Re-Visiting Canada - UK Passport

[unsure]

Dear all

I am somewhat concerned im not sure if this is anything to worry about....

I went to Canada in September 2011 to visit family and friends. My initial planned stay duration was 3 weeks. But I decided to go to the US via the Windsor/Detroit tunnel and I stayed in the US for 4 days then I went back into Canada again via the same tunnel. I then extended my stay in Canada for another 3 weeks. So in total I stayed 6 weeks in Canada. When I left Canada to go back to the UK, in Toronto Airport, I did not get any exit stamp in my passport or anything at all. I just checked in with AirCanada in Toronto Airport and Went to the departure gate. I am planning on going to Canada again this June with my family for a holiday and stay for maybe 3 weeks or so We might also go to America for a week during our stay in Canada. I have also renewed my UK Passport as the one I used 2 years ago was about to expire.

My concerns are:

1. I did not get an exit stamp from 2 years ago...nor did I have some sort of decleration card or form to fill in before leaving Canada. So how does Canadian immigration know i left Canada ?

2. Is there a decleration form to fill out before leaving exiting Canada? I was not given one nor was I directed to one.

3. As I went to the US 2 years ago aswell for 4 days and re-entered Canada...does that effect anything at all?

4. When I go to Canada this June, will Canadian immigration in Toronto Airport know that I left Canada 2 years ago?

5. On the decleration card when entering Canada 2 years ago....I think, If i remember correctly, that i put planned stay duration as 3 weeks, but because I extended another 3 weeks, Will that be ok? Canadian immigration wont consider that i ''didnt leave on time'' ?

I know i am Visa exempt but I just want to make sure that there wont be any problems when I go in June.

Sorry if all these have been asked before...but I would really appreciate any advice with these 5 questions.

Thank You

 

[scylla]

1. Canada has no exit stamps.
2. No - there is no exit declaration form.
3. No impact.
4. Possibly. They have access to flight manifests (i.e. airline records).
5. They won't care. Plans sometimes change. I'm sure you were granted the standard six month visit. As long as you didn't overstay that - no issues.

 

[unsure]

^Thanks for your reply.

The reason I got somewhat worried is because when i went to the US I was told I had to give the I-94w form to the canadian official when i go back in to Canada...I thought there might be something similar with visitors to Canada?

With regards to point 4, if I may ask....you say they possibly might know I left Canada....Will they ask about it when I go in June? what if they have the record that I only entered (I do have the entry stamp and date of entry on it only) but because there is no exit stamp or exit declaration form will they think i overstayed and ive been in Canada all this time? lool That would be funny.

 

[zardoz]

The US is a very different place as far as immigration control is concerned.
The I-94w is indeed used to make sure you leave the country correctly.

You are quite safe. I have made many trips over on my British passport and they really don't care how long you stay up to (I think) 6 months. Unless they insert a specific restriction at the POE, you can assume that you are clear for the full permitted period for visa-exempt nationals.

 

[davek1979]

Dear all

I am somewhat concerned im not sure if this is anything to worry about....

I went to Canada in September 2011 to visit family and friends. My initial planned stay duration was 3 weeks. But I decided to go to the US via the Windsor/Detroit tunnel and I stayed in the US for 4 days then I went back into Canada again via the same tunnel. I then extended my stay in Canada for another 3 weeks. So in total I stayed 6 weeks in Canada. When I left Canada to go back to the UK, in Toronto Airport, I did not get any exit stamp in my passport or anything at all. I just checked in with AirCanada in Toronto Airport and Went to the departure gate. I am planning on going to Canada again this June with my family for a holiday and stay for maybe 3 weeks or so We might also go to America for a week during our stay in Canada. I have also renewed my UK Passport as the one I used 2 years ago was about to expire.

My concerns are:

1. I did not get an exit stamp from 2 years ago...nor did I have some sort of decleration card or form to fill in before leaving Canada. So how does Canadian immigration know i left Canada ?

2. Is there a decleration form to fill out before leaving exiting Canada? I was not given one nor was I directed to one.

3. As I went to the US 2 years ago aswell for 4 days and re-entered Canada...does that effect anything at all?

4. When I go to Canada this June, will Canadian immigration in Toronto Airport know that I left Canada 2 years ago?

5. On the decleration card when entering Canada 2 years ago....I think, If i remember correctly, that i put planned stay duration as 3 weeks, but because I extended another 3 weeks, Will that be ok? Canadian immigration wont consider that i ''didnt leave on time'' ?

I know i am Visa exempt but I just want to make sure that there wont be any problems when I go in June.

Sorry if all these have been asked before...but I would really appreciate any advice with these 5 questions.

Thank You

Visit visas are valid for 6months unless they put a specific date that you have to leave by.

 

[unsure]

^ I am Visa exempt because I have a UK Passport.

My concern is how will Canadian Immigration in the airport know that I left Canada last time I visited if their are no exit stamps or exit decleration forms when you leave (like the I-94w form for the US) ???

 

[zardoz]

They won't, and what's more, they will not care. That is one of the joys of being Visa exempt.
Having said that, your passport was almost certainly scanned at some point during the exit process, so it's probably on file in a database somewhere.

Really, you need to relax and just enjoy life...

 

[unsure]

^Your right, thanks. I just read horror stories on the net about these sort of things.

I Renewed my Passport last year anyway, the one I used to visit Canada 2 years ago was about to expire.

 

[unsure]

Can anyone please advise...if it matters that I Renewed my British passport last year..and that the UK passport I used to go to Canada 2 years is expired. I just need clarification on this point aswell then ill feel better.

The Passport I had 2 years ago has the Entry stamp...and if they scanned it when I left Canada...then how will they know I left Canada if I go this June with my new Passport?

 

[scrls5]

I also tend to super stress out with anything visa related (from any country) so, as a person who stresses out about this things to another: chill out.
They know that passports expire, your name and nationality is the same, so chillout

This does not apply to you but might help you relax: I'm a mexican citizen, and everytime I travel to the US they give me my I-94 which I'm supposed to surrender everytime I go out of the country, I've forgotten that piece of paper twice in my checked in baggage and never had an issue when re-entering

 

[unsure]

Two years ago when I left the US to go back into Canada by land (the Detroit/Windsor bus), The Canadian border guys ripped the I-94w green form from my passport. Was that supposed to happen?

If I go to the US again this June, will there be any issues at the immigration? Will they know I left the US last time?

 

[zardoz]

Yes, Canada takes the I-94w and returns it to the USA. That's how the USA will know that you left the country.

Stop Worrying

 

[mountainjack]

Hi all

Just a quick few questions could really do with answering as I can't find a clear answer anywhere.

I'm a UK resident with British passport so understand that I'm visa exempt, at the moment I'm planning on visiting from mid July to mid October. I may however depending on funds stay the part or whole winter in a ski resort. Would I need to apply for anything if staying longer than a 3 months?
Also do I need proof of funds and travel insurance and a booked return flight if I'm staying for a few months?
Cheers all!