Master prompt
Visitor to other status transition (study / work / PR / extension)
Convert visitor status to study permit, work permit, or PR — inland vs outland routes, implied status under R183(5), restoration of status under R182, and the 90-day windows that matter.
CanadaVisitor visaStatus transitionInland applicationImplied statusRestorationIRPR R182IRPR R183
You are advising [CLIENT_NAME] on transitioning from visitor status to [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS]. The right path depends on (a) what new status, (b) whether client is in Canada, and (c) how much time remains on visitor authorisation.
INPUT
- Current visitor expiry: [CURRENT_VISITOR_EXPIRY]
- Intended new status: [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS]
- Trigger: [TRIGGER_REASON]
- Days remaining on visitor: [DAYS_REMAINING_ON_VISITOR]
- Location: [IN_CANADA_OR_ABROAD]
§1 — INLAND vs OUTLAND DECISION
GENERAL RULE — most transitions are EASIER from inside Canada (inland),
but eligibility varies by stream:
Study permit:
- Inland eligible since the 2024 IRCC change — visitors CAN apply
inland for a study permit (this was previously restricted; the
2024 policy update removed the in-Canada-applicant requirement
for most cases; verify currency 2026-05 — verify current IRCC
study permit inland eligibility policy)
- Outland (from home country) remains available
- Inland advantage: no need to leave Canada; implied study right
under R183(5) if extension filed before visitor expiry
- Inland risk: refusal forces departure within 90 days
Work permit (LMIA-based, R204/R205 LMIA-exempt):
- Inland eligible if applicant holds valid TR status AND meets
specific stream eligibility (LMIA holders, NAFTA/CUSMA, intra-
company transferees, etc.)
- Outland may be faster for first-time applicants
- Inland processing time: 4-6 months typical
Open Work Permit (spousal of student/worker, BOWP, vulnerable workers):
- SOWP inland: requires valid TR + spouse's eligibility met
- BOWP: separate prompt (ca-extension-work-permit-bowp); only
applies to applicants with positive eligibility on PR file
- Inland advantage: faster than outland
PR — Express Entry (FSW / CEC / FST):
- Outland route is the default after ITA
- Inland adjustment of status NOT available in Canada (unlike US
AOS); applicant submits e-APR via IRCC portal regardless of
location; landing can occur inside Canada (flagpoling) or
outside
- CEC eligibility requires 1 year Canadian skilled work experience
in last 3 years
- FSW + outside Canada: no CA experience requirement but lower
CRS score
PR — Family sponsorship (spousal):
- Inland: sponsor + applicant both in Canada; applicant generally
receives SOWP after AOR; cannot easily leave Canada during
processing (re-entry not guaranteed)
- Outland: applicant outside Canada (or in Canada but processing
through visa office abroad); applicant can travel freely; faster
processing in many corridors
- For Indian applicants: outland processing through New Delhi visa
office often faster than inland (verify current timelines)
Family sponsorship (parents / grandparents PGP):
- Lottery-based at intake; not a transition triggered by visitor
status
Visitor record extension only:
- Pure R181 extension under IRPR; separate prompt
(ca-extension-visitor-record-package)
§2 — THE 90-DAY WINDOWS
Three critical 90-day windows govern visitor status transitions:
Window A — IMPLIED STATUS UNDER R183(5)
If a status-change application (extension, study, work) is filed
BEFORE [CURRENT_VISITOR_EXPIRY], applicant has implied status with
the SAME conditions as the prior status. They CANNOT work or study
on implied status from visitor unless the new permit conditions
are granted in the decision. Implied status ends:
- On decision (approval or refusal)
- On departure from Canada (implied status does not survive
international travel; outland route required for re-entry)
Window B — RESTORATION UNDER R182
If status is lost (expired without extension filing), applicant
has 90 days from [CURRENT_VISITOR_EXPIRY] to apply for restoration
of status. Fee: CAD 200 + new permit fee. Separate prompt
(ca-extension-restoration-of-status-narrative).
AFTER 90 days from expiry: restoration not available; applicant
must leave Canada and reapply from abroad.
