Visiting Extension

[Atanos]

Hi everyone,

I am from the US, meaning I am visa exempt and only needed my passport to enter Canada. When I crossed the border on March 1st, 2015, I told the officer in customs that I was staying until May 3rd, 2015. Now that I have 2 weeks left I have decided that I wanted to extend my visit. However, I was given a Visitor Record on my arrival and it says I have to leave by May 3rd. How do I go about this? Am I able to extend? I just learned today that I have to apply for an extension 30 days in advance but I am not on a visa since I am exempt. Any information would be helpful.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi everyone,

I am from the US, meaning I am visa exempt and only needed my passport to enter Canada. When I crossed the border on March 1st, 2015, I told the officer in customs that I was staying until May 3rd, 2015. Now that I have 2 weeks left I have decided that I wanted to extend my visit. However, I was given a Visitor Record on my arrival and it says I have to leave by May 3rd. How do I go about this? Am I able to extend? I just learned today that I have to apply for an extension 30 days in advance but I am not on a visa since I am exempt. Any information would be helpful.

1. The 30 days is a "suggestion" by law you have to apply for an extension before the visitor record expires. so you apply on line/or paper for an extension of your visitor status. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend/visa.asp

 

[Atanos]

Hi


1. The 30 days is a "suggestion" by law you have to apply for an extension before the visitor record expires. so you apply on line/or paper for an extension of your visitor status.

How long does this take to process? Can I stay in Canada until I get an answer? Over the phone the woman says it can take up to 2 months, but I only want to stay for another month. It got me confused.

 

[césaria]

If you want to extend, get going right now! It will take you a bit of time to get everything together and do the application. It also costs $100. As long as you submit it to the office (by registered mail) before may 3.

If you mail it all and make sure your paperwork GETS THERE before may 3, you will be allowed to say in canada until you get a response from immigration. In my case it took 3 and a half months. If you leave before you get a response, after a month, it's okay!

Is it worth doing it to stay one month? only you know! It's quite a bit of work actually.

 

[fistillarte]

Maybe online? Applications online tend to last less than 2 days. I did it for my father in law and for my dad and both lasted 1 day to get the approval (Not extension, just the visitor application before they came).

 

[Atanos]

Thank you everyone for responding. Unfortunately, I just sucked it up and left May 3rd. Next time, though, with better preparation, I hope to stay a bit longer.