Visitor Record for Super Visa Holders

This is one of the most damaging mix-ups in the super visa world: families apply for a visitor record thinking it is required, and accidentally cut their parent's stay short.

What a visitor record is

A visitor record is an IRCC document that grants a specific authorized stay (with an end date) to a person already inside Canada. It is not a visa and does not allow re-entry. It simply states how long someone may remain.

Do super visa holders need one?

Usually no. A super visa already authorizes a long stay (up to 5 years per entry). You only need a visitor record if your parent wants to stay longer than their current authorized period without leaving Canada.

When you genuinely need a visitor record

• Your parent's authorized stay is ending and they want to remain longer.
• A CBSA officer stamped a short date and you need more time.
• The passport (and therefore the stay) is about to expire and has been renewed.

Processing time

Visitor record extensions have been slow — around 314 days at times. Apply well before the current stay ends; your parent can usually remain in Canada under maintained status while the application is processed.