Confusion regarding visitor's visa. Please advise!

[Peter Rabbit]

Just a quick question: My mother has a 5 year multiple entry visa. Each time she comes here she stays for 6 months.

I was wondering: If we go to Costa Rica or Cuba for a week in December (which we do every year), can she stay for another 6 months in Canada after our arrival from holidays?

This way, she could stay for roughly 6 months before our trip to Cuba/Costa Rica and another 6 months after our arrival from holidays. A total of some 12 months with a break of 7 days in-between. Someone advised me that as long as she leaves Canada after 6 months, even if it is only for a week, she can stay for another period of 6 months.
I know that I would have to make some arrangements for her medical insurance. At any rate, we want to do everything legally as I am in the process of sponsoring her here.
Kindly advise.
Thank you so much!

 

[John_Dorry]

Just a quick question: My mother has a 5 year multiple entry visa. Each time she comes here she stays for 6 months.

I was wondering: If we go to Costa Rica or Cuba for a week in December (which we do every year), can she stay for another 6 months in Canada after our arrival from holidays?

This way, she could stay for roughly 6 months before our trip to Cuba/Costa Rica and another 6 months after our arrival from holidays. A total of some 12 months with a break of 7 days in-between. Someone advised me that as long as she leaves Canada after 6 months, even if it is only for a week, she can stay for another period of 6 months.
I know that I would have to make some arrangements for her medical insurance. At any rate, we want to do everything legally as I am in the process of sponsoring her here.
Kindly advise.
Thank you so much!

Hi Peter,


the final decision regard all this kind of considerations belongs to the border immigration officer. Normally, as soon as she leaves Canada, wherever she goes, it sounds OK…

Just be sure to keep with you all documents that can prove she will be back after the period determined by the officer.


Kind regards,


John

 

[job_seeker]

If the Port of Entry officer suspects that she's no longer visiting but is staying in Canada, she may be given a shorter stay even if technically, she has multiple entry visa, has left the country and came back.

Hi Peter,


the final decision regard all this kind of considerations belongs to the border immigration officer. Normally, as soon as she leaves Canada, wherever she goes, it sounds OK...

Just be sure to keep with you all documents that can prove she will be back after the period determined by the officer.


Kind regards,


John

 

[Peter Rabbit]

Thank you both for your information.
So, theoretically she can stay for 6 months; leave Canada for a few days (a week), return and stay for another 6 months.

How would I know if the border officer is giving her a reduced period of visit? Is (s)he writing in the passport a departure date?

Thank you all!

 

[job_seeker]

If no new stamp, it means, she's here as a continuation of the initial visit. If given a new stamp with "two dates"- arrival date and when to leave date", or a visitor record. If new stamp with just the arrival date then she's given another 6 months.

Thank you both for your information.
So, theoretically she can stay for 6 months; leave Canada for a few days (a week), return and stay for another 6 months.

How would I know if the border officer is giving her a reduced period of visit? Is (s)he writing in the passport a departure date?

Thank you all!