Irish man visiting canadian girlfriend help

[irishmanus]

Hi everyone,

Im from ireland and recently traveled to toronto to visit my canadian girlfriend for 10 days.
I got pulled in to immigration and after questioning i got a certificate to allow me to stay for the 10 days.
I want to return to canada soon but this time for a longer period.
I am unemployed and will be traveling alone.
I have enough cash to support myself and will be living with my girlfriend who has a full time job.
I currently live with my parents.
I would like to know if next time i go for say 3 months, would they let me in and is there anything i can do or bring to help?

thanks in advance

 

[scylla]

It's impossible for any of us to say what will happen at the border next time you enter Canada since that's really up to the CBSA officer you encounter. However since you had some issues once, it's more likely you'll be examined more closely on future visits. Sounds like CBSA had concerns you might be coming for more than just a visit and concerns you didn't have sufficient ties to your home country.

I would wait at least 2-3 months before attempting to visit Canada again. Ideally you want to be able to show stronger ties to Ireland the next time you come here. If you are able to get a job in your home country - that would certainly help. Alternatively if you plan to attend school once you return home, bring a letter showing you're enrolled and pay your tuition fee in advance (and bring evidence of this with you).

Make sure you have a return ticket. Also don't pack like you're moving - stick with one suitcase.

 

[irishmanus]

Thanks for your reply

As I am from Ireland I do not need a visitor visa but I'm wondering can I apply for one?
I do not want to arrive in Canada only to be sent home

Am I allowed to just be visiting my girlfriend?
it seems like saying your visiting your girlfriend is a terrible thing.

 

[JamesR87]

Did you have all your documents in order when you came through immigration last time, including return flight information?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for your reply

As I am from Ireland I do not need a visitor visa but I'm wondering can I apply for one?
I do not want to arrive in Canada only to be sent home

Am I allowed to just be visiting my girlfriend?
it seems like saying your visiting your girlfriend is a terrible thing.

A visitor visa won't help you. The process at the border will still be the same. A visitor visa doesn't guarantee entry into Canada - it's no different than an ETA.

No - it's by no means terrible to visit your girlfriend - provided you are a genuine visitor and can demonstrate this. If you have a lack of ties, CBSA officers can become concerned that you have plans to remain in Canada long term (which is not what a visitor visa is for - you aren't supposed to live in Canada on a visitor visa). In your case you lack ties to your home country (no job, no property) and this made CBSA officers worried you were coming over for more than just a visit.

You should be prepared for the possibility you will face scrutiny again when you return. A three month trip is a very long trip and really not typical of a genuine tourist, as I am sure you understand. So it's quite possible officers will want to be see that you really are a tourist (i.e. have tied to your home country) and aren't trying to live in Canada.