Can I stay in Canada if my visitor visa expires?

Understanding Your Status After Visitor Visa Expiration

As a visitor in Canada, maintaining proper immigration status is essential to avoid potential legal consequences. When your visitor visa expires, you must ensure that you either depart the country or apply for an extension or change in status.

Legal Status After Visitor Visa Expiration

If your visitor visa expires, you may still be in Canada legally under certain circumstances:

• Student Visa: If you have applied for and been accepted into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and have received a valid study permit, you can remain in Canada legally.
• Work Visa: If you have obtained a work permit through an employer, you can stay in Canada as long as your permit is valid.
• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Record: If you have applied for a TRV and received a temporary resident status document, you can stay in Canada until the expiration date listed on the document.

Maintaining Proper Status

It’s important to note that simply applying for an extension or change in status does not automatically extend your legal stay in Canada. You must maintain proper status until a decision is made on your application. This means:

• Continuing to meet the conditions of your original visitor visa (e.g., not working without a work permit)
• Avoiding any activities that could jeopardize your status (e.g., committing crimes)
• Cooperating with any requests from immigration authorities

Overstaying Your Status

Overstaying your visitor visa is a serious offense that can result in:

• Deportation from Canada
• Difficulty obtaining future visas
• Potential criminal charges

Consequences of Overstaying

If you overstay your visitor visa, you could face the following consequences:

• Accumulation of Overstay Fees: You will be charged a daily fee for each day you remain in Canada after your visa expires.
• Detention: You may be detained by immigration authorities if you are discovered to be overstaying.
• Deportation: You will be deported from Canada and may be banned from re-entering the country for a period of time.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper immigration status is crucial for anyone visiting Canada. If your visitor visa is expiring, it’s essential to understand your options and ensure that you remain in legal status until your departure or until a decision is made on your extension or change of status application. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences.