Extending Your Stay as a Visitor: Do I need to apply?

Do I need to extend my stay in Canada as a visitor if my work permit expires BEFORE my return flight home?

The "Expiry Date" on your work permit is the date you must stop working in Canada. In most cases, it's also the date your temporary resident status expires in Canada. However, if there’s a “Must leave Canada by” date on your work permit, then your status in Canada expires on the “Must leave Canada by” date.

If your temporary resident status expires before the date of your return flight home, then you must apply online with the Government of Canada to change your status from a worker to a visitor, as you will no longer have legal status in Canada once this expires. You must complete and successfully submit your online application to IRCC before this expires. You can find instructions on how to do this here.

Where can I locate my work permit "Expiry Date" and my "Must Leave Canada By Date"?

You can locate these dates on the bottom of your work permit, as shown in the image below:

Do I need to extend my stay in Canada as a visitor if my return flight home is only one or a few days after my temporary resident status expires?

Yes. All foreign nationals must apply to change their status from a worker to a visitor before their temporary resident status expires if they would like to remain in Canada after that date, regardless of how long they intend to stay. 

Do I need to extend my stay in Canada as a visitor if my temporary resident status expires before my return flight home but I am a U.S. citizen?

Yes. All foreign nationals must apply to change their status from a worker to a visitor before their temporary resident status expires if they would like to remain in Canada after that date, regardless of their citizenship. 

Do I need to extend my stay in Canada as a visitor if my temporary resident status expires before my return flight home but I hold a valid eTA? 

Yes. All foreign nationals must apply to change their status from a worker to a visitor before their temporary resident status expires if they would like to remain in Canada after that date, regardless of if you hold a valid eTA. An eTA allows you to enter Canada, it does not, however, provide you with legal status to remain in Canada.