Canada is famous for being a tourist destination that attracts people from all over the world, and in early 2026, a policy change was implemented that impacts the permitted length of stay under a tourist visa. Since January 5, visitors can remain in the country for longer periods, namely up to 12 months, with less bureaucracy involved, aiming to make travel simpler and better suited to longer travel plans.
Canada extends visitor stays, redefining the tourism experience in the country
Although the new maximum permitted period has been increased, the updated guideline still maintains the standard legal rule of six months, but in practice, how it is applied has changed. Now, travelers wishing to stay beyond the usual six months may request authorization from border authorities, provided they can demonstrate sufficient financial capacity for the intended period, as well as clear proof of a concrete plan to leave the country afterward. Therefore, it is not a permission that comes automatically with obtaining the visa. A process is still required to obtain it.
In practical terms, this reduces the bureaucracy faced by visitors who frequently request extensions, something that negatively impacts both visitors and the immigration system. So families who want to spend more time together, regular visitors, or even seasonal visitors will benefit from this change, which comes as a response to long-standing criticism about the unnecessarily rigid level of the previous process.
International alignment and conditions for extended visits in Canada
This flexibility also aligns with policies already implemented in countries like Australia and New Zealand, which similarly guarantee up to 12 months for visitors who can clearly prove their intention to visit temporarily and return to their country of origin afterward.
However, it is important to emphasize that, despite the increased flexibility and ease of extending one’s stay in the country, the government reiterates that this is not an automatically acquired right. The return date remains information that must be defined before the start of the trip, along with all necessary documents, so that it can be recorded in the traveler’s passport or electronic document.
New rule reduces bureaucracy, but maintains clear requirements for travelers
Even with the extension of the authorized period of stay, the rules that already existed for visiting Canada temporarily remain the same. To work or study permanently or temporarily, visitors still need specific permits, and immigration officials retain the authority to reduce or cancel the stay if they find irregularities in the use of the visa.
A major benefit of this reform is the reduction in the workload that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada had to handle due to the large number of requests for extensions of stays in the country, allowing officers to focus on processing applications more efficiently and consistently.
For those planning to take advantage of this change, it’s important to take the time to understand all the requirements to obtain the necessary approval. Among the requirements, the need to prove financial capacity to support oneself during the proposed period, present adequate health insurance, and demonstrate the intention to return to the country of origin stand out.
Optimization and digitalization demonstrate Canada’s effort to meet global demands
The extension of permitted stays for visitors to Canada is already being implemented and promises to facilitate the visitor experience for stays longer than 6 months, while also optimizing the work of immigration control.
Furthermore, a pilot project for issuing a digital visa is under development with the goal of further modernizing the visa application and usage process. These two combined initiatives promise to transform the country into a benchmark in meeting the demands of international tourism.
