How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor? A border services officer at the port of entry in Canada will determine how long you can stay in Canada. Most visitors are allowed a six-month stay from the day they entered Canada. If the officer authorizes a stay of less than six months, they will indicate in your passport the date by which you must leave Canada. If you want to stay longer than your authorized stay, you should apply for an extension at least 30 days before the authorized end of your stay.
Extend your stay in Canada as a visitor
If you want to extend your stay in Canada, you must apply to do so. Check your temporary resident status to make sure you apply before the expiry date. This will be on your study or work permit, the stamp in your passport or, if you do not have a stamp in your passport, 6 months from the day you entered Canada. You should apply 30 days before your status expires to:
* extend your visitor, student or work status,
* change your permit type (for example, from a study permit to a work permit) or
* change your permit condition(s) (for example, if you are studying and you want to change schools, or if you are working and you want to change jobs). Find out how to extend your stay as a visitor.
Implied status
If you apply to extend your permit, and your visitor visa expires while you are waiting for a decision, you still have temporary resident (visitor) status. This is known as implied status.
What is the difference between a single and a multiple entry visa? If you need a visa to come to Canada, you can apply for a visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa). There are two types: a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa. Both are valid for a fixed period and cannot be used after they expire.
A multiple entry visa allows visitors to come and go from Canada for six months at a time, without having to reapply each time. It can be valid for up to 10 years, or one month before your passport expires, whichever is earlier. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa.
A single entry visa allows you to come to Canada only one time. Once you have left Canada, excluding travel to the United States and St. Pierre and Miquelon, you will need a new visa to travel back to and enter Canada.
If your visa is still valid and you are travelling only and directly to the United States (including its Territories and Possessions) or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you do not need a new visitor visa to return to Canada.
Starting on February 6, 2014 (00:01 EST), all visa applicants will automatically be considered for a multiple entry visa. The visa officer reviewing your application may be able to give you this type of visa even if you applied for a single entry visa.
How do I help a family member or friend apply to visit Canada? Anyone who visits Canada must apply from outside the country. Your friend or family member must first find out if they need an eTA or a visa.
An eTA is required for most visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada. If they need an eTA, they can apply online. If they need a visa, they can apply online or on paper. A visa officer will review the application and decide whether to issue a visa. You may provide your family member or friend a letter of invitation in support of their visa application. It should explain how you will help the person. For example, you may offer to pay for plane tickets or accommodation. A letter of invitation can help, but it does not guarantee the person will get a visa.
Letter of invitation
Sometimes, when you apply for a visa to visit Canada, we ask you to give us a letter of invitation from someone in Canada.
A letter of invitation does not guarantee that we will issue a visa. Visa officers assess you to decide whether you meet the terms of Canada's immigration law.
Information for the person writing the letter of invitation
Writing a letter of invitation does not mean you are legally responsible for the visitor once he or she gets to Canada. You should still write the letter in good faith. You must tell the truth and plan to keep the promises you make in the letter.
Send your letter (notarized, if the visa office asks for that) to the person you are inviting to Canada. The person must then send this letter to the Canadian embassy or consulate outside of Canada when he or she applies for a temporary resident visa.
You must include this information about the person you are inviting:
* complete name,
* date of birth,
* address and telephone number,
* your relationship to the person,
* the purpose of the trip,
* how long the person plans to stay in Canada,
* where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things, and
* when the person plans to leave Canada.
You must include this information about yourself:
* complete name,
* date of birth,
* address and telephone number in Canada,
* job