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Visitor Visa Extension
EXTEND Your Canada Stay with these Simple TRICKS - Visitor Record, Work Permit
How to extend your stay in Canada if you have reached the end of your work permit is a very important topic because there are many applicants in Canada who are looking to extend their stay. Some are unable to get an affordable LMIA. Some are on the verge of getting their permanent residence. They know they are going to receive their Invitation to Apply (ITA) very soon, but they have not received it yet and their work permit is about to expire.
Some applicants entered Canada on a study visa, while others entered on a closed work permit. If you want to understand the available ways to extend your stay in Canada, this guide explains the options discussed in detail.
1. Options to Extend Your Stay in Canada
If your work permit is expiring anytime soon, there are several possible options to extend your stay in Canada. These include:
- Visitor Record
- Open Work Permit Extension
- PGWP Extension (where applicable)
- Study Permit Extension
- Taking another study program that can lead to permanent residence
- Switching the primary applicant between spouses, if married
- LMIA-based Closed Work Permit
The most suitable option depends on your individual situation. In some cases, a Visitor Record may be appropriate, while in others, an Open Work Permit application may provide better benefits. Understanding the differences between these options is important before making a decision.
2. Taking Another Study Program
Another option is to take a new study program.
If you have never studied in Canada before, you can complete a study program and later become eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
However, if you have already completed a study program and have already received your PGWP, you will not receive another PGWP after completing a second eligible program.
In that situation, you can choose a program that can lead directly to permanent residence.
For example, if you do not currently have the eligibility required under the Caregiver Program because it requires either six months of experience or six months of similar education, you can complete an Early Childhood Education program of approximately eight to twelve months.
After completing that program, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Caregiver Program if the program opens on the expected date.
Although this type of study does not provide another PGWP, it can extend your stay in Canada and eventually make you eligible for permanent residence.
3. Option for Married Applicants
If you are married, another option may also be available.
For example, if one spouse previously studied in Canada and the other received a Spouse Open Work Permit, the roles can be reversed.
The secondary applicant can enrol in a master’s program, become the primary student, and the other spouse may become eligible for a Spouse Open Work Permit.
This is another possible way to extend your family’s stay in Canada.
4. Visitor Record
A Visitor Record is one of the simplest options available.
If your work permit is expiring, you want to remain in Canada, and you do not have another immediate option, you can apply for a Visitor Record to maintain your legal status in Canada.
A Visitor Record allows you to stay in Canada and maintain your status. Its primary purpose is simply to allow you to remain in the country legally.
This option can be particularly useful if you are waiting for your permanent residence process.
For example, if your Express Entry score is already high enough and you believe you may receive an Invitation to Apply through the Canadian Experience Class in the near future, you may prefer to remain in Canada rather than leave the country and return later.
In that situation, you can apply for a Visitor Record, remain in Canada legally, and wait until you receive your ITA.
However, while staying on a Visitor Record, you cannot work.
5. Express Entry Profile Is Not a Permanent Residence Application
It is important to understand that having an Express Entry profile is not the same as submitting a permanent residence application.
An Express Entry profile is simply an Expression of Interest. It is not the actual application for permanent residence.
Although it is only an Expression of Interest, it is still a digital record of your profile. Therefore, you should not enter incorrect information or change your employment details without proper justification.
Once the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off reaches your score, you may receive an Invitation to Apply.
After receiving the Invitation to Apply, you submit your complete permanent residence application along with all supporting documents.
Once your application is submitted, you receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
After receiving the Acknowledgement of Receipt, you become eligible to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
A Bridging Open Work Permit is usually granted within approximately two months and is generally issued for two years.
During this period, your permanent residence application continues to be processed until you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), completing your PR process.
Applying for a Visitor Record is therefore one way to maintain your legal status while waiting for permanent residence, but it is important to remember that you cannot work while holding Visitor status.
6. Open Work Permit Extension: An Alternative to a Visitor Record
While a Visitor Record allows you to maintain your status in Canada, there is another option that may be more beneficial in certain situations: applying for an Open Work Permit Extension.
If you are currently on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you may consider applying for a PGWP extension instead of a Visitor Record.
6.1 When Is a PGWP Extension Possible?
A PGWP extension is only possible if you originally received a shorter work permit than you were entitled to.
For example, if you were eligible for a three-year PGWP but received only two years because your passport was expiring soon, you can later apply for the remaining one year after renewing your passport.
In this situation, the extension is legitimate because you are requesting the period that you were originally eligible to receive.
However, if you already received the full duration of your PGWP, you are not eligible for another PGWP extension.
6.2 Why Some Applicants Still Apply for an Open Work Permit Extension
Some applicants apply for an Open Work Permit Extension even though they know it will eventually be refused.
