Visitor's visa expiring after departure date

[Shadow Rider]

My parents want to visit Canada. But unfortunately my mother's multi visit visa expires a month after their arrival in Canada. She would like to stay a little bit longer so I need to make sure that we plan it legally and properly. Here are the options that I am considering:

1. Apply for renewal in home country (there is a risk that the application may take longer than usual and delay her plan)
2. Apply for extension as soon as she arrives in Canada (but I am not sure if the Immigration will be OK with that in case they ask about her return date at the airport and find out that it is beyond the expiry date of the visa in hand)

Please can someone tell me what would be the best option?

 

[Bryanna]

My parents want to visit Canada. But unfortunately my mother's multi visit visa expires a month after their arrival in Canada. She would like to stay a little bit longer so I need to make sure that we plan it legally and properly. Here are the options that I am considering:

1. Apply for renewal in home country (there is a risk that the application may take longer than usual and delay her plan)
2. Apply for extension as soon as she arrives in Canada (but I am not sure if the Immigration will be OK with that in case they ask about her return date at the airport and find out that it is beyond the expiry date of the visa in hand)

Please can someone tell me what would be the best option?

When does her passport expire? At the same time as her TRV? Or does her passport expire several months (at the minimum) after her intended arrival date?

 

[Shadow Rider]

When does her passport expire? At the same time as her TRV? Or does her passport expire several months (at the minimum) after her intended arrival date?

Passport has a a very long expiry (5 years or so after the visa expires)

 

[Bryanna]

Passport has a a very long expiry (5 years or so after the visa expires)

As her passport is valid well after the expiry of her TRV, she has nothing to worry about. No need to apply for a new TRV, nor should she apply to extend her visitor status as soon as she arrives.

Generally speaking, she could be allowed to stay for up to 6 months even if her TRV expires one month after she arrives

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My parents want to visit Canada. But unfortunately my mother's multi visit visa expires a month after their arrival in Canada. She would like to stay a little bit longer so I need to make sure that we plan it legally and properly. Here are the options that I am considering:

1. Apply for renewal in home country (there is a risk that the application may take longer than usual and delay her plan)
2. Apply for extension as soon as she arrives in Canada (but I am not sure if the Immigration will be OK with that in case they ask about her return date at the airport and find out that it is beyond the expiry date of the visa in hand)

Please can someone tell me what would be the best option?

The validity of the TRV has nothing to do with her status in Canada. Visitor status will be granted by CBSA upon entry and is generally for 6 months. It is perfectly fine to be in Canada with an expired TRV as long as status is maintained.

 

[Shadow Rider]

The validity of the TRV has nothing to do with her status in Canada. Visitor status will be granted by CBSA upon entry and is generally for 6 months. It is perfectly fine to be in Canada with an expired TRV as long as status is maintained.

Thanks Canuck.

Just to clarify she is from a non visa-free country so a multi-year visa was obtained in their home country a few ago (which now has just a few more month left until expiry).

Also, please can you clarify what do you mean by "as long as status is maintained"?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks Canuck.

Just to clarify she is from a non visa-free country so a multi-year visa was obtained in their home country a few ago (which now has just a few more month left until expiry).

Also, please can you clarify what do you mean by "as long as status is maintained"?

Not sure how I can clarify it. A temporary resident must maintain legal status in Canada.

 

[bellaluna]

Thanks Canuck.

Just to clarify she is from a non visa-free country so a multi-year visa was obtained in their home country a few ago (which now has just a few more month left until expiry).

Also, please can you clarify what do you mean by "as long as status is maintained"?

The others have explained it, but here's the ELI5 version:

Visa: a document to authorize entry into Canada, issued by a visa office: you can generally enter Canada up to the day before the expiry date written on the passport

Status: authorization to stay in Canada, determined at the port of entry after an interview with a CBSA officer, who checks your visa (or eTA, in cases of visa-exempt nationalities). At the port of entry, most visitors are given 6 months from the date of entry.

These are separate concepts.

Let's say your mom's visa expires on January 2, 2019. She can still enter Canada on January 1. If the CBSA officer does not stamp or write a date in her passport, she is allowed to stay in Canada under legal visitor status up to July 30, 2019, even if her visa already expired.

If she is still in Canada by July 31 without applying for an extension of her status, then she no longer has legal status to remain in Canada.

 

[Shadow Rider]

The others have explained it, but here's the ELI5 version:

Visa: a document to authorize entry into Canada, issued by a visa office: you can generally enter Canada up to the day before the expiry date written on the passport

Status: authorization to stay in Canada, determined at the port of entry after an interview with a CBSA officer, who checks your visa (or eTA, in cases of visa-exempt nationalities). At the port of entry, most visitors are given 6 months from the date of entry.

These are separate concepts.

Let's say your mom's visa expires on January 2, 2019. She can still enter Canada on January 1. If the CBSA officer does not stamp or write a date in her passport, she is allowed to stay in Canada under legal visitor status up to July 30, 2019, even if her visa already expired.

If she is still in Canada by July 31 without applying for an extension of her status, then she no longer has legal status to remain in Canada.

Thank you!