request for extended entry visa

[mapleleaf2014]

Hi, when I first posted on here some months ago, somebody said that if you have a letter or some evidence that your residency application is in process, immigration may be open to giving you longer on your visitor immigration stamp on entry.
Does anyone else have this experience or know if that is possible?
I am not sure if that is something I want to ask, and also not sure how to ask etc.
We are leaving for Canada in two weeks, just arranging shipping etc.
I have also heard from a health insurance place in Calgary Alberta that if I have an entry stamp in my passport, I will be eligible for health cover in Alberta, which is great news. It is the city centre gulf branch.

Thank you.

 

[bartjones]

I'm assuming that you're from a visa exempt country. You can ask them for a 'visitor's record' when you enter which will give you longer than the usual 6 month stay. Alternatively, you can just take the 6 months they give you and apply for an extension a few months later. If you have a pending PR application, a place to stay and the means to support yourself, such extensions are granted pretty routinely. Personally, I went the extension route with my wife but others on this board requested and were given a visitor's record.

 

[mapleleaf2014]

ok thank you for your reply.

If I don't get a visitor record and I choose to leave Canada after six months and re-enter, would I get another six months? And is there a minimum time you have to leave Canada for?

With a visitor record - would I be free to enter and leave Canada when I wanted?

Thank you.

 

[bartjones]

ok thank you for your reply.

If I don't get a visitor record and I choose to leave Canada after six months and re-enter, would I get another six months? And is there a minimum time you have to leave Canada for?

Technically, yes. You can leave and re-enter and presumably get another 6 months. You're probably okay to do this once. If you leave and come back multiple times, the CBSA agent may get a little concerned that you're never planning to really leave and are actually living here. There are never any guarantees and multiple entries/exits in a short time frame are something of a red flag for the guys at CBSA.

With a visitor record - would I be free to enter and leave Canada when I wanted?

I don't believe so. Once you leave, the visitor's record expires and you're back to square one.

 

[mapleleaf2014]

Thank you.
I think I will go the visitor record route. As the length of healthcare cover relates to my entry status, I think this will be useful.
I am hoping I will not have to go back for an interview so this could save hassle after six months. We have a small child and have to move again within three months. We got a letter saying our child was a citizen and he now has a Canadian passport. I am hoping this means our application will be more straightforward.
Do I just ask at the immigration stage on entry at the airport for a visitor record for one year - is it that simple? I am not assuming I will automatically get one though, up to their discretion I am sure.
Documents to help - bank statement showing funds, letter from CIC saying PR application in process - tenancy agreement in Canada with my name on it - or would this be a red flag for someone not planning to leave? The lease is actually only for three months. Or would a family contact address be better? Anything else?
Thank you.

 

[bartjones]

Thank you.
I think I will go the visitor record route. As the length of healthcare cover relates to my entry status, I think this will be useful.
I am hoping I will not have to go back for an interview so this could save hassle after six months. We have a small child and have to move again within three months. We got a letter saying our child was a citizen and he now has a Canadian passport. I am hoping this means our application will be more straightforward.
Do I just ask at the immigration stage on entry at the airport for a visitor record for one year - is it that simple? I am not assuming I will automatically get one though, up to their discretion I am sure.

Yes, you can just ask them for a one year visitor's record. As you say, they may or may not give it to you.

Documents to help - bank statement showing funds, letter from CIC saying PR application in process - tenancy agreement in Canada with my name on it - or would this be a red flag for someone not planning to leave? The lease is actually only for three months. Or would a family contact address be better? Anything else?
Thank you.

Those documents are good. A ticket with a return date within the 6 months is usually a good one to have as well. The lease could be a red flag. Is there anyone else is on the lease?

 

[mapleleaf2014]

Yes my husband is on the lease as well. it runs out after three months as we are renting somewhere temporarily.
The only thing is I have a one way ticket...however, I will have a uk address and will be maintaining normal UK residency during my stay in Canada and I will have a letter to that effect. I am hoping that will help.
I know a one way ticket can be a red flag too, but decided to take the chance as I am not sure when/if I will be called for an interview.

 

[Ponga]

Why not see if you can convert that into a round trip ticket, with the return portion being fully refundable?

Or...purchase a one way ticket for your return `home' that is refundable?

 

[little_apple]

Hi, when I first posted on here some months ago, somebody said that if you have a letter or some evidence that your residency application is in process, immigration may be open to giving you longer on your visitor immigration stamp on entry.
Does anyone else have this experience or know if that is possible?
I am not sure if that is something I want to ask, and also not sure how to ask etc.
We are leaving for Canada in two weeks, just arranging shipping etc.
I have also heard from a health insurance place in Calgary Alberta that if I have an entry stamp in my passport, I will be eligible for health cover in Alberta, which is great news. It is the city centre gulf branch.

Thank you.

I applied for a visitor visa extension with proof of PR application in process and it was approved.

I was on Alberta Health Care with my work permit for 2 years but have to stop working next week. Starting April I can keep this insurance because I have a common-law agreement with my boyfriend. You must have a common-law relationship for at least 3 years or a common-law agreement or a child together or be married to be eligible for AHC. Your husband/common-law partner can apply for your health card over the phone. We did it today.

 

[little_apple]

ok thank you for your reply.

If I don't get a visitor record and I choose to leave Canada after six months and re-enter, would I get another six months? And is there a minimum time you have to leave Canada for?

With a visitor record - would I be free to enter and leave Canada when I wanted?

Thank you.

You can travel to the US without losing your visitor record. It's written on the CIC website

 

[mapleleaf2014]

Why not see if you can convert that into a round trip ticket, with the return portion being fully refundable?

Or...purchase a one way ticket for your return `home' that is refundable?

I could do yes, that would make things easier probably. But...if they give a record for a year, how would a return ticket within six months help (which is what I would get with my country of nationality anyway)? Or does this just show good intentions?

 

[mapleleaf2014]

You can travel to the US without losing your visitor record. It's written on the CIC website

Hi, could you tell me where? I only found a page that says there is no guarantee of re entry, even with a visitor record. Thanks.
Also, is there a minimum period you can leave Canada for? Or could you just go away for a few days or a week?

 

[Ponga]

I could do yes, that would make things easier probably. But...if they give a record for a year, how would a return ticket within six months help (which is what I would get with my country of nationality anyway)? Or does this just show good intentions?

It would simply help show that upon entry into Canada, you have a scheduled departure date, which = good intentions.

 

[mapleleaf2014]

It would simply help show that upon entry into Canada, you have a scheduled departure date, which = good intentions.

ok thank you. that is good advice.

 

[little_apple]

Hi, could you tell me where? I only found a page that says there is no guarantee of re entry, even with a visitor record. Thanks.
Also, is there a minimum period you can leave Canada for? Or could you just go away for a few days or a week?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=473&t=4

If you have a single-entry visa this allows you to enter Canada once. If you leave Canada during your authorized stay, you must get a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada, unless you visit the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon. If you visit those places, you can return to Canada without a new visa, as long as you:
return within the period that the Canadian immigration officer initially authorized when you first entered Canada (on your visa, it is either a handwritten date or 6 months from the date of the entry stamp); or
have a valid visitor record, work permit, study permit or temporary resident permit (authorizing re-entry), and return within the period that the officer initially authorized.