The reason is the current processing time.
At present, the processing time for a PGWP or PGWP extension is approximately 227 days, which is roughly six to eight months.
Instead of immediately changing to a Visitor Record, some applicants choose to submit an Open Work Permit Extension application because it gives them additional time while the application remains under processing.
This approach may be useful for applicants who believe they will receive their Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence during that period.
6.3 Applying for an Open Work Permit Extension
If you decide to submit an Open Work Permit Extension application, you should simply state that you want to stay in Canada longer.
Do not write anything incorrect about your profile.
Do not include information that could be considered misrepresentation.
In fact, there is no need to include unnecessary explanations in the application.
Simply submit the application correctly and wait for processing.
If you know that you are likely to receive your ITA soon, the processing period can provide additional time before a decision is made on the application.
6.4 Using the Additional Processing Time
One example is an applicant who submitted a PGWP extension application on 25 May.
Although it was understood that the application would not ultimately be approved, the applicant wanted to continue working in Canada to complete one full year of Canadian work experience.
Submitting the extension application provided additional months to continue working.
After completing the required work experience, the applicant became eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Once eligible, the applicant submitted the PNP application.
After receiving the nomination, the Express Entry profile received an additional 600 points.
This eventually led to an Invitation to Apply through Express Entry.
After receiving the ITA, the applicant submitted the complete permanent residence application along with all supporting documents.
Once the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) was issued, the applicant became eligible to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
6.5 Two Applications Running at the Same Time
In some situations, two applications may be running simultaneously.
For example, the PGWP extension application may still be under processing while the Bridging Open Work Permit application has already been submitted after receiving the AOR.
Since Bridging Open Work Permit applications are generally processed faster than PGWP extension applications, the visa officer may notice that two temporary applications are running in parallel.
Usually, one application is processed while the other is withdrawn or disregarded.
6.6 Scenario One: Bridging Open Work Permit Approved
In the first scenario, the Bridging Open Work Permit is approved.
The applicant receives the new work permit because they are eligible for it.
The earlier PGWP extension application is automatically withdrawn or discarded.
The applicant also receives a refund for the PGWP extension application fees.
In this situation, the applicant continues working in Canada under the Bridging Open Work Permit while the permanent residence application is processed.
6.7 Scenario Two: PGWP Extension Refused
The second scenario is that the PGWP extension application is refused before the Bridging Open Work Permit application receives a decision.
In this case, the applicant becomes out of status.
Once out of status, the applicant has 90 days to restore their status.
During this period, the Bridging Open Work Permit application is still under processing.
The applicant cannot continue working after losing status, but by this point they have already gained valuable additional time in Canada.
They may have completed the work experience needed for permanent residence, earned additional income, or become eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program.
Compared with remaining on a Visitor Record, they have already benefited from the additional months that allowed them to continue working and building their eligibility for permanent residence.
7. Study Options That Can Lead to Permanent Residence
If your work permit is expiring, another option is to take a study program that can extend your stay in Canada while also creating a pathway to permanent residence.
This option is particularly suitable for applicants who have already completed one study program, received a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and are now reaching the end of their work permit without obtaining permanent residence.
Although another study program will not provide a second PGWP, it can still help extend your stay in Canada and may make you eligible for permanent residence through other immigration pathways.
7.1 Study Programs That Can Lead to PR
One example is an Early Childhood Education program.
Under the Caregiver Program, applicants are required to have either six months of relevant work experience or six months of similar education.
If you do not currently meet these requirements, you can complete an Early Childhood Education program of approximately eight to twelve months.
After completing the program, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Caregiver Program if the program opens on the expected date.
Although this type of study does not provide another PGWP, it allows you to remain in Canada while becoming eligible for permanent residence.
For someone whose PGWP is expiring, this can be a practical option because the study extends the stay in Canada and can eventually lead to permanent residence.
8. Who Can Consider This Option?
This option is suitable for applicants who entered Canada on a study permit, completed their studies, received a PGWP, but were unable to obtain permanent residence before their work permit expired.
Instead of focusing on another PGWP, they can choose a study program that supports a permanent residence pathway.
The study itself is not expected to be difficult.
The program includes practicum and internship components, with approximately four months of study in a hybrid format and a total duration of around eight to ten months.
This type of program can help extend the stay in Canada while preparing the applicant for permanent residence through the Caregiver Program.
9. Applicants Who Entered Canada on an LMIA
Applicants who entered Canada on an LMIA-based work permit can also consider taking a study program.
Although this study will not result in a PGWP, it can make the applicant eligible for permanent residence.
Another option is to choose a regular study program that includes PGWP eligibility.
