Temporary Resident / Visitor Visa – Application Process

If you are married outside of Canada and you want to come to Canada on a visitor visa (known as a Temporary Resident Visa), you will have to apply in your home country. Information on how to apply for a visitor visa can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canadawebsite or at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You will have to meet all of the screening requirements.

Once you are in Canada, your husband can start the sponsorship process. You can stay in Canada while your sponsorship application for permanent residency is being processed. This process has to begin 30 days BEFORE your visitor visa expires.

If for some reason your husband is unable to begin the sponsorship process before the last 30 days of your visa, you would have to extend your visitor visa 30 days BEFORE your visa expires. To do this, you will have to provide the following:

• Details of why you want to stay longer
• Proof of identity
• Proof of current status in Canada
• Evidence of how you will support yourself in Canada
• Proof that you can pay for transportation to leave Canada

You can get the forms and instructions needed to apply for an extension on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

If you let your visa expire, you cannot apply for an extension. Instead, you must apply for a restoration of your temporary resident status. This means that you must leave Canada and then apply for another visa before you can re-enter. This may or may not be granted by Immigration Canada.

If your application for extension is granted, immigration documents will be mailed to you.