Out-of-status and unauthorized home care workers and their family members

Home care worker – Restore or extend your status and apply for a work permit

If you applied under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you may be eligible to restore or extend your status and apply for an open work permit through this public policy.

Your family members may also be eligible to restore or extend their status and apply for an open work permit, study permit or to stay in Canada as a visitor. If they meet the criteria listed below, you can include them on your application or they can apply separately.

On this page

• Who can apply – Home care worker applicant
• Before you apply
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Extending your work permit

Who can apply – Home care worker

You must meet these requirements to restore or extend your status and apply for an open work permit:

• Your application for permanent residence must have entered into processing.
  • We’ll let you know when that happens by sending you an acknowledgement of receipt (AoR) letter.
• You’re in Canada when you apply.
• You do not have authorization to work and you
  • don’t have temporary resident status or
  • are a visitor
• You must have entered Canada legally on or before December 16, 2021, and lived here continuously since then.
• You had a work permit at some point during that period.
• You’re not inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than
  • overstaying your temporary resident status
  • working or studying without authorization
  • having a family member who overstayed their temporary resident status or worked or studied without authorization

You’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.

If you meet the criteria listed above, you’re exempt from meeting the conditions that usually apply to those who want to restore their status. This means, you don’t have to

• leave Canada when your permit expires
• apply within 90 days of losing your status
• meet the requirements of your stay listed on your expired permit
• meet the conditions on your expired work permit prior to expiry

If you include your family member(s) in your application

Your family members may also be eligible to restore or extend their status and apply for an open work permit or study permit, or to stay in Canada as visitors.

To be eligible, your family member must

• have been included as an accompanying family member in your permanent residence application
• meet the definition of a family member
• submit an application in Canada for any of the following:
  • an initial work permit or work permit extension
  • an initial study permit or study permit extension
  • an extension or restoration of temporary resident status
• be physically present in Canada at the time of applying for any of the following:
  • the initial work or study permit
  • the work or study permit extension
  • extension or restoration of temporary resident status

They’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• They made a refugee claim.
• They’re under a removal order.

Before you apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you and any family members applying for a work permit are exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee normally associated with these types of applications. Because you’re exempt from paying that fee, you must pay all other applicable fees before you apply online.

You can expect to pay the following fees for yourself and any family member(s) included in your application:

• Restore your status as a worker ($394.75)
  • for yourself and any family member(s) included in your application
• Biometrics ($85.00) if you or any of your family members need to give your biometrics
• Any other fees for your family members’ applications

How to pay your fees

1. Go to the Pay your fees online page.
2. Select “Temporary residence” as your application type from the drop-down menu.
3. Select “Restore your status as a worker.”
   • Enter the number of applications you’re paying for.
     • If you’re only applying for your own work permit, enter “1”.
4. If you’re including family members with your application, you need to pay their fees at this step as well. Make sure to select the right fees for their situation.
   • If they’re applying to extend their stay in Canada as a visitor only, select the fee “Restore your status as a visitor.”
   • If they’re applying to restore their status as a student, select the fee “Restore your status as a student.”
5. The system will calculate the total amount you need to pay when you click “Submit.”

How to apply

In most cases, you must apply online for this work permit. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need to apply online

To apply online, you need:

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You’ll use your account to

• create a personalized document checklist
• submit your application forms
• check your status

Step 4: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Once you sign in to your account:

• scroll down to the Start an application section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section

Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown below.

Step 5: Fill out the forms

The instruction guide explains how to fill out each field on the work permit application form.

Below are special instructions you must follow for your application:

When completing the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker form (IMM 5710), enter the following details in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section:

Step 6: Upload your documents

You need to gather and upload the right documents. Use the supporting document checklist provided in the application instructions you got from completing “Step 4” above.

