Visiting my girlfriend in Canada for 6 months

[Hanflyingsolo]

In just over a month I am leaving to go to Canada to visit my girlfriend and stay with her and her family for 6 months. Is there anything I need to worry about such as not being allowed to stay for the full 6 months. Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scylla]

How long you are allowed into Canada is entirely up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border. Typically visitors are allowed in for the default six months. However it's quite possible to only be allowed in for a shorter period of time if the CBSA officer has concerns about your intentions (i.e. believes you plan to remain in Canada long term) or if you have insufficient ties to your home country. To try to make the process as smooth as possible for yourself, ensure you pack like a tourist (i.e. only bring a suitcase or two and don't bring things that short term tourists usually don't bring), if you are flying make sure you have a return ticket, ensure you can show you have enough money to support yourself here without working, would be good to carry proof of travel insurance, and if possible, it's always a good idea to carry evidence of ties to your home country (e.g. property, employment, assets).

 

[parjat93]

I want my boyfriend to apply for visitor visa to visit me in Canada. He is working in merchant navy on contract basis from last 7 years. He has strong travel history around the world. As you already got approved for visa, could you please advice any tip So,how can we make our file more strong to get approve.
Don't want to take a chance for rejection.

 

[Hanflyingsolo]

How long you are allowed into Canada is entirely up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border. Typically visitors are allowed in for the default six months. However it's quite possible to only be allowed in for a shorter period of time if the CBSA officer has concerns about your intentions (i.e. believes you plan to remain in Canada long term) or if you have insufficient ties to your home country. To try to make the process as smooth as possible for yourself, ensure you pack like a tourist (i.e. only bring a suitcase or two and don't bring things that short term tourists usually don't bring), if you are flying make sure you have a return ticket, ensure you can show you have enough money to support yourself here without working, would be good to carry proof of travel insurance, and if possible, it's always a good idea to carry evidence of ties to your home country (e.g. property, employment, assets).

Thanks for that it’s really appreciated. I just found out that I need an ETA to travel there which is news to me.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for that it’s really appreciated. I just found out that I need an ETA to travel there which is news to me.

Yes - most visa exempt travelers now require an eTA. This process was introduced last year.

 

[scylla]

I want my boyfriend to apply for visitor visa to visit me in Canada. He is working in merchant navy on contract basis from last 7 years. He has strong travel history around the world. As you already got approved for visa, could you please advice any tip So,how can we make our file more strong to get approve.
Don't want to take a chance for rejection.

I would recommend that you read through the historical posts in this forum. They contain a great deal of information about what to include in a TRV application.

 

[Hanflyingsolo]

Yes - most visa exempt travelers now require an eTA. This process was introduced last year.

I read that you can get the ETA within minutes after applying, once I get my passport I’m hoping I can just apply for it right away and that will be everything done. Do you know what happens if you don’t have one? Someone said to me that you can do it at the airport.

 

[scylla]

I read that you can get the ETA within minutes after applying, once I get my passport I’m hoping I can just apply for it right away and that will be everything done. Do you know what happens if you don’t have one? Someone said to me that you can do it at the airport.

Don't listen to "someones". Too often they have no idea what they are talking about. Read the official info on the government web site instead:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html

1) You have to apply in advance. Processing normally takes very little time - however sometimes it can take longer. Apply as soon as you have your passport and definitely do not wait until the last minute.
2) You cannot apply at the airport. Again, you have to apply in advance.
3) You will be refused boarding by the airline without an ETA.

 

[Hanflyingsolo]

Don't listen to "someones". Too often they have no idea what they are talking about. Read the official info on the government web site instead:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html

1) You have to apply in advance. Processing normally takes very little time - however sometimes it can take longer. Apply as soon as you have your passport and definitely do not wait until the last minute.
2) You cannot apply at the airport. Again, you have to apply in advance.
3) You will be refused boarding by the airline without an ETA.

Thank you for your help it’s very much appreciated.