What is Express Entry and how does it work?

Express Entry is Canada's primary system for managing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. Candidates create an online profile and are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). IRCC conducts regular draws to invite the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. Category-based draws introduced in 2023 now allow candidates in specific occupations — healthcare, STEM, trades, and French speakers — to be invited at lower CRS scores.

Do I need a job offer to immigrate to Canada?

Not always. Federal programs like Express Entry do not require a job offer. Some provincial nominee programs also allow immigration without a job offer. As of March 2025, job offer points were removed from the CRS calculation entirely, meaning a job offer no longer provides a scoring advantage in Express Entry.

How long does it take to get Canadian permanent residence?

Processing times vary by pathway. Express Entry applications are targeted at 6 months from the date of application. Provincial Nominee Program applications can take longer depending on the province and stream. Your consultant can give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.

What is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)?

An RCIC is a licensed professional authorized to provide immigration advice and representation in Canada. RCICs are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). You can verify an RCIC's license on the CICC website using their registration number. Sao Khadjieva's RCIC registration number is R515185.

Can I immigrate to Canada as an international student?

Yes. Many international students use the study-to-permanent-residence pathway: obtain a study permit, complete a PGWP-eligible program, gain Canadian work experience on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and then apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.

What documents do I need for a Canadian study permit?

A Canadian study permit application typically requires a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, proof of financial support (minimum $22,895 CAD for living expenses as of September 2025, plus tuition and travel costs), a Statement of Purpose, valid passport, and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for most undergraduate applicants.

Visitor Record Extension Canada

If you are in Canada as a visitor and your authorized stay is approaching its end date, applying for a Visitor Record extension is how you extend your legal right to remain. The application is made from inside Canada through your IRCC secure account, and if submitted before your current status expires, you have maintained status — meaning you can continue to stay in Canada legally under the same conditions while IRCC processes your application, even if your original authorized date passes during that time.

What most people underestimate is how long this process now takes. As of early 2026, Visitor Record extension processing times inside Canada have climbed to over 200 days — meaning you could be waiting more than six months for a decision. If you apply only 30 days before your status expires, you will be on maintained status for a very long time. Applying as early as possible — ideally three to four months before your authorized stay ends — is no longer just good practice. Given current processing times, it is essential.

At Magellan Immigration, we prepare Visitor Record extension applications for visitors across Canada — assessing your circumstances, building the strongest possible case for an extension, and making sure your application is submitted correctly, completely, and with enough lead time to protect your status.

Who Can Apply

You can apply for a Visitor Record extension from inside Canada if you:

Currently hold valid temporary status in Canada — as a visitor, worker, or student
Have a legitimate reason to extend your stay or change to visitor status
Can demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself without working during the extended period
Can demonstrate that your stay in Canada remains temporary and that you intend to leave when authorized

You cannot apply for a Visitor Record extension if your status has already expired. If that is your situation, see the restoration of status section below.

Your Authorized Stay — How to Confirm It

Your authorized stay is determined by one of three things: the date stamped in your passport by the CBSA officer at entry, the expiry date on your existing Visitor Record, or — if no stamp or document was issued — six months from your date of entry into Canada. These are not the same as your visa validity dates. A multiple-entry visa may be valid for ten years, but the authorized stay granted at each entry is a separate and shorter period set by the border officer at the time you crossed.

Assuming you have six months when the officer actually stamped a shorter period is one of the most common mistakes visitors make, and it can result in an inadvertent overstay that permanently affects your immigration record. Before you do anything else, check your passport carefully, confirm the exact date your current authorized stay expires, and calculate how much time you actually have — not how much time you think you have.

If you submit a complete Visitor Record extension application before your current status expires, you have maintained status while your application is being processed. This means you can remain in Canada legally and continue to stay under the same conditions as your original authorized entry. It does not grant you new rights — you cannot work or study on maintained status unless you already had authorization to do so. It also does not allow you to leave Canada. If you leave while your application is in processing, your application is automatically abandoned and you will need to apply for a new visa or eTA and re-enter Canada from outside.

Maintained Status — What It Means and What It Does Not

If Your Status Has Already Expired — Restoration

If your authorized stay has already expired and you did not apply for an extension before it ran out, you are out of status. You have 90 days from the date your status expired to apply for restoration of status. During this period you must stop all activities that required valid status immediately. Restoration requires paying both a restoration fee and the permit fee on top of the standard extension fee, and there is no guarantee of approval. If the 90-day window passes without an application, or if restoration is refused, you must leave Canada immediately. Remaining beyond this point creates serious inadmissibility issues that will affect every future application you make to Canada.

What We Do

Assess your current permit conditions and identify the correct extension pathway
Confirm whether you need an extension, a new study permit, or a PAL
Prepare your complete extension or restoration application
Advise on maintained status and your rights while your application is processing
Identify and address any compliance issues before they become refusal grounds

Visitor Record Extension Canada