If you applied hoping to extend your visitor status and got an approval that doesn't include a passport stamp/counterfoil, it's likely because you applied for the wrong category:
- A Visitor Record and a Visitor Visa (TRV) are two different applications. A Visitor Record extends or confirms your legal status while you remain inside Canada — it does not come with a passport stamp because it isn't meant for re-entry after leaving the country.
- A Visitor Visa (TRV) is the document that gets stamped in your passport and is what you need if you plan to leave Canada and return.
- If you leave Canada on a Visitor Record alone, re-entry is uncertain — you would need a valid TRV to come back in.
Takeaway: if you need to travel out of Canada and return, double check which category you actually applied for. If it was a Visitor Record, you'll likely need to submit a separate TRV application before international travel — don't assume the two are interchangeable.