Supporting documents section

The documents listed below must be submitted for yourself and any family members included in your application:

• a passport
• a digital photo
• proof of a medical exam, if you or your family member needs a medical exam
• proof of fee exemption
  • use your fee payment receipt

Additional supporting documents if family members are included in your application

• Family Information Form (IMM 5707) (PDF, 2.3 MB)
• Use of a Family Member Representative for Online Applications (IMM 5713) (PDF, 564 KB)

Additional documents you need to apply for this open work permit

The documents listed below must be uploaded into the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section of your application.

Combining multiple documents into 1

If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. You and your family member may need to combine multiple documents into one file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

1. Proof you were allowed to enter Canada as a temporary resident on or before December 16, 2021
   • Examples of proof of an authorized entry to Canada:
     • photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the stamp made by Canadian authorities on your most recent entry to Canada
     • photocopies of immigration documents such as a work permit, study permit or visitor record
2. Proof you lived in Canada continuously since entering Canada on or before December 16, 2021
   • Examples of proof of residence in Canada:
     • a photocopy of your lease or rental agreement
     • a letter from your landlord or property owner attesting to residence and specifying dates
     • utility bills
     • a photocopy of a bank statement or credit card statement with your address
     • employment documents or personal services contracts
     • evidence of receipt of benefits from Canadian government programs
     • rental agreements
     • club memberships
3. Proof you’re in Canada at the time of application
4. Proof you had a work permit while living in Canada
   • a photocopy of your expired work permit
5. Proof that your application for permanent residence (PR) has been submitted and accepted into processing
   • a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt (AoR) letter you received from us

Additional documents for family members included with your application

If you’re including a family member in your application, you must include the following documents in the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section.

1. A complete application for any of the following:
   • restore their status and get a work permit
   • restore their status and get a study permit
   • restore their status and get a visitor record (PDF, 595 KB)
2. A copy of the IMM 0008 form for the permanent residence application where you listed the family member’s name
3. Proof of your relationship to your family member(s)
   • Examples could include your marriage certificate, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form [IMM 5409] (if you’re in a common law union), or a birth certificate of a common child that shows both parents’ names.
4. Proof your family member was in Canada at the time of application

Step 7: Submit your completed application

Make sure your application is complete before you submit it or there may be delays in processing.

After you apply

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.

Extending your work permit

You can extend your work permit for up to an additional 3 years. If you apply to extend your work permit before your current one expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. This is called maintained status.

We’ll send you a letter in your account that you can use as proof that you’re authorized to keep working.

• You can print this letter or show it with your current work permit.
• You can keep working past the expiry date on the letter until we process your application if the conditions have not changed.

Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identity documents before your current work permit expires

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your work permit expires.

Home care worker – Restore or extend your status and get a visitor record

If you applied under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you may be eligible to restore your status and get a visitor record through this public policy. If you plan to work, you should also apply for an open work permit.

Your family members may also be eligible to restore or extend their status and apply for an open work permit or study permit, or to stay in Canada as a visitor. If they meet the criteria listed below, you can include them on your application or they can apply separately.

On this page

• Who can apply – Home care worker applicant
• Before you apply
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Extending your visitor status

Who can apply – Home care worker applicant

You must meet these requirements to restore or extend your status and get a visitor record in Canada:

• Your application for permanent residence must have entered into processing.
  • We’ll let you know when that happens by sending you an acknowledgement of receipt (AoR) letter.
• You’re in Canada when you apply.
• You do not have authorization to work and you
  • don’t have temporary resident status or
  • are a visitor
• You must have entered Canada legally on or before December 16, 2021, and lived here continuously since then.
• You had a work permit at some point during that period.
• You’re not inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than
  • overstaying your temporary resident status
  • working or studying without authorization
  • having a family member who overstayed their temporary resident status or worked or studied without authorization

You’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.

If you meet the criteria listed above, you’re exempt from meeting the conditions that usually apply to those who want to restore their status. This means, you don’t have to

• leave Canada when your permit expires
• apply within 90 days of losing your status
• meet the requirements of your stay listed on your expired permit
• meet the conditions on your expired permit prior to expiry

If you include your family member(s) in your application

Your family members are also eligible to restore or extend their status and apply for an open work permit or study permit, or to stay as visitors in Canada.

