Converting to visitor visa and renewing?

[Karz29]

Hi all, I have a bit of a weird question.
I am on scholarship from my home country and need to return there after the completion of my degree to perform obligatory service for the government. However, my boyfriend lives in Canada. We plan to do long distance over the period that I will be gone and visit in between.

My question is, if I change my status from a student visa to a visitor visa, would I be able to renew my visitor visa after it expires? Or would I have to apply for a visitor visa as a first time applicant?

 

[Bs65]

You can apply to extend your stay as a visitor whilst in Canada which would be good for status whilst in the country. But actual Visit visas for travel cannot be renewed they have to applied for from scratch. Given you already had a visa you will already be in the system so should ensure you indicate the fact in the application as you would not be a first time applicant.