What is the difference between a visitor visa and a visitor record in Canada?
A visitor visa (called a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) is an entry document — a sticker or stamp in your passport that allows you to board a plane to Canada and present yourself at the border. Citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt need a TRV to travel to Canada. Having a visa does not guarantee entry; a border officer makes the final admission decision.
A visitor record is different. It is issued by IRCC — sometimes at the port of entry, sometimes after applying from inside Canada — and it specifies the terms of your stay in Canada: how long you are authorized to remain and any conditions on your stay. When a visitor record is issued, it supersedes the default six-month entry period.
You can have one without the other. A visa-exempt traveler who extends their stay inside Canada may receive a visitor record without ever having had a TRV. Understanding which documents apply to your situation is important before traveling or applying for extensions.
Key takeaways
- A TRV (visitor visa) is an entry document; a visitor record governs your stay inside Canada
- Citizens of visa-required countries need a TRV; some visitors then also get a visitor record
- A visitor record specifies exactly how long you may remain
- The two documents serve different purposes and have different application processes