To be eligible, your family member must

• have been included as an accompanying family member in your permanent residence application
• meet the definition of a family member
• submit an application in Canada for any of the following:
  • an initial work permit or work permit extension
  • an initial study permit or study permit extension
  • an extension or restoration of temporary resident status
• be physically present in Canada at the time of applying for any of the following:
  • the initial work or study permit
  • the work or study permit extension
  • extension or restoration of temporary resident status

They’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• They made a refugee claim.
• They’re under a removal order.

Before you apply

This section only applies if the family members included in your application are applying for an open work permit. If your family member is applying for an open work permit, they’re exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee. This means you must pay all the applicable fees before you apply online.

If you’re applying individually, or if any family members included in your application are not applying for a work permit, pay your fees when you submit your application.

How to pay your fees

1. Go to the Pay your fees online page.
2. Select “Temporary residence” as your application type from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter the quantity of each fee associated with your application and any family members included in your application.
4. The system will calculate the total amount you need to pay when you click “Submit.”

How to apply

In most cases, you must apply online. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need to apply online

To apply online, you need:

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You’ll use your account to:

• create a personalized document checklist
• submit your application forms
• check your status

Step 4: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Once you sign in to your account:

• scroll down to the Start an application section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section

Answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown below to apply for a visitor record:

Step 5: Fill out the forms

The instruction guide will explain how to fill out each field on the application form.

Below is a special instruction you must follow for your application:

When completing the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (PDF, 595 KB) form, be sure to put the correct code in the “b) Other” box under the “Details of visit to Canada” section:

• If you applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Child Care) Class: HCWIP Child Care Workers in Canada PP
• If you applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Home Support) Class: HCWIP Home Support Workers in Canada PP

Step 6: Upload your documents

You need to gather and upload the right documents. Use the supporting document checklist provided in the application instructions you got from completing “Step 4” above.

Supporting documents

The documents listed below must be submitted for yourself and any family members included in your application:

• a passport
• a digital photo
• proof of a medical exam, if your family member needs a medical exam
• proof of fee exemption
  • use your fee payment receipt

Supporting documents if family members are included in your application

• Family Information Form (IMM 5707) (PDF, 2.3 MB)
• Use of a Family Member Representative for Online Applications (IMM 5713) (PDF, 564 KB)

Additional document(s) you need to apply for this visitor record

The documents listed below must be uploaded into the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section of your application.

Combining multiple documents into 1

If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. You and your family member may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

1. Proof you were allowed to enter Canada as a temporary resident on or before December 16, 2021
   • Examples of proof of an authorized entry to Canada:
     • photocopies of passport pages clearly showing the stamp made by Canadian authorities on your most recent entry to Canada
     • photocopies of immigration documents such as a work permit, study permit or visitor record
2. Proof you lived in Canada continuously since entering Canada on or before December 16, 2021
   • Examples of proof of residence in Canada:
     • a photocopy of your lease or rental agreement
     • a letter from your landlord or property owner attesting to residence and specifying dates
     • utility bills
     • a photocopy of a bank statement or credit card statement with your address
     • employment documents or personal services contracts
     • evidence of receipt of benefits from Canadian government programs
     • rental agreements
     • club memberships
3. Proof you’re in Canada at the time of application
4. Proof that your application for permanent residence (PR) has been submitted and accepted into processing
   • a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt (AoR) letter you received from us

Additional documents for family members included with your application

If you’re including a family member in your application, you must include the following documents in the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section.

