What is Canadian visitor record?

Canadian visitor record, also known as Canadian visit record, is not a visa or passport, but an independent identity document used to extend or limit the stay of ordinary visitors in Canada.

It is a type of big visa, used to maintain identity in Canada, and cannot be used for entry and exit (except to and from the United States). Visitor record holders cannot legally study or work in Canada.

The content of this document includes the validity period of the applicant’s stay in Canada as well as the date the applicant must leave Canada.

Generally, when a visitor enters Canada, they are issued on the spot with this card by an official of the Canadian Border Services Agency, CBSA. If the applicant wants to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, they must inform the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) official.

In addition, IRCC of the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship also has the authority to issue Visitor Records, as well as approve the extension of the applicant’s stay in Canada or the restoration of your status.

A visitor record is a document that a border services officer may issue to you to extend or restrict your stay in Canada. If you want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you have to tell the border services officer.

You may also get a Visitor Record after approving your application to extend your stay or restore your status. A Visitor Record is issued either by the Canada Border Services Agency or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Canada Visitor Record Requirements

Applicants need to apply for visitor records under the following circumstances:

1. The applicant arrives at a Canadian port of entry for the first time, and know they want to stay for more than 6 months; or

2. The applicant is currently in Canada and has decided that they want to stay longer.

It’s important to note that when the applicant enters Canada, the CBSA only typically issues a residence time of 6 months or less. But if the applicant wants to stay for a longer period of time; in this case, they can apply for a Visitor Record.

In addition, this document is also important for applicants in Canada’s international Student or temporary worker status (that is, applicants holding a study permit or work permit whose study permit or work permit are about to expire).

If such applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements for applying/renewing a study permit or work permit, but wish to extend their stay in Canada legally, they can also apply for Canadian Visitor Record.

Note: Applicants must apply at least 30 days before the expiration of their legal residence period/legal status in Canada (such as work permit, study permit or tourist visit visa).

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Difference between Canadian Visitor Visa and Visitor Record

Visit/Visitor Visa, also known as Temporary Resident Visa, TRV, or colloquially “small visa”, is an official document offered to citizens from countries that require visas who want to travel to Canada for a duration not exceeding 6 months.

The visitor visa is usually affixed to the passport of the applicant and obtaining this visa means that the applicant meets the requirements for legal entry into Canada.

The visitor visa includes the date the applicant must arrive in Canada, and if the applicant is applying for a study or work permit for the first time, they will automatically obtain a visitor visa when their application is approved.

Canada does not set up a special type of accompanying student visa, so parents of international students cannot directly apply for accompanying student visas to go to Canada to accompany students.

Many parents hold Canadian visitor visas (visitor tourist visas, a type of small visa), and their legal stay cannot exceed 6 months. So if for example the accompanying parent wants to stay in Canada for more than six months, it is necessary to apply for Visitor Record as a proof of identity. After applying for Visitor Record, parents do not need to leave the country once every six months.

Eligibility for Canada Visitor Record?

1. Applicants whose work permit or study permit is about to expire but want to stay in Canada for various reasons.

2. Applicants who have entered Canada with a Visitor Visa and will stay in Canada for more than 180 days.

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3. Applicants who have submitted an immigration application, are waiting for approval in Canada and their current Canadian status is about to expire

Canadian Visitor Record usually gives applicants about 6 months of legal residence time. But the following situations are different:

1. For accompanying parents or spouses holding Canadian study permits or work permits, that is, parents or spouses who are studying or working in Canada, these parents or spouses and other family members can obtain visitor records for the same period of time as the valid period of study permits and work permits.

2. If the child is in Canada with the student or work permit holder, the child can get a longer visitor record extension/duration.

3. For parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, if they are eligible for the Super Visa, the Visitor Record can usually be issued for another year.

How to apply for Canadian Visitor Record?

There are two ways to apply for Visitor Record in Canada:

1. Apply online

2. Application for mailing paper documents

For the official application guide for Canadian Visitor Record, please click:

Instruction Guide [IMM 5551]

How Much is the Canadian Visitor Record?

The Canadian visitor record application fee is 100 Canadian dollars, which can be paid online by credit card.

Materials Required for Visitor Record Application

Whether it is an online application or a paper mail application, the main material list includes:

1. Applicant’s clear passport information page, including passport photo, personal information and visa and signature pages; or

2. If the applicant does not use a passport, please provide a photo of the applicant’s travel or identity documents (citizenship certificate, birth certificate, alien registration certificate, etc.);

3. Applicant’s current immigration documents (if applicable)

4. Applicant’s marriage certificate (if applicable)

6. Visa photos

7. Application Form IMM5708

8. Proof of funds, usually only need to have a balance certificate of 5000-10000 Canadian dollars in Canada with no freezing or turnover history

9. If accompanying relatives studying or working in Canada, provide their study permit and work permit, proof of their studying or working and proof of relatives

10. If you apply for a 2-year stay (Super Stay Permit), you need to provide your child’s passport or Maple Leaf Card, child support letter, proof that the child’s income meets LICO , proof of medical examination, and proof of insurance purchase