You can apply to change your status to visitor, but once your current study or work permit expires, you won’t be able to apply for a new study or work permit from within Canada. This means it won’t give you more time to extend your study or work permit.
Most visitors aren’t eligible to apply for a study or work permit from within Canada. If you change your status to visitor, you may have to leave Canada to apply for a new study or work permit.
Because of this, we strongly recommend you don’t change your status to visitor if you need more time to apply for your permit.
Make sure you know when your current permit expires and apply at least 30 days before it does.
How to apply to extend your study permit or your work permit
What to do if your current study permit has already expired