UK Visitor Visa Extension/Visa Run

[mitten]

Hello,

I am a UK citizen currently on a six month VISITOR VISA expiring November 15th 2013. My Partner is Canadian and will be SPONSORING me for PR, applying early November. What I am trying to figure out is what I/we will need to do when my visitor visa expires.

1) Is it possible to EXTEND my visa?
2) If not, HOW LONG do I need to be out of the country for?
3) Also do I need to return to England or can we go wait somewhere with warm sandy beaches until I can return to the country?
4) And finally If we were to spend that duration in central America or the Caribbean would I need to retake a medical?

Thanks for your help

 

[scylla]

You can extend your visa from within Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

 

[mitten]

You can extend your visa from within Canada:

Ok, thanks. Can you only extend it once as that still probably wouldn't be enough time for me to get my PR granted?
Also, do you know how long you have to leave Canada, in order to come back again on a 6 month visitor visa?

 

[DGT]

Ok, thanks. Can you only extend it once as that still probably wouldn't be enough time for me to get my PR granted?
Also, do you know how long you have to leave Canada, in order to come back again on a 6 month visitor visa?

In the application process, you can actually offer a Letter of Explanation stating why you want an extension and how long you would like. Many people over on the Outland London Applicant's Thread have had extensions for longer than 6 months. I believe the longest extension was 2 years! if you don't get that long, you can repeatedly apply, though in theory it may be harder to get an extension each time. Generally, UK citizens seem to have little trouble with the extension process (currently waiting on my first one at the moment!)

As for leaving and coming back into Canada again, I believe that there is no minimum time that you have to leave the country but multiple exits and entrances could warrant suspicions on the part of the CBSA.

SO, to sum up, you can get an extension quite easily. Also, there is no need to retake a medical after travel to any foreign climes.

 

[scylla]

Also, do you know how long you have to leave Canada, in order to come back again on a 6 month visitor visa?

There is no minimum. But each time you leave Canadian immigration will decide if you are allowed back in and for how long.

 

[shanelee153]

You can easily extend your visa if you are in canada and you have time left during your last visa, otherwise you would face some problem to extend visa or it will take some time.

 

[mitten]

In the application process, you can actually offer a Letter of Explanation stating why you want an extension and how long you would like. Many people over on the Outland London Applicant's Thread have had extensions for longer than 6 months. I believe the longest extension was 2 years! if you don't get that long, you can repeatedly apply, though in theory it may be harder to get an extension each time. Generally, UK citizens seem to have little trouble with the extension process (currently waiting on my first one at the moment!)

As for leaving and coming back into Canada again, I believe that there is no minimum time that you have to leave the country but multiple exits and entrances could warrant suspicions on the part of the CBSA.

So this applys even if your applying OUTLAND?

 

[DGT]

So this applys even if your applying OUTLAND?

Yup! That's what I'm doing.

 

[mitten]

Yup! That's what I'm doing.

If your applying OUTLAND how come you did your medical after you originally submitted application, 'cause it says on the website sponsorship and residency applications need to be sent at the same time and in the residency app it requires your meds and police files upfront?

 

[DGT]

Long story short, I was given bad advice by London. I was confused at the outset by the old system (you used to have to take a form with you to the medical depending on your category. A form that you don't get until your application has been filed). I emailed London and they advised that I do my medical only when instructed. Obviously, that isn't the norm. Don't know why London told me to do it that way.

Trust me, I'm applying outland. I know what I applied for, and I got my visitor extension just fine. Also, if you were applying Inland you wouldn't need a visitor extension as you get Implied Status as a visitor when the application is received.

 

[mitten]

Trust me, I'm applying outland. I know what I applied for, and I got my visitor extension just fine. Also, if you were applying Inland you wouldn't need a visitor extension as you get Implied Status as a visitor when the application is received.

I'm going to have to apply for an extension a month before I submit my application but it's most likely going to take longer than 6 months so do you request another extension when you submit your application, or do you do it separately? Cause when I looked at the visa extension it says I will be eligible to put in a request but only if I went down the route of 'visiting' not 'move there' as the reason for extension.

 

[DGT]

I'm going to have to apply for an extension a month before I submit my application but it's most likely going to take longer than 6 months so do you request another extension when you submit your application, or do you do it separately? Cause when I looked at the visa extension it says I will be eligible to put in a request but only if I went down the route of 'visiting' not 'move there' as the reason for extension.

You can request a longer extension in your letter of explanation. Most people have no trouble in acquiring a year or in some cases, two. Put visiting down as your purpose of course, but explain that you're having an application put in for PR. You'll have no problem.

 

[mitten]

You can request a longer extension in your letter of explanation. Most people have no trouble in acquiring a year or in some cases, two. Put visiting down as your purpose of course, but explain that you're having an application put in for PR. You'll have no problem.

Are you required to have a certain amount of money saved to apply for an extension if you are putting the reason down as visiting and if so, do you need proof?

 

[DGT]

There isn't a set sum of money, but you are required to provide some evidence of how you'll be supporting yourself, be that a bank statement or in my case, a letter from my wife detailing the fact that she is supporting me until my PR arrives.