Applicants on an LMIA work permit can consider a one-year master’s degree, a two-year master’s degree, or a two-year diploma.
When selecting a study program, it is recommended to focus on programs offered in RCIP communities or master’s programs at Ontario public universities.
10. Study in RCIP Communities
One option is to complete a study program in an RCIP community.
You can choose a one-year master’s degree, a two-year master’s degree, a two-year diploma, or even a bachelor’s degree.
After completing the study, you may become eligible to receive a nomination for permanent residence.
For applicants planning to study again, this is one of the pathways that can lead to PR.
11. Ontario Master's Graduate Stream
Another option is the Ontario Master’s Graduate Stream.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete a master’s degree at an Ontario public university.
After completing the master’s program, you may become eligible under the Ontario Master’s Graduate Stream.
This is a non-Express Entry option with a significant number of available seats.
However, most Ontario master’s programs require a four-year bachelor’s degree for admission.
According to the discussion, one exception is Algoma University, which has recently started accepting some applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree.
12. RCIP and Ontario Master's Graduate Stream
For applicants considering further studies, two pathways are highlighted:
- Study in an RCIP community.
- Complete a master’s degree at an Ontario public university and become eligible under the Ontario Master’s Graduate Stream.
These are presented as two of the strongest study-based options for obtaining permanent residence.
Universities Mentioned
Three universities are specifically highlighted:
- Algoma University
- Laurentian University
- Lakehead University
These universities are recommended because they fall within RCIP communities and may also provide eligibility under the Ontario Master’s Graduate Stream.
According to the discussion:
- Algoma University is located in Sault Ste. Marie.
- Laurentian University is located in Sudbury.
- Lakehead University is also identified as being in one of the eligible communities.
Studying at one of these institutions can provide more than one pathway towards permanent residence, allowing applicants to choose between RCIP and the Ontario Master’s Graduate Stream after completing their studies.
For applicants whose work permit is nearing expiry, selecting the right study program can extend their stay in Canada while also creating additional opportunities to become eligible for permanent residence.
13. Option for Married Applicants
If you are married, another option may be available to extend your stay in Canada.
For example, if the husband previously came to Canada as the primary student and the wife received a Spouse Open Work Permit, the roles can now be reversed.
The wife can enrol in a two-year master’s degree program and become the primary applicant, while the husband may become eligible for a Spouse Open Work Permit.
For this option to work, admission to a two-year master’s degree program in Canada is required because, without a two-year master’s degree, a Spouse Open Work Permit is not possible.
In this situation, the primary applicant becomes the secondary applicant, and the secondary applicant becomes the primary applicant.
For example, the husband may have completed two years of study followed by a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit. After that, the wife can complete a two-year master’s degree and later receive a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit.
This creates an additional five-year window to stay in Canada while continuing the permanent residence process.
This option has been used in previous cases and can provide a much longer period to remain in Canada.
Instead of spending money on other options, studying can provide a longer opportunity to stay in Canada.
Both spouses can benefit, with one spouse receiving a Post-Graduation Work Permit while the other receives a Spouse Open Work Permit.
For married applicants, this can provide a larger window in Canada and more time to complete the permanent residence process.
14. LMIA as an Option
Another option available to applicants whose work permit is expiring is an LMIA-based closed work permit.
If your employer is willing to support you, an LMIA can be obtained through the employer.
However, you should have enough time available for the LMIA approval process before your current work permit expires.
If your employer is supporting the application, this can be done without additional cost.
Some people also purchase LMIAs, and according to the discussion, they are sometimes sold for $40,000 to $50,000.
Although this continues to happen, an LMIA remains one of the available options to extend your stay in Canada.
When applying for an LMIA-based work permit, the job should be related to your previous work experience.
If the new position is not related to your previous experience, it may create problems during the application process and can also result in a refusal.
15. Choosing the Right Option
If your work permit is expiring, the available options include:
- Applying for a Visitor Record to maintain your status.
- Applying for an Open Work Permit Extension while waiting for permanent residence.
- Taking another study program that can lead to permanent residence.
- Studying in an RCIP community or completing a master’s degree at an Ontario public university.
- Switching the primary applicant between spouses if you are married.
- Applying for an LMIA-based closed work permit.
The most suitable option depends on your individual circumstances and your permanent residence plans.
Conclusion
If you need assistance with your application, support is available for study permits, Spouse Open Work Permits, Post-Graduation Work Permits, study permit extensions, permanent residence applications, Provincial Nominee Programs, and French language guidance.
Applicants inside Canada can receive assistance with these immigration processes.
Applicants outside Canada can also receive guidance on applying for a study permit and planning their move to Canada.
Support is also available for visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and passport renewal services in Canada.
