Asking for information about extending a stay in Canada

[Lineal]

Hi,

I am currently preparing a trip to Canada as a visitor for the first time (more precisely in Quebec). I plan to stay for two weeks but depending on my appreciation of the place I might end up extending my stay for an additional month. I was seeking information and found that I need to apply for a visitor record. On the official webpage of the Canadian government, it says to apply for it 30 days before my status expires (if I have to leave by the potential date stamped in my passport by a border services officer). Since I initially come for two weeks, it is temporally impossible to respect the 30 days rule to fill the visitor record online. I then read on a forum that this was only a recommendation and not a requirement, can you confirm it is the case ? If so, I would apply for the visitor record a few days prior to the expiration date (3-4 days before the expiry date). At this point, it seems that I will be in "maintained status" and can legally stay inside Canada until my record is being processed (around 50 days on the website), even if my status expires during the waiting process, is it still correct ? Once I apply for the visitor record, will I receive any email to know if my application has been received ? If that's the case, how long does it take to receive such an email ? I bet I would need to prove at any moment that my stay is legal within the country even after my initial status expires. I do have a passport, an eTA and I would be able to modify the dates on my return flight ticket. I was also wondering if I should ask all of these questions to a border services officer once at the airport (I did have already sent an email to them yesterday) ? Thank you for your attention.

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I am currently preparing a trip to Canada as a visitor for the first time (more precisely in Quebec). I plan to stay for two weeks but depending on my appreciation of the place I might end up extending my stay for an additional month. I was seeking information and found that I need to apply for a visitor record. On the official webpage of the Canadian government, it says to apply for it 30 days before my status expires (if I have to leave by the potential date stamped in my passport by a border services officer). Since I initially come for two weeks, it is temporally impossible to respect the 30 days rule to fill the visitor record online. I then read on a forum that this was only a recommendation and not a requirement, can you confirm it is the case ? If so, I would apply for the visitor record a few days prior to the expiration date (3-4 days before the expiry date). At this point, it seems that I will be in "maintained status" and can legally stay inside Canada until my record is being processed (around 50 days on the website), even if my status expires during the waiting process, is it still correct ? Once I apply for the visitor record, will I receive any email to know if my application has been received ? If that's the case, how long does it take to receive such an email ? I bet I would need to prove at any moment that my stay is legal within the country even after my initial status expires. I do have a passport, an eTA and I would be able to modify the dates on my return flight ticket. I was also wondering if I should ask all of these questions to a border services officer once at the airport (I did have already sent an email to them yesterday) ? Thank you for your attention.

Most likely you will be allowed into Canada for six months and there will be no need to extend your stay to visit a month longer.

 

[Lineal]

Just to give a feedback, it was as you said, I was allowed to travel through Canada for six months. Thank you.

 

[Canada2020eh]

Just to give a feedback, it was as you said, I was allowed to travel through Canada for six months. Thank you.

You can travel anywhere in Canada. Unless there is some reason for CBSA to give you a limited time in Canada you are allowed to stay for 6 months. Don't over think it, wait until you enter Canada and see what happens. Tell them your origional plan, don't mention maybe staying longer, you are allowed to change your plans once you are here without telling them. Under normal circumstances you would only request a visitor record if needing to stay longer than the 6 months. If you entered and CBSA said you could only stay for 2 months then you probably wouldn't be approved for a record anyways because there would be a reason why they only are allowing you to stay for 2 months when you entered. Your return ticket should show your origional planned departure date, not a date 2 months later since you are initially only planning to stay for 2 weeks. You can change your return ticket date when you decide to stay longer or not.