1. A complete application for any of the following:
   • restore their status and get a work permit
   • restore their status and get a study permit
   • restore their status and get a visitor record (PDF, 595 KB)
2. A copy of the IMM 0008 form for your permanent residence application where you listed your family member’s name
3. Proof of your relationship to the family member
   • Examples could include your marriage certificate, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form [IMM 5409], or a birth certificate of a common child that shows both parents’ names.
4. Proof your family member was in Canada at the time of application

Step 7: Submit your completed application

Make sure your application is complete before you submit it or there may be delays in processing.

After you apply

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your visitor record.

Extending your visitor status

If you apply to extend your stay as a visitor before your current status expires, you can stay in Canada for up to an additional 3 years under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. This is called maintained status.

Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identity documents before your current visitor record expires

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your:

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your visitor record expires.

Family member of a home care worker applicant applying individually – Restore or extend your status and get a work permit

If your family member applied under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you may be eligible to restore or extend your status and apply for a work permit through this public policy.

On this page

• Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant
• Before you apply
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Extending your work permit

Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant

If you’re a family member of a home care worker applicant in Canada, you must meet these requirements to restore or extend your status and apply for an open work permit under this public policy:

• You’ve been included as an accompanying family member in your family member’s permanent residence application under 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots.
• You meet the definition of a family member.
• You submitted an application in Canada for any of the following:
  • an initial work permit or work permit extension
  • an initial study permit or study permit extension
  • an extension or restoration of temporary resident status
• You’re physically present in Canada at the time of applying for any of the following:
  • the initial work or study permit
  • the work or study permit extension
  • extension or restoration of temporary resident status

You’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.

If you meet the criteria listed above, you’re exempt from meeting the conditions that usually apply to those who want to restore their status. This means, you don’t have to:

• leave Canada when your permit expires
• apply within 90 days of losing your status
• meet the requirements of your stay listed on your expired permit
• meet the conditions on your expired work permit prior to expiry

Before you apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you’re exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee normally associated with these types of applications. Because you’re exempt from paying that fee, you must pay all other applicable fees before you apply online.

You can expect to pay the following fees:

• Restore your status as a worker ($394.75)
• Biometrics ($85.00) if you need to give your biometrics

How to pay your fees

1. Go to the Pay your application fees online page.
2. Select “Temporary residence” as your application type from the drop-down menu.
3. Scroll down to the row for workers.
4. Select “Restore your status as a worker.”
   • Enter the number of applications you’re paying for.
     • If you’re only applying for your own work permit, enter “1”.
5. The system will calculate the total amount you need to pay when you click “Submit.”

How to apply

In most cases, you must apply online for this work permit. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

These steps apply to you even if you’re applying for a work permit for the first time.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need to apply online

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You’ll use your account to:

• create a personalized document checklist
• submit your application forms
• check your status

Step 4: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Once you sign in to your account:

• scroll down to the Start an application section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section

If you meet the eligibility criteria for an open work permit, answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown below.

Step 5: Fill out the forms

The instruction guide explains how to fill out each field on the work permit application form.

Below are special instructions you must follow for your application:

When completing the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker form (IMM 5710), enter the following details in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section:

Step 6: Upload your documents

You need to gather the right supporting documents. Use the supporting document checklist provided in the application instructions you got from completing “Step 4”.

Supporting documents section

Your document checklist will ask you for:

• a passport
• a digital photo
• proof of a medical exam, if you need a medical exam
• proof of fee exemption
  • use your fee payment receipt
• family member proof of status
  • You can use the home care worker applicant’s work permit number (W#), the visitor record number issued by IRCC and/or the home care worker applicant’s permanent resident application number.
• Family Information form (IMM 5707) (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Additional documents you need to apply for this open work permit

The documents listed below must be uploaded into the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section in your application.

