Can I enter Canada as a tourist before my classes start?

[manank]

Hello everyone!

I'm going to McGill University in Montreal this coming fall. My application for study permit was approved last week and a Temporary Resident Visa (Category S-1) was issued.
However, I was wondering if it's possible for me to visit Canada with my parents, as a tourist, in June (I am not from a visa-exempt country) before my classes start? We are planning to spend a month in Vancouver and Toronto each and then my parents will finally drop me off at college in Montreal and leave - my residence move-in date is August 23, 2013. Both my parents have valid V-1 visas, so that won't be a problem, but will I be allowed to enter with an S-1 visa?

Damn confused, help me!

 

[ms.mech]

Hello everyone!

I'm going to McGill University in Montreal this coming fall. My application for study permit was approved last week and a Temporary Resident Visa (Category S-1) was issued.
However, I was wondering if it's possible for me to visit Canada with my parents, as a tourist, in June (I am not from a visa-exempt country) before my classes start? We are planning to spend a month in Vancouver and Toronto each and then my parents will finally drop me off at college in Montreal and leave - my residence move-in date is August 23, 2013. Both my parents have valid V-1 visas, so that won't be a problem, but will I be allowed to enter with an S-1 visa?

Damn confused, help me!

Where are you from?

 

[manank]

Where are you from?

India

 

[BDTIGER]

When is your visa valid from??

 

[manank]

When is your visa valid from??

Valid from April 18, 2013 to September 30, 2017.

 

[ms.mech]

Valid from April 18, 2013 to September 30, 2017.

Congrats for your visa.
Yes. You can enter legally after your visa has been issued. But I would recommend you not entering canada before end of june.

 

[manank]

Congrats for your visa.
Yes. You can enter legally after your visa has been issued. But I would recommend you not entering canada before end of june.

Thanks. Are you sure it won't be a problem?

 

[ms.mech]

Thanks. Are you sure it won't be a problem?

Yes. of course.

 

[KEM]

you have Study visa ,,, you should enter canadaa 2 or 3 week before ... tell your parent visit later when you will reach there and start you classes then come .... this would be better for all of you.. nowadays immigration officer think too much .. even you have a valid visa but imigration officer has full right to cancle your visa at any doubt !!! play save , chicky singles!!! its a test match not one day or 20 20!!!

 

[manank]

Anyone else? All opinions are welcome.

 

[scylla]

No one here can tell you for certain what will happen.

There's certainly a chance that you will have no problems entering Canada early. However we've also seen one or two stories on this forum where people were denied entry into Canada because they arrived too far ahead of the start of their classes. In these cases the immigration officer suspected they were coming early to work illegally, sent them home and told them to return closer to the start of their studies.

 

[458 Bridge]

Anyone else? All opinions are welcome.

Make sure u have a solid plan for travel. Show them hotel reservations and booking and what u will be doing in the two months.

This is not a problem. You can always say that ur only going to travel for 2/3 weeks and then settle and ur parents will leave.

You should be good. ENJOY !!

P.S did u get multiple entry or a single entry Visa ?

 

[manank]

Make sure u have a solid plan for travel. Show them hotel reservations and booking and what u will be doing in the two months.

This is not a problem. You can always say that ur only going to travel for 2/3 weeks and then settle and ur parents will leave.

You should be good. ENJOY !!

P.S did u get multiple entry or a single entry Visa ?

Thanks! Multiple entry.

 

[jaswanthca]

Hi friend,

Your visa period is 4+ years, but student visa is valid only for 2 years right.. ?
correct me if i am wrong.

And manank, i am also planning to move canada via Student visa ? i need some genuine details brother, can you share your email ids please ?

 

[brilliantone]

For me , I think you should wait till July, which is roughly a month before ur class , with these u will definitely have no problem at the Point of Entry.