From the Canadian Federal Immigration Department (IRCC), the Immigration Department is improving its way of processing Visitor record applications by expanding the use of advanced analytics and other automation technologies. While the IRCC will use a new automation tool to help categorize and process all such applications, it will not make a final decision on whether the application will be approved or rejected.
The use of advanced automation technology is part of the IRCC's previous commitment to using new technologies to build a stronger immigration system. When the automation system finds that an application is a regular application, it can decide whether the applicant qualifies the criteria and sends the documents to the officer to decide whether the applicant can still enter Canada and make a final decision.
For unconventional cases, the automation system uses only the rules set with IRCC officials, and the system will classify and allocate cases based on the complexity of the case for a comprehensive individual assessment and decision. The system will also provide case descriptions to help summarize basic application information for the official.
This new automation tool undertakes most of the instrumental and repetitive tasks related to classification applications, maximizing the efficiency of IRCC officials in assessing Visitor record applications and making final decisions.
What is Visitor Record
Visitor Record, referred to as VR, is also called visitor record or what we often call the extension of travel visas. It is a document that allows you to obtain Canadian visitor status and allows you to stay longer. Visitor Record is not a visa on the passport, so it cannot be confused. Visa is used to enter and exit Canada, and Visitor Record is used to prove that the applicant has legal stay status in Canada.
VR validity period
Visitor Record file will display a new expiration date, and the applicant needs to leave Canada before the new expiration date. After the Visitor Record is approved, applicants can usually stay in Canada for a few more months. In some special circumstances, visa officers may also approve a stay of 1 year or even longer.
Whether VR can be reentered
It has been mentioned above that Visa posted on the passport is used to enter and exit Canada, and Visitor Record is used to prove that the VR holder has a legal stay status in Canada. Therefore, Visitor Record does not ensure that VR holders can enter Canada again after leaving Canada. Usually, VR is invalid after leaving the country. The next time you enter Canada, you must enter the country with a valid visitor visa. The validity period starts from the date of re-entry. The default is 6 months. It may refer to the stay deadline marked by Canadian customs personnel on their passports. The stay deadline marked by Canadian customs personnel
. However, there is one exception. If you plan to leave from Canada to the United States or French Saint Pierre and Miquelon, you can return to Canada before the VR is valid.
What situations do you need to apply for VR
1. If you enter Canada as a visitor visa, Canadian customs personnel usually do not mark the departure date on your passport, and usually allow visitors to stay for 6 months by default. Nearly expiration If you want to continue to stay in Canada as a visitor, you need to apply for Visitor record.
2. If you are in Canada with a student visa or work visa and your visa will expire, if you are not qualified to continue applying for a student visa or work visa extension, you can try to apply for Visitor Record, so that you can continue to stay in Canada legally, but you cannot continue to study or work legally.
VR application fee and review time
VR government application fee is 100 Canadian dollars, Immigration Bureau currently has an average review time for VR applications is 204 days. Due to the significant extension of the review time, if the applicant's current visa has expired during the waiting period, he can continue to legally stay in Canada with the VR confirmation letter.
