Can I restore my visitor status if it expired while I was in Canada?
If your visitor status expired while you were in Canada and you did not apply to extend it before it lapsed, you are out of status. IRCC allows you to apply to restore visitor status within 90 days of losing it. A restoration application asks IRCC to reinstate your status as if it had not expired — it is not the same as applying to extend a valid status and it is not guaranteed to be approved.
To restore status, you must still meet the requirements for visitor status: adequate funds, ties to your home country, no criminal inadmissibility, and a genuine intention to leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. You must pay a restoration fee and explain why you failed to maintain status.
After 90 days, restoration is no longer available and your only option is generally to leave Canada and apply for a new visa from outside. Acting within 90 days and getting legal help with the application significantly improves your chances of a positive outcome.
Key takeaways
- You can apply to restore visitor status within 90 days of losing it
- Restoration is not automatic — IRCC assesses whether you meet visitor requirements
- After 90 days, restoration is not available and you must generally leave Canada
- Acting quickly and getting legal help gives you the best chance of restoration