Visitor Record
Generally, the temporary resident visa (visitor visa) allows you to enter and stay in Canada for a maximum of 6 months. If you wish to stay longer after entering Canada, you need to apply for a visitor record to extend your stay legally in Canada.
It is important to adhere to the conditions of your stay in Canada, staying longer than what your visa allowed (without applying for a visitor record) is against the law, and it will have a negative affect on all you future immigration applications in Canada.
Visitor record is not a visa, and it doesn’t allows you to enter Canada once you leave the country, instead it is a document that allows you to stay in Canada longer and it includes new expiry date.
Who can apply for a visitor record
Every visitor who entered Canada legally and wishes to extend his stay needs to apply for a visitor record. It doesn’t matter if you entered Canada using Electronic Travel Authorization or temporary Resident Visa, if you wish to stay in Canada longer you need to apply for a visitor record.
After applying
If you apply for a visitor record before your status in Canada expires, you can stay in Canada legally until a decision is made on your application, even if your status expires while processing your visitor record application.