Window C — APPLICATION TIMING BUFFER
IRCC recommends filing extensions / status changes AT LEAST 30 days
before expiry. Filing 60-90 days early is fine. Filing within last
7 days = risky (mailroom processing delays may push receipt past
expiry, voiding implied status).
For [CLIENT_NAME]:
- [DAYS_REMAINING_ON_VISITOR] days remaining
- Window assessment: [SAFE — file now] / [TIGHT — file this week] /
[LATE — file immediately; if past expiry, switch to restoration
track]
§3 — PATH A: VISITOR TO STUDY PERMIT (INLAND)
If [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS] is study permit inland:
Eligibility:
(a) Valid letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
(b) Proof of funds: tuition + CAD 20,635/year living (2024 update —
verify current threshold) + travel
(c) Currently in Canada with valid visitor status
(d) DLI is on the active DLI list at submission date
Filing:
- Use IRCC Portal → Study Permit Application (Inside Canada)
- Submit IMM 1294 inland version (or generic IMM 5709)
- Letter of Acceptance
- Tuition payment receipt for first term
- Bank statements 6 months
- GIC certificate if SDS-equivalent route
- Cover letter explaining transition from visitor + ties + study plan
- Fee: CAD 150 + biometrics if expired
- Implied study right NOT automatic — applicant cannot start studies
until permit issued (unless within preceding study program with
transition rules)
Risks:
- Cover letter must address WHY studies were not the original
purpose of visit (officer may suspect bad faith if visit purpose
stated tourism but applicant now studying)
- DLI choice + program credibility scrutinised
- Funds source documented carefully
§4 — PATH B: VISITOR TO WORK PERMIT (LMIA-BASED, INLAND)
If [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS] is LMIA-based work permit inland:
Eligibility:
(a) Positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada
(ESDC) for the specific job offer
(b) NOC code matches LMIA
(c) Applicant has valid TR status at submission
(d) Inland filing permitted under IRPR R200(1)
Filing:
- IMM 5710 (Application to extend / change conditions as worker)
- Original LMIA + LMIA-specified job offer letter
- IMM 5802 — Offer of Employment
- Employer's compliance fee (CAD 230 per applicant) already paid
by employer via Employer Portal
- Applicant fee: CAD 155 + CAD 100 OWP holder fee if open permit
- Cover letter
- Biometrics if needed
Risks:
- Officer may flag that LMIA-job-search occurred during stated
"tourism" visit — explain narrative carefully
- Closed permit ties applicant to specific employer; job change
requires new LMIA + extension
§5 — PATH C: VISITOR TO WORK PERMIT (LMIA-EXEMPT, R204/R205)
If [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS] is LMIA-exempt work permit inland:
Common LMIA-exempt categories:
R204(a) — International agreements (CUSMA / NAFTA professionals,
GATS, CETA, CPTPP, CA-UK trade continuity, etc.)
R204(b) — Federal-provincial agreements
R205(a) — Canadian interests — significant benefit (intra-company
transferee, French-speaking outside Quebec)
R205(c.1) — Canadian interests — pre-existing application (Bridging
Open Work Permit — separate prompt)
R205(d) — Reciprocal employment
R207 — Permanent residence applicants
Filing:
- IMM 5710
- IMM 5802 — Offer of Employment with LMIA-exempt code
- Supporting evidence per stream (CUSMA = US/Mexico citizenship +
credentials; ICT = parent company letter + 1 year continuous
employment abroad; significant benefit = case-specific evidence)
- Employer compliance fee paid via Employer Portal
- Applicant fee: CAD 155 (+ CAD 100 if open)
- Cover letter
Highest-volume LMIA-exempt path for Indian applicants in Canada:
- Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) under C41/C42 (spouse of skilled
worker / international student)
- PGP applicants whose adult children are sponsoring them: no
direct work permit, but PR principal applicant may transition
via R207 if family sponsorship reaches AIP stage
§6 — PATH D: VISITOR TO PR (EXPRESS ENTRY)
If [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS] is PR via EE:
- Applicant submits EE profile from anywhere (in or out of Canada)
- Receives ITA → submits e-APR → AOR → decision
- Visitor status does NOT extend during PR processing under R183(5)
(only same-class extensions extend implied status)
- If visitor status expires during PR processing → apply for visitor
record extension under R181 OR restoration under R182 OR depart
Canada and re-enter as visitor
- Many applicants apply for BOWP under R205(c.1) once PR file at AOR
to obtain work permit during PR processing — but BOWP requires
EXISTING work permit, not visitor status. Visitors cannot BOWP
directly. They must first obtain a work permit OR maintain visitor
status until PR decision.
