Been in Canada for 5 months

[Livestrong]

Hi Guys

I came from the UK to be with my family here since may as a tourist I am a UK citizen, you are allowed to stay in Canada for 6 months


My sister has had a new baby so I will be going home back to UK...for two weeks..and then come back to canada and stay for another two months.

Is that allowed? as i've stayed in Canada for 5 months already?
Just wish to finish my tour travelling all over Canada and just spend time with my family here in Canada.

 

[Leon]

Canada immigration doesn't keep records of when you leave and as you are going back to the UK where you are a citizen, you will not have a stamp in your passport. When you arrive to Canada again, they will most likely have no idea that you stayed for 5 months rather than 1.

Generally I don't think they want you to stay in Canada on a visit visa more than 6 months a year but if you don't say anything, they probably will not say anything either. They will probably just think you are coming for another visit.

 

[Suin]

thanks for the info, Leon. does it apply for a person with a multiple-entry visitor visa to Canada?

 

[Leon]

It applies to all visitors. Once you are staying in the country for more than 6 months a year, you are not really visiting any more, are you? They may still let it slide but each time you enter Canada, even if you have a visa or are visa exempt, it's up to the immigration officers if they feel like letting you in or not. If they feel that you are moving to or living in Canada permanently on visit status, they can deny you entry.

If you want to stay in Canada for longer than 6 months, maybe because you have a Canadian spouse and are working on sponsorship, you can also apply to extend your visitor status.

 

[Suin]

thank you for your reply, Leon.
in your previous post you said 'Canada immigration doesn't keep records of when you leave....When you arrive to Canada again, they will most likely have no idea that you stayed for 5 months rather than 1.' - that is what got me interested and I was thinking of the possibility to leave and re-enter in a month (not for myself, for my close relative).

 

[Leon]

Many people have done that and been successful but you can not guarantee success.