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Please help !! Visitor visa stay extension processing timing

Ikninder

Star Member
Aug 5, 2017
74
8
Hello
My mom has applied for visitor stay extension letter in Canada . Is there anyone in same boat ?
She has crossed her six months living in Canada . Can she still travel out of Canada without getting stay extension letter ?? She has stamp of six months on her passport on the time of entry in Canada . How long it can take to get extension letter ?
 
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primaprime

VIP Member
Apr 6, 2019
3,387
884
If she applied before six months she can remain in Canada under implied status while waiting for a decision. If she leaves Canada the application is considered abandoned and she would have to re-apply in order to return.
 

Bs65

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2016
13,187
2,420
Thanks yeah it was before six months on May 6th . Just wondering how long it's gonna take more .
Current estimate here, although note the estimates due to COVID are even less reliable than usual

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

She does not need to have the extension approved to leave Canada so can leave anytime.

If she wants to come back then of course there are COVID travel challenges/ restrictions to overcome. Also as a visitor generally recommended to stay out of Canada for similar amount of time as spent in Canada.
 
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kelly

Member
Mar 2, 2009
19
0
Hi Bs65,
Can you clarify this part of your reply: "Also as a visitor generally recommended to stay out of Canada for similar amount of time as spent in Canada. "
Never heard of this so was curious, as we had visitors that stayed 6 months and didn't know they would have to stay away for 6 months, can you elaborate a bit ?
Thanks
 

primaprime

VIP Member
Apr 6, 2019
3,387
884
In theory you can stay for six months, leave for one day, and come back for another six months, but if the border officer suspects you are abusing visitor status to effectively live full-time in Canada, they can and will refuse entry. There is no hard and fast rule but generally if you are "visiting" Canada more often than you are in your home country, it can be a red flag.