Extended Stay for visitor - how likely?

[pegasusyt]

I've been wondering how likely it would be they would grant me an extended stay to stay and visit Canada longer. Really, I want to stay longer so I can marry/apply as common law with my boyfriend, but clearly I couldn't tell them that, so my best bet is saying I want to visit in Canada longer.

I've been here since September 09 and my status expires in March.

I don't think I'm likely to get it, but if anybody's gone through this I'd appreciate your thoughts..

:-\

 

[ColorMePanda]

Hi again! Lol.

I have gone through this and got my extension approved.
I told them that I wanted to stay longer to tour and visit this beautiful country.
Told how I could go back home if I needed to, had my partner, and his dad write a letter of support.

Important thing is not to lie. That doesn't mean you have to include your whole life story but just briefly state your intentions. They will appreciate your honesty. I know how nerve wrecking this is but all we can do is try and hope for the best. I would really like to believe that IO's have a heart to and if you tell them the truth then they will understand where you are coming from.

Best of luck. Oh and to relieve the worrying, distract yourself with hobbies so this doesn't drive you insane. Lol. That is what I am doing as I wait on the news of my second extension request.

 

[pegasusyt]

Hi! hehe

Thanks. How long did they give you an extension for?

Also, if you don't mind, did you have funds to prove to them that you could support yourself during your extended stay? Or were you supported by your partner? I know you'd probably have to send proof that you have funds, but I don't, as my boyfriend is the only one that can work. How should I go about this? Either tell them I have no money and be denied, or tell them the truth about my boyfriend being my sole supporter and then be denied because they'll figure out I want to marry him?

ARghhh!!

 

[Baloo]

Crazy questions:
Why not state that you want to get married?
Can anyone confirm that their visa extension was refused or approved because they wanted to get married?

If you apply for a visa extension, the processing time is currently at 79 days - even if you were refused, you should be able to get married in that timeframe.
Unless the processing happened a lot faster.
Can anyone confirm that processing of refusals is faster ?

 

[ColorMePanda]

Hi! hehe

Thanks. How long did they give you an extension for?

Also, if you don't mind, did you have funds to prove to them that you could support yourself during your extended stay? Or were you supported by your partner? I know you'd probably have to send proof that you have funds, but I don't, as my boyfriend is the only one that can work. How should I go about this? Either tell them I have no money and be denied, or tell them the truth about my boyfriend being my sole supporter and then be denied because they'll figure out I want to marry him?

ARghhh!!

Well at the time I didn't know how long the extensions took to be processed and asked for 6 months from the day I sent the application but little did I know it would take 3 months to hear a response back. My visitor record I got when I first entered was set to expire on July 31, 2009 so I asked until January 31, 2010. As far as I know whatever date you usually put is what they will give you if they want to approve it. Either way they can give you less or more time as well.

As far as the funds go, I have no job from home or here, I am 19 and broke. My mom is a single parent and I have lived with her all my life. I literally have no money to my name. My partner didn't even have a job at the time either but all the IO was looking for was a letter from his dad saying I was living in his parents home and that they were providing for me. My partner also wrote a letter to state that he would be supporting me. Seemed to work fine for us as it got approved. I even talked to the IO on the phone since she called to ask me send those statements in. I asked what she was looking for. I asked if it would be fine if they just wrote a letter and she said that would be fine. Then I joked and said I am 19 and broke and she just giggled. Two days later I called to see if they got my fax and they said everything had been approved.

 

[pegasusyt]

Baloo - Hi!

I was under the impression that if I said that I want to get married they would deny it. Maybe I'm wrong?

Panda - Wow! You're so lucky! Thanks again for replying. I'm 25 and broke so I guess that puts us in almost the same situation. lol!

Did you apply with a lawyer or on your own?

Mind if I PM you, by the way, to ask you some more stuff? I'm clueless!!

 

[Baloo]

I was under the impression that if I said that I want to get married they would deny it. Maybe I'm wrong?

I am not stating you are wrong or right, it would be good to get some real live examples.

 

[ColorMePanda]

Haha if that isn't lucky enough when I first mailed it I only included the application itself. I didn't include the checklist, anything it asked for on the checklist, or proof of support. Luckily I realized my mistake and called CIC which they emailed the IO to inform them and they lady called to say she couldn't finish it without a copy of my passport and proof of support. I got real lucky. Lol.

No I can't afford a lawyer so I have been doing things on my own.
Sure you can PM me. I just hope I can help you with anything you are needing help with.

 

[pegasusyt]

I am not stating you are wrong or right, it would be good to get some real live examples.

absolutely! I've just been told so many times "never mention your boyfriend. never say you're in a relationship. it will get you deported" :-\

 

[Nemmy]

Funny, I've heard of a few people on here getting into the country or successfully applying for extension by saying they are "exploring relationship", or staying to complete common-law requirements, or just to spend more time with their partner.

I am planning on coming over for initial 6 months in May (visa-exempt) and I really don't know whether to say I am visiting my partner or not! Some people say it is best to be truthful, and then some people say don't mention your partner as they take that as negative.

Very confusing to say the least.

 

[job_seeker]

absolutely! I've just been told so many times "never mention your boyfriend. never say you're in a relationship. it will get you deported" :-\

Hi,

You're not breaking any law when you're in a relationship so why would you get deported? Anyway ColorMePanda's experience for having been granted an extension should be proof enough that honesty pays off. Here's a post from another member who had a granted request for extension for reasons similar to yours. http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/what-are-my-chances-of-receiving-a-visa-extension-t25953.0.html;msg198276#msg198276

 

[Nemmy]

Thanks for the response JS. The thread from Poetic was one of the ones I was talking about, and there was one a while back from MissTasha I think who was in a similar position.

I plan on being honest and say I am visiting my girlfriend/partner.
I guess I'll see how it goes then lol :-\

 

[pegasusyt]

thanks, job seeker!

Nemmy, I had no idea what to say when I came in (visa exempt as well). I told them I was coming to see my boyfriend and they let me in no questions asked. But then again, I may have just gotten a nice guy, you know? I don;t know!