Staytill

How long can I stay in Canada?

Destination · AmericasChecked Updated

Canada's six months is a default, not a promise. The officer at the border can write a different date in your passport, and if nothing is written, the rule fills in the date for you.

Canada

As a visitor
6months, or the date set

A visitor's authorized stay is six months, or another period fixed by an officer.1

Starts
The authorized period begins on the day you first enter Canada after being authorized to enter and remain on a temporary basis.2
Stamped
The expiry date of your status is on the stamp in your passport.3
Not stamped
With no stamp in your passport, the expiry date is 6 months from the day you entered Canada.4
Leave by
Every temporary resident must leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for the stay.5

Who needs an eTA

US passport

US citizens need no eTA, only proper identification such as a valid US passport.6

US green card

Since 26 April 2022, lawful permanent residents of the US are exempt from the eTA as well.7

UK passport

British citizens need an eTA and a valid passport to board a flight to Canada.8 Arriving by car, bus, train or boat, travelers from eTA countries usually need no eTA.9

Worked example

A drive up from Vermont with no stamp

  1. You drive across from Vermont on 1 May 2027 with your US passport, no eTA needed, and the officer does not stamp it.6
  2. With no stamp, your stay ends 6 months from the day you entered: 1 November 2027.4How we count: Six calendar months from the entry on 1 May 2027.
  3. To stay into the winter, you apply for a visitor record by 2 October 2027, at least 30 days before that date.10How we count: 30 days before 1 November 2027 is 2 October 2027.

Questions people ask

Can I stay in Canada longer than six months?

To stay longer as a visitor you apply for a visitor record, at least 30 days before your current status expires.1011

Can I stay in Canada while I wait for an answer?

If you apply before the date you are supposed to leave, you can legally stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application.12

Your own count

Your date is the one in your passport, or six months from the day you crossed. Either way it starts from a day worth writing down.

Staytill, the iPhone app that counts your days in Canada and how many you have left How long can you stay in Canada as a visitor?

Sources

3 laws and 9 official pages, each with its exact words
  1. IRPR, s. 183 · Department of Justice Canada, Justice Laws website · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words the period authorized for the stay of a temporary resident is six months or any other period that is fixed by an officer
  2. IRPR, s. 183 · Department of Justice Canada, Justice Laws website · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words the day on which they first enter Canada after they are so authorized
  3. IRCC, extend your stay · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words The expiry date for your status is on the stamp in your passport
  4. IRCC, extend your stay · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words If you don't have a stamp in your passport, the expiry date is 6 months from the day you entered Canada.
  5. IRPR, s. 183 · Department of Justice Canada, Justice Laws website · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words to leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay
  6. IRCC, who needs an eTA · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
  7. IRCC, who needs an eTA · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States are also exempt from the eTA requirement
  8. IRCC, entry requirements by country · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words You need an eTA and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the countries or territories listed below.
  9. IRCC, who needs an eTA · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words In most cases, if you’re from an eTA-required country or territory and you’re arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship), you don’t need an eTA to enter Canada.
  10. IRCC, extend your stay · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words you need to apply for a visitor record
  11. IRCC, extend your stay · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words you should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires
  12. IRCC, extend your stay · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words you can legally stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application
Checked against Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 183 on 26 Oct 2026 Updated 26 Oct 2026

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