Coming from France, how long can stay

[Krazykanook]

Hi all - my girlfriend in France wants to come to Canada for 6 months with her son who is 12 (Starting Sept/Oct depending on border open).

I spoke with a lawyer who made it confusing by saying she may be denied 6 months depending on the border guard on the day (if he's in a bad mood etc).. which wasn't helpful at all.

She owns her own house in France with no mortgage which she can bring proof of and also proof of access to a lot of cash she has in her bank so she wouldn't need any support. She would live with me and I have a good job. Anyone with any experience on this? I read French can come for 6 months on an ETA.

One other question - after the 6 months she goes back when can she come back again? She has been in Canada 2 times in the past year (nce in August 2019 for 2 weeks and once in February 2020 for 2 weeks).

Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Hi all - my girlfriend in France wants to come to Canada for 6 months with her son who is 12 (Starting Sept/Oct depending on border open).

I spoke with a lawyer who made it confusing by saying she may be denied 6 months depending on the border guard on the day (if he's in a bad mood etc).. which wasn't helpful at all.

She owns her own house in France with no mortgage which she can bring proof of and also proof of access to a lot of cash she has in her bank so she wouldn't need any support. She would live with me and I have a good job. Anyone with any experience on this? I read French can come for 6 months on an ETA.

One other question - after the 6 months she goes back when can she come back again? She has been in Canada 2 times in the past year (nce in August 2019 for 2 weeks and once in February 2020 for 2 weeks).

Thanks!

The lawyer is right. If and how long she will be allowed into Canada will be up to the CBSA officer she encounters at the border. If it looks like she is attempting to move to Canada, she could have issues at the border. Generally speaking, visitors are usually allowed in for the default 6 month visit. However it will ultimately be up to the CBSA officer and no one can predict exactly what will happen.

What are the plans for her son? As a visitor, he will not be entitled to attend school unless he obtains a study permit and your girfriend is willing to pay approx $15K in annual tuition.

If she stays six months and leaves, ideally she should stay out for at least six months before returning to make sure it doesn't look like she's trying to live in Canada without authorization.