Combining multiple documents into 1

If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload the supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. You may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

1. A copy of the IMM 0008 form for the permanent residence application in which the home care worker applicant listed you as a family member
2. Proof of relationship to the home care worker applicant
   • Examples could include your marriage license or certificate, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form (IMM 5409) or a birth certificate of a common child that shows both parents’ names.
3. A letter indicating:
   • the home care worker applicant’s work permit number (W#), the visitor record number issued by IRCC and/or the principal applicant’s permanent resident application number, and
   • that you’re applying under this public policy
4. Proof you’re in Canada at the time of application

Step 7: Submit your completed application

Make sure your application is complete before you submit it or there may be delays in processing.

After you apply

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.

Extending your work permit

You can extend your work permit for up to an additional 3 years. If you apply to extend your work permit before your current one expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. This is called maintained status.

We’ll send you a letter in your account that you can use as proof that you’re authorized to keep working.

• You can print this letter or show it with your current work permit.
• You can keep working past the expiry date on the letter until we process your application if the conditions have not changed.

Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identity documents before your current work permit expires

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your:

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your work permit expires.

Family member of a home care worker applicant applying individually – Restore or extend your status and get a study permit

If your family member applied under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you may be eligible to restore or extend your status and apply for a study permit through this public policy.

On this page

• Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Extending your study permit

Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant

If you’re a family member of a home care worker applicant in Canada, you must meet these requirements to restore or extend your status under this public policy:

• You’ve been included as an accompanying family member in your family member’s permanent residence application under 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots.
• You meet the definition of a family member.
• You submitted an application in Canada for any of the following:
  • an initial work permit or work permit extension
  • an initial study permit or study permit extension
  • an extension or restoration of temporary resident status
• You’re physically present in Canada at the time of applying for any of the following:
  • the initial work or study permit
  • the work or study permit extension
  • extension or restoration of temporary resident status

You’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.

If you meet the criteria listed above, you’re exempt from meeting the conditions that usually apply to those who want to restore their status. This means, you don’t have to:

• leave Canada when your permit expires
• apply within 90 days of losing your status
• meet the requirements of your stay listed on your expired permit
• meet the conditions on your expired study permit before it expired

Before you apply

You must have a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL) document before you apply, unless you’re exempt.

Learn about the PAL/TAL.

How to apply

In most cases, you must apply online for this study permit. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

The steps below apply to you even if you’re applying for a study permit for the first time.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need to apply online

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You’ll use your account to:

• create a personalized document checklist
• submit your application forms
• check your status

Step 4: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

• scroll down to the Start an application section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section

If you meet the eligibility criteria for a study permit, answer the following questions in the tool exactly as shown below.

Step 5: Fill out the forms

The instruction guide explains how to fill out each field on the study permit application form.

Below is a special instruction you must follow for your application:

When completing the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM 5709) form, be sure to put the correct code in the “b) Other” box under the Details of intended study in Canada section:

• If your family member applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Child Care) Class: HCWIP Child Care Workers in Canada PP
• If your family member applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Home Support) Class: HCWIP Home Support Workers in Canada PP

Step 6: Upload your documents

You need to gather the right supporting documents. Use the supporting document checklist provided in the application instructions you got from completing “Step 4” above.

Supporting documents section

Your document checklist will ask you for:

• a passport
• a digital photo
• a letter of acceptance or letter of enrolment
• a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL), unless you’re exempt
• proof of means of financial support
• proof of a medical exam, if you need one
• Family Information form (IMM 5707) (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Additional documents you need to apply for this study permit

The documents listed below must be uploaded into the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section of your application.

Combining multiple documents into 1

If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload the supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. You may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

1. A copy of the IMM 0008 form for the permanent residence application in which the home care worker applicant listed you as a family member
2. Proof of your relationship to the home care worker applicant
   • Examples could include your marriage certificate, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form (IMM 5409), or a birth certificate of a common child that shows both parents’ names.
3. A letter indicating:
   • the home care worker applicant’s work permit number (W#), the visitor record number issued by IRCC and/or the home care worker applicant’s permanent resident application number, and
   • that you’re applying under this public policy
4. Proof you’re in Canada at the time of application

Step 7: Submit your completed application

Make sure your application is complete before you submit it or there may be delays in processing.

