Extended Spousal Stay Approval Using Visitor Record Procedure

[Leo10]

I am Canadian PR soon applying outland for PR for my new English wife. We enter/leave Canada frequently, never exceeding the six month visitor visa validity period. I understand that this visa limitation also includes not staying for an accumulated total of more than six months in any 12 month period. This might become a problem in the future.

To address this I have been told that when we next enter the country we could apply for Extended Visitor Status for her. This should be approved providing that I am there to speak for her, prove marriage, can satisfy Immigration that her PR application has/will be filed and they believe that it is likely to be approved. Such approval would be for the length of time that that the officer believes it will take for PR application review.

Can anyone confirm my understanding of this procedure, offer tips from their own experience and confirm whether such a visa would allow multiple entries within this visa validity period?

 

[amikety]

Just ask if your wife can have a VR - Visitor's Record. They are only good for one entry, but you can ask for a new one at each entry. Bring proof of your PR application, proof you can support her (everyone else says they're never asked for this, but better be safe than sorry), and things should go fine.

I'm unaware of the limitation you're speaking of. I've read a lot of experiences from my fellow American crossing the border and never heard of this before.

 

[Creampop]

First of all, there is not a 6 out of 12 month rule if I am not mistaken this is a UK rule and I am guessing since Canada in "under" British rule people just assume this, your visit can only last up to 6 months at a time once you cross the border your visit ends and you can re-enter again providing the IO lets you and stay another 6 months. Now to your question, I personally have never heard of an extended visitor's status but from what you have described is the way to obtain a VR just like amikety has explained the IO at POE will issue what s/he feels they can even deny entry all together tho it is very unlikely. How long you get on the VR could be anywhere from 6 months up to a year tho some people here have said they gotten 2 yrs tho I can't understand why they would give 2 years as most PR applications are done with-in a year.

 

[amikety]

If you use the "extend your stay" option on MyCIC, visa exempt visitors will end up with a VR.

It was so confusing for me at first as I thought I was approved for TRV - but sadly not!

 

[Leo10]

Well that's very interesting! My source for the "max 6 months in any one year rule" was the IO at the secondary inspection when my wife last came into the country! The IO looked at the number of entry stamps on her passport and asked if we knew about the rule!!!

However both Creampop and Amikety seem to agree that we should produce proof of the PR application and carrying proof of financial resources is easily done.

Amikety - why do you suggest I ask for a Visitors Record? What would this document do for us that simply receiving a 6 month tourist visa would not??

 

[amikety]

A Visitor's Record is your "visa" if your wife is a UK citizen. She's visa exempt, meaning she doesn't need a visa to enter Canada. Instead, we get VRs which legally enable us to remain in Canada more than 6 months. I've been in Canada without leaving since July 2011 on a VR.

Just because the IO told you, doesn't make it a fact. They're only human and can get confused too.

 

[blueangel371115]

A Visitor's Record is your "visa" if your wife is a UK citizen. She's visa exempt, meaning she doesn't need a visa to enter Canada. Instead, we get VRs which legally enable us to remain in Canada more than 6 months. I've been in Canada without leaving since July 2011 on a VR.

Just because the IO told you, doesn't make it a fact. They're only human and can get confused too.

just a question, I was issued a VR the last time I went to Canada. I returned to the US to attend a mandatory meeting two weeks later. So now what? I cross about every 3 weeks to one month for family business ( I have a dog and an ill grandmother). I don't return and leave for Canada again and again to 'reset the clock' as it were. I have no problems following the 6 months rule then renewing. I just have legit responsibilities in the US. But they ( CBSA) has mentioned immigration on the last few visits (i.e do I have the forms? Do I know how to file them? I said yes on both counts and yes I do have money to support my visits.). Buit I'm curious if others have had similar experiences. I understand that it is at their discretion to let me in and that they are just doing their jobs so this is merely a curiousity.

 

[BeShoo]

just a question, I was issued a VR the last time I went to Canada. I returned to the US to attend a mandatory meeting two weeks later. So now what?

So long as your visitor record has not expired, it seems they will usually allow you to cross into Canada again with that paperwork. I know that it probably says "Does not authorize re-entry" but it doesn't prohibit re-entry either. Even though you don't have an automatic right to re-enter Canada with that, the officer at the border can permit you to return to Canada so long as nothing seems amiss. We have taken 3 weekend trips to the U.S. with VRs and usually they didn't even ask many questions.

 

[blueangel371115]

They did and it did go easier. Probably didn't hurt that I was with my fiance at the time

 

[BeShoo]

It certainly helps to have your fiance/partner/husband.wife with you at the time when you cross the border.