UK Citizen on a 6 mth visitor visa but I want to stay, please help!

[jessprior]

Hey,

I am here with my boyfriend, he has a 1 year visa through the IEC scheme. We have only just got here and already we know that we are not going to want to leave in April. He is working already and I managed to save a lot to come over so I didn't have to work, with him working I should be able to make those savings go quite far.
I know that i can apply to extend my VISA but wondered if it would be easier to just go over the boarder in to US for a week and come back in. But I am nervous that I would not get allowed back in, do you know if the Border Officer will just give me another 6 mths on reentry?

Thanks,

 

[scylla]

Better to apply to extend the visa from within Canada. It's riskier if you to a border run (no - there is no guarantee you will be given another six months or allowed back in). Pay the money and extend within Canada.

 

[Msafiri]

I concur with scylla.

A border run to the US includes facing the CBP with a purported ESTA for the VWP one of the entry conditions being an onward or return journey away from contiguous territory to the US including Canada. CBP may take the view you really have no ties to Canada (you don't as e.g. no job ) or the UK (you don't as e.g no job) and bounce you.

CBSA at the Canadian border may take the view that you want to hang out in Canada which you do and either bounce you or admit with a visitor record (requires you to show up at the airport on departure date and report to CBSA you are heading out of town) you for say a week to say adieu to our bf and pack your stuff. Extend visa status inland prior to expiry of the 6 months admission you got (send the application by registered mail/ courier) and sit tight until you get an aye or a nay. Note after 1 year of living together you will be considered common law for immigration (e.g. PR filing) by CIC and taxation by CRA.

 

[jessprior]

Thanks so much for your replies!

My boyfriend is on an IEC visa, which doesn't have the same rules as the normal work visa I don't think?! I did apply for an open work permit with the hope of getting in through the spouse route, but I got refused within 5 days, they didn't even ask for any evidence!

What do you think the likely hood is of getting my visitor visa extended if I can prove I can support myself and live with my partner who is working?

 

[scylla]

You would only qualify to apply for an open work permit if you and your boyfriend are married or are common law. Common law means you have lived together for a minimum of one full year and can prove it. CIC won't ask for additional evidence - it's up to you to provide all of the required evidence in the original application.

I think your chances of receiving a visitor visa extension are pretty good.

 

[jessprior]

Thanks! That's so frustrating, I stupidly only submitted what they asked for, i.e. application form, passport, digital photo etc. I should have sent proof anyway. Gutted. We've been together for 6 years, and living together for about 5 of them!

Do you think I should send all that proof when applying to extend here? I can get a letter from landlord here and we have a joint account too. Might just help re. him supporting me.

Thanks for all the help, really appreciated!