§7 — PATH E: VISITOR TO PR (INLAND SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP)
If [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS] is spousal sponsorship inland:
- File IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor) + IMM 0008 + IMM 5669 + IMM 5532
+ IMM 5589 (Inland-specific) bundle
- Applicant must be in Canada at time of filing AND throughout processing
- SOWP under C41/C42 typically issued ~ 1-3 months after AOR
- Inland spousal processing: ~ 24 months (varies)
- Departure from Canada during processing risks status complications;
re-entry not guaranteed; technically allowed but discouraged
§8 — DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL TRANSITIONS
(a) Photocopy of:
- Passport biographical page
- Current visitor status documentation (visitor record OR
passport stamp page OR eTA confirmation)
- Most recent CBSA entry stamp
(b) Most recent IRCC documents (all prior permits, applications)
(c) Bank statements current
(d) Cover letter addressing:
- Original purpose of visit
- Trigger event causing transition: [TRIGGER_REASON]
- Why transition is genuine (not pre-planned circumvention)
- Ties + departure intent if status refused
- Disclosure of any prior refusals
(e) Biometrics if last given > 10 years ago
(f) Use of Representative IMM 5476 if RCIC filing
§9 — CRITICAL RISK FLAGS
Pre-empt in cover letter if any apply:
(a) Original TRV application stated "tourism" but now applying for
study/work — officer may question good faith. Cover letter must
explain natural evolution (e.g. "During my visit I was offered
a position by [employer] / I researched DLIs and decided to enrol
in [program]") with dated documents.
(b) Multiple status-change applications in a single visit period —
pattern raises concerns.
(c) Family sponsorship outland would be faster — explain why inland
route was chosen.
(d) Working without authorisation before status change application —
this is an R183 condition breach; disclose with mitigation, do
not conceal.
(e) Recent international travel during visitor stay — may suggest
"weak ties to Canada" or "transit through Canada", complicating
narrative.
§10 — POST-DECISION SCENARIOS
- Approved: new permit issued; visitor status superseded
- Approved with shorter validity: re-extend before expiry
- Refused:
- If filed BEFORE [CURRENT_VISITOR_EXPIRY]: revert to visitor
status until [CURRENT_VISITOR_EXPIRY] OR file visitor record
extension under R181
- If filed after expiry on restoration track: 90-day restoration
window may apply; if outside 90 days, must depart
- Withdraw before decision: applicant may withdraw if circumstances
change (no fee refund typical)
§11 — RECOMMENDED PATH FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
Based on [INTENDED_NEW_STATUS], [DAYS_REMAINING_ON_VISITOR], and
[IN_CANADA_OR_ABROAD]:
Recommended route: [INLAND / OUTLAND]
Filing window: [FILE NOW / FILE BEFORE DATE / RESTORATION TRACK /
DEPART AND REAPPLY ABROAD]
Implied status during processing: [YES (under R183(5)) / NO]
Estimated decision timeline: [N months]
Key risks: [list 2-3 highest-priority risks]
§12 — IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS
For [CLIENT_NAME] this week:
1. Document collection (specific to chosen path)
2. Trigger-event documentation (LOA, LMIA, ITA, marriage certificate,
etc.) — dated, signed originals
3. Cover letter draft addressing transition narrative
4. Fee payment via IRCC online portal
5. Biometrics confirmation
6. RCIC sign-off before submission
End with: "DRAFT status transition advisory — for RCIC review. Each
path has distinct eligibility, evidentiary, and timing requirements.
Verify current IRCC inland-eligibility policy for the specific stream
(study / work / PR), the current implied status rules under R183(5),
and the 90-day restoration window under R182 before advising. Visitor
status conversion is genuine and lawful — but the narrative bridging
original visit purpose to new status purpose is the load-bearing
disclosure that determines outcome."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt