide T4 slips or CRA Notice of Assessment for every ordinary visitor visa application; the evidence should fit the particular case.
Dual IntentA person may have both a temporary-visit intention and a long-term immigration objective in appropriate circumstances. This is commonly called dual intent. The applicant must still satisfy the applicable temporary-residence requirements and satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada when required if the temporary status ends.
5. Super Visa Is Not a Visitor Visa Conversion
A standard visitor visa and a Super Visa are separate immigration products with different eligibility requirements.
| Feature | Ordinary Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it | General temporary visitors who meet visitor requirements | Eligible parents/grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian |
| Application location | Depends on the normal visitor-visa process and applicant circumstances | Applicant must be outside Canada when applying |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months, unless another period is authorized | For applications made on or after June 22, 2023, eligible holders can stay up to 5 years at a time |
| Private medical insurance | No Super Visa-specific insurance requirement | Mandatory qualifying private health insurance |
| Income test | No Super Visa MNI test | Host must satisfy the current MNI rules |
| In-Canada extension | Visitor Record can extend ordinary visitor status | Eligible Super Visa holders can apply for extensions of up to 2 additional years |
Critical Regulatory NoteDo not advertise a standard TRV as a route to a 2-year Super Visa extension.
Important CorrectionA parent or grandparent visiting Canada on an ordinary TRV cannot simply convert that visa into a Super Visa from inside Canada. A Super Visa application must be submitted while the applicant is outside Canada. The 2-year extension is a Super Visa status-extension mechanism, not a normal visitor-visa privilege.
6. Practical 2026 Visitor Visa & Extension Roadmap
Quick Examples
scenario: Visitor enters Canada without a specific departure date in the passport
result: The visitor can generally stay for up to 6 months from entry or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, unless another period is authorized.
scenario: Visitor applies for a Visitor Record before authorized stay expires
result: The visitor can generally remain in Canada under maintained status until IRCC decides the extension application.
scenario: Visitor's status expires before applying
result: The person may be able to apply within 90 days to restore visitor status, but restoration is not guaranteed and the person should not assume they have maintained status.
scenario: Parent in Canada on an ordinary visitor visa wants a Super Visa 2-year extension
result: There is no simple conversion. The parent would need to meet Super Visa requirements and submit the Super Visa application from outside Canada; an ordinary Visitor Record extension is the appropriate in-Canada mechanism for an ordinary visitor.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Determine whether you need a TRV or eTA before planning travel.
✓Apply for the visitor visa online when a TRV is required.
✓Prepare evidence covering purpose of visit, funds, accommodation, employment and relevant ties.
✓Complete biometrics if IRCC instructs you to do so.
✓At arrival, follow the border officer's instructions and check any passport stamp or Visitor Record for the required departure date.
✓If you need to stay longer, apply for a Visitor Record before your current status expires.
✓Use IMM 5708 for the visitor-status extension/restoration process.
✓If your status has already expired, determine whether you are still within the 90-day restoration window before attempting to remain in Canada.
✓If travelling after receiving a Visitor Record, separately check the TRV/eTA and other requirements for re-entry.
✓Do not confuse ordinary visitor extensions with the Super Visa's separate eligibility and application process.
✓Keep copies of your applications, status documents and supporting evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but a border services officer can authorize a shorter or longer period. Check any stamp or Visitor Record for the actual date you must leave.
A visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years, but it can be shorter depending on the applicant's circumstances, passport validity or other applicable validity limits. Visa validity is different from the authorized length of each stay.
Yes. You can generally apply for a Visitor Record before your current visitor status expires. If you apply on time, you can remain in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
In qualifying circumstances, you can generally apply within 90 days to restore visitor status. The restoration fee is currently $246.25 CAD, and a separate visitor-visa fee is not required for restoration as a visitor. Approval is not guaranteed.
No. A Visitor Record establishes or extends visitor status in Canada; it does not itself provide re-entry authorization. You must separately meet Canada's applicable TRV, eTA or other entry-document requirements.
No. A Super Visa has separate eligibility requirements and the applicant must be outside Canada when applying. An ordinary visitor can instead apply for a Visitor Record to extend ordinary visitor status while in Canada.
Official Government Sources & Authorities
- IRCC — Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
- IRCC — How to Apply for a Visitor Visa
- IRCC — Visitor Record: About the Document
- IRCC — Visitor Record: How to Apply
- IRCC — Visitor Record: After You Apply
- IRCC — Visitor Record: Travelling Outside Canada
- IRCC — Guide 5551: Extend Your Stay in Canada
- IRCC — Current Citizenship and Immigration Fees
- IRCC — Super Visa Eligibility
- IRCC — Super Visa Application Process
- IRCC — Super Visa Length of Stay
2026 Visitor Visa Metrics
Visitor Visa Fee$100 CAD per applicant
Visitor Record Extension$100 CAD per person
Typical Authorized StayUp to 6 months, unless officer sets another period
Visitor Restoration$246.25 CAD; visitor visa fee not required
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