Visiting Canada Difference Between A Visitor Visa & Visitor Record

[Harjap]

Hello,

I am currently in India and I want to visit Canada. While I was browsing the CIC website, I came across something called a visitor record. I am having some confusion about what is the difference between a visitor visa and a visitor record? Do I need to apply for a visitor record as well?

[Rajpal (Admin)]

A visitor visa (also known as a temporary resident visa) is an official document citizens from visa-required countries need to get to travel to and enter Canada as a visitor for up to 6 months. This visitor visa is an adhesive sticker that is put in your passport.

A visitor record on the other hand is a document that a border services officer may issue to you to extend or restrict your stay in Canada. If you want to stay for more than 6 months, you have to tell the border services officer. A visitor record may also be issued after you get approval of your application to extend your stay or restore your status.

[Raj (Admin)]

A visitor record is a status document issued to visa-required or visa-exempt foreign nationals who are seeking to enter or are in Canada. It specifies the conditions and validity period of their temporary stay in Canada. A visitor record may be issued to specifies the validity date (or date by which the foreign national must depart Canada)

A TRV (usually called a visitor visa) is a sticker in your passport that allows you entry to Canada if you are from a visa required country. Currently, most visitors to Canada may visit for up to six months when they first enter Canada. Visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee.