A visitor visa, also called a TRV, is a document used by travellers who require a visa to travel to Canada and is usually placed in the passport. A visitor record is a separate document recording the authorized stay and conditions in Canada. The visa expiry date and the end of the current authorized stay answer different questions.
A valid visa does not determine the end of this stay
The date on the visa is not the expiry date of the person's current status in Canada. Most visitors may stay for up to six months, but a border officer may authorize a shorter or longer period. Check the entry record, any stay date in the passport and any visitor record issued. Do not rely only on the visa sticker. With no passport stamp, passport or biometrics expiry can also limit the stay; consult IRCC's arrival instructions.
For a longer stay in Canada, review the visitor record process
A visitor who wants to extend the stay should apply for a visitor record. IRCC currently recommends applying at least 30 days ahead and requires submission before current status expires. First establish the existing authorized period, then explain the extension purpose, planned departure, accommodation and funding, using the system's document checklist. Submission and approval are separate stages: a requested end date is not an approved end date.
Leaving and returning requires a separate travel document check
A visitor record is not a visa and does not guarantee re-entry after leaving Canada. Before travelling, check the applicable visa, eTA or other travel document rules and entry requirements separately. An extension document does not replace this check. A valid visa and travel document also do not, by themselves, guarantee admission.
Build a personal date checklist
Record the most recent entry date, actual status expiry and travel document expiry before deciding whether to extend the stay or travel abroad. Expired status, work, study or restoration involves additional rules that need a separate review. This article does not determine a person's status or eligibility. Official sources were checked on October 13, 2026.
Points to keep in mind
- Record travel document validity separately from the authorized stay.
- Plan extension preparation around the current status expiry date.
- A visitor record does not guarantee re-entry.
Official sources and further reading
- IRCC: Difference between a visitor visa and visitor record ↗
- IRCC: About the visitor record ↗
- IRCC: Who can apply and when ↗
- IRCC: Arrival and authorized length of stay ↗
Policies and pages may change. Check the official requirements applicable when you apply and obtain advice for your individual circumstances.