What happens if I overstay my visa in Canada?
Overstaying your authorized period of stay makes you a person without status in Canada. CBSA may issue a deportation order, exclusion order, or departure order. Being removed from Canada carries re-entry bars ranging from 1 year to indefinitely depending on the circumstances. All future immigration applications (visitor visa, study permit, PR) will be flagged for the overstay. Voluntary departure before CBSA acts is treated more favorably than a formal removal.
Can I restore my immigration status in Canada after an overstay?
Yes — if you are still within 90 days of your permit's expiry date and have not already left Canada. You can apply for 'restoration of status' and a new permit simultaneously, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements for the original permit category (study, work, or visitor). Restoration applications are submitted online to IRCC. After 90 days, restoration is no longer available and you must regularize status through other means (humanitarian and compassionate application, refugee claim, spousal sponsorship).
Does an overstay in Canada affect a future US visa application?
Potentially yes. When applying for a US visa or at the US border, officers have access to shared immigration databases under Canada-US information sharing agreements (entered into force in 2019). A Canadian removal order or overstay history may be disclosed to US authorities and could affect admissibility under US immigration law. Canadian immigration issues that involve dishonesty or criminal activity are more likely to affect US applications.