Urgent Please - Only given a one month stamp - US entering Canada

[toddr]

So I came to Canada to visit my girlfriend with a two week return flight, making sure to only pack enough stuff so that it would look proper. Upon arrival in Canada via air, I unfortunately got the Customs Officer who didn't feel like being too polite. Pulled me into a room and asked about how much money I had etc.

In the end, they went through my entire cellphone, asked numerous questions, made computer notes and they stamped my passport with an exit date of October 25th. The original plan was to come most likely stay for the general 6 month allowance before leaving or applying for an extension if things were good near the end of our two weeks.

Is there an ideal way to work around this to extend the stay? If we drive over the border and visit the US before my return flight date and then come back into Canada, will this give us a new permission to stay for the 6 month period? Will they stamp it again with a one month restriction? Should we spend a night in the US? Any tips would be amazing!

Need urgent help on this as the other option is to apply for an extension of the visit but it may look strange doing that just three days after entering the country? Also it will be less than 30 days from the time of the exit date and we want to apply to extend near the 6 months if things go well so we can make common law.

Just found out about this forum or I would have asked immediately upon entering. Thank you so much! Stressed out now.

 

[zardoz]

It looks as if the Immigration Officer was suspicious about your intentions but couldn't find enough evidence to refuse you entry.
However, you are in the system now and it's likely that you will be scrutinized closely by Immigration. It probably doesn't matter what you try to get round the restrictions that they have imposed. The only thing that you can do is to apply for an extension and hope that it's granted. If you try rotation via the USA, they might decide to refuse to allow you to reenter Canada, and then you are in the mire.

The obvious alternative is to stick to the letter and spirit of your visit conditions and return as your ticket states. Then, when you next visit, you will have demonstrated that you can be trusted. You may then not have extra limits imposed.

 

[toddr]

So you feel that if we crossed the border by vehicle for an overnight stay and came back, and my return flight is scheduled for about one week later out of Canada, there is still the risk that they would deny me entry and force me to cut my trip short a month? Even with all my luggage in Canada also?

 

[scylla]

I agree with zardoz. I think that crossing the border overnight and then returning is very risky. Immigration can certainly deny you entry (they can deny anyone entry at any time). They won't care where your luggage is. Having luggage in Canada doesn't entitle you to enter the country.

It would be ideal to comply with the instructions you have been given, leave on the 25th and then return at a later date.

If you're really set on trying to extend your visit, I would try applying for an extension from within Canada rather than driving to the border.

But again, I think complying with the departure date you have been given is the best option - and then returning later (preferably once you can demonstrate somewhat stronger ties to the US).

Good luck regardless of what you decide to do.

 

[steaky]

If we drive over the border and visit the US before my return flight date and then come back into Canada, will this give us a new permission to stay for the 6 month period?

Maybe or maybe not. I have a relative who came to visit us last April. His original stay was up to June. But when he returned from his first US trip (by air) in May, his passport had a new stamp and his permission stay was extended to August!

 

[sunny2710]

just wondering, when you get a stamp for only 1 month and you apply for a visa extension, are you in implied status while you wait for the decision ?

 

[zardoz]

I believe so...

 

[Line.a]

just wondering, when you get a stamp for only 1 month and you apply for a visa extension, are you in implied status while you wait for the decision ?

Yes the minute they receive the extension and send you an email confirmation that means you're on implied status until a decision is made.

 

[sunny2710]

so that would give you automaticly (when you apply not onlie but per post) more time to stay....i think its around 100 days ?

 

[Line.a]

so that would give you automaticly (when you apply not onlie but per post) more time to stay....i think its around 100 days ?

Yeah it can take a while to process and as long as you got the confirmation that they received the extension from that moment you are on implied status. Be sure to apply early though the earlier the better!

 

[bonitaellada]

Does a rejected extension of a visit visa jeopardize future visa applications?

 

[Line.a]

Does a rejected extension of a visit visa jeopardize future visa applications?

I don't think so!

 

[toddr]

Thank you for all the replies.

We would definitely like to remain together to take our relationship to the next level. Now we are a little woried about doing the border crossing for an overnight stay due to the replies. Are the odds really high that we would be denied re-entry?

We could put in an extension request and are also looking at the marriage route, if required. We wanted to go for common law initially