After you apply

Find out what happens after you apply to extend your stay in Canada as a student.

Extending your study permit

You can extend your study permit for up to an additional 3 years. If you apply to extend your study permit before your current one expires, you can keep studying under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. This is called maintained status.

Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identity documents before your current study permit expires

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your:

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your study permit expires.

Family member of a home care worker applicant applying individually – Restore or extend your status and get a visitor record

If your family member applied under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you may be eligible to restore or extend your status through this public policy.

If you plan to work or study, you should also apply for an open work permit or study permit.

On this page

• Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Extending your visitor status

Who can apply – Family member of a home care worker applicant

If you’re a family member of a home care worker applicant in Canada, you must meet these requirements to restore or extend your status and get a visitor record under this public policy:

• You’ve been included as an accompanying family member in your family member’s permanent residence application under 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots.
• You meet the definition of a family member.
• You submitted an application in Canada for any of the following:
  • an initial work permit or work permit extension
  • an initial study permit or study permit extension
  • an extension or restoration of temporary resident status
• You’re physically present in Canada at the time of applying for any of the following:
  • the initial work or study permit
  • the work or study permit extension
  • extension or restoration of temporary resident status

You’re not eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.

If you meet the criteria listed above, you’re exempt from meeting the conditions that usually apply to those who want to restore their status. This means, you don’t have to:

• leave Canada when your permit expires
• apply within 90 days of losing your status
• meet the requirements of your stay listed on your expired permit
• meet the conditions on your expired visa before it expired

How to apply

In most cases, you must apply online for a visitor record. You can’t apply at a port of entry.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You’ll use your account to:

• create a personalized document checklist
• submit your application forms
• check your status

Step 4: Get your document checklist

Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you. To apply for a visitor record, you must provide these answers in the online tool:

Step 5: Fill out the forms

The instruction guide will explain how to fill out each field on the visitor record application form.

Below is a special instruction you must follow:

When completing the Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (PDF, 595 KB) form, be sure to put the correct code in the “b) Other” box under the Details of visit to Canada section:

• If your family member applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Child Care) Class: HCWIP Child Care Workers in Canada PP
• If your family member applied for Stream A – Home Care Worker (Home Support) Class: HCWIP Home Support Workers in Canada PP

Step 6: Upload your documents

Your document checklist will ask you for most of the documents that you must upload.

Supporting documents section

• a passport
• a digital photo
• proof of means of financial support
• proof of a medical exam, if you need a medical exam
• family member proof of status
  • You can use the home care worker applicant’s work permit number (W#), the visitor record number issued by IRCC and/or the home care worker applicant’s permanent resident application number.
• Family Information form (IMM 5707) (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Additional document(s) you need to submit

Upload the following into the Client Information row of the “Optional Documents” section.

Combining multiple documents into 1

If you can’t find a field in your online account to upload the supporting documents, use the “client information” field. There’s only 1 “client information” field. You may need to combine more than 1 document in 1 file and upload them together.

Find out how to upload multiple documents into 1 field.

1. A copy of the IMM 0008 form for the permanent residence application in which the principal applicant listed you as a family member
2. Proof of relationship to the home care worker applicant
   • Examples could include your marriage certificate, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form (IMM 5409), or a birth certificate of a common child that shows both parents’ names.
3. A letter indicating:
   • the home care worker applicant’s work permit number (W#), the visitor record number issued by IRCC and/or their PR application number and
   • that you’re applying under this public policy
4. Proof you’re in Canada at the time of application

Step 7: Submit your completed application

Make sure your application is complete before you submit it or there may be delays in processing.

After you apply

Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your visitor record.

Extending your visitor status

If you apply to extend your stay as a visitor before your current status expires, you can stay in Canada for up to an additional 3 years under the same conditions while you wait for a decision. This is called maintained status.

Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identity documents before your current visitor record expires

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your:

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your visitor record expires.