How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?

Visitor status in Canada is governed by federal immigration law. When you enter Canada as a visitor, the border officer typically grants you authorization to stay for six months, although they have discretion to grant less. This is the standard entry period for most visitors who do not receive a formal visitor record. The six months runs from your date of entry, not from any other date.

If you have a visitor record — a formal document issued by IRCC that specifies a different stay period — your authorized stay is the date shown on that record. A visitor record may extend your stay beyond the initial period granted at entry, or it may be issued for a shorter period.

To stay beyond your authorized period, you must apply to extend your stay before it expires. Remaining in Canada beyond your authorized date makes you out of status. You should not assume you can simply depart and re-enter to reset the clock — IRCC and border officers are aware of this approach and may deny re-entry.