Visitor extension

[clearwater14]

I'm from the UK, and I and my partner will both be retired (we are in our 40's and 50's) by April. We have property in BC and want to travel there and use it as a base to travel throughout Canada and want to have a tourist visa longer than 6 months. We are in good health and as 2 retired police officers have clean criminal records and a monthly pension each. I have searched the website for a visa extension application as we want to apply before we go, and I keep getting a message back when doing the online eligability test that I don't need a visa and can stay for 6 months; even though I input that I want to stay over 6 months.
What numbered form do I (we) fill in as I am now beyond confused by the different forms, and can I apply beforehand as we don't want to wait 5 months then apply ?

 

[PMM]

Hi

I'm from the UK, and I and my partner will both be retired (we are in our 40's and 50's) by April. We have property in BC and want to travel there and use it as a base to travel throughout Canada and want to have a tourist visa longer than 6 months. We are in good health and as 2 retired police officers have clean criminal records and a monthly pension each. I have searched the website for a visa extension application as we want to apply before we go, and I keep getting a message back when doing the online eligability test that I don't need a visa and can stay for 6 months; even though I input that I want to stay over 6 months.
What numbered form do I (we) fill in as I am now beyond confused by the different forms, and can I apply beforehand as we don't want to wait 5 months then apply ?

1. You can request a stay longer than 6 months when you enter Canada. If CBSA doesn't give you longer than 6 months, then you will have to apply for an extension of your visitor status. Really no way around it.

 

[clearwater14]

Thank you for your response, should we just make sure we have documents such as criminal records checks, bank statements with proof of income etc when we walk up to the Immigration counter at YVR and prior to him/her stamping our passport, make the request there and then ?

 

[kriv]

Thank you for your response, should we just make sure we have documents such as criminal records checks, bank statements with proof of income etc when we walk up to the Immigration counter at YVR and prior to him/her stamping our passport, make the request there and then ?

I am posting to give you a better understanding how extension to stay in canada as a visitor works.

Seeking entry into canada: to enter into canada as a visitor you must demonstrate to the immigration officer that your intentions to visit canada are for the purpose of tourism/short stay/family and friends visit etc. and you intend to stay for a shorter period in canada. the immigration officer may only allow you to enter into canada for upto a duration of 6 months ( he can also stamp your passport for a less than 6 month entry). Extension to stay cannot be requested at point of entry.

Extension to stay/remain in canada:
this option is available for people on a visitor visa who wish to extend their stay. the extension to stay in canada can only be submitted once you are in canada and your visitor status is near to expire. you can apply online or make a paper application (online application is faster than paper applications). the application to extend your stay should be made at least 30 days before the expiry of your current status.
During the process if your visa expires you will be still allowed to stay until cic makes a decision on your application (it is called implied status). if you are approved to stay you will receive a paper document called "Visitor record", it will have an expiry date mentioning the date you are allowed to stay in canada (usually issued for the next 6 months). if rejected you have to leave the country.

To apply for an extension you have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
you can read more details at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

hope it helps

 

[MarkGuy]

I am posting to give you a better understanding how extension to stay in canada as a visitor works...

Extension to stay/remain in canada:
this option is available for people on a visitor visa who wish to extend their stay. the extension to stay in canada can only be submitted once you are in canada and your visitor status is near to expire. you can apply online or make a paper application (online application is faster than paper applications). the application to extend your stay should be made at least 30 days before the expiry of your current status.
During the process if your visa expires you will be still allowed to stay until cic makes a decision on your application (it is called implied status). if you are approved to stay you will receive a paper document called "Visitor record", it will have an expiry date mentioning the date you are allowed to stay in canada (usually issued for the next 6 months). if rejected you have to leave the country.

To apply for an extension you have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
you can read more details at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

hope it helps

Thanks Kriv that was helpful.

I have a related question about extending a visitor visa.
If one month prior to expiration of your visitor visa you get married to a Canadian, must you apply for an extension for your visitor visa or does your spouse's new spousal sponsorship application allow you to stay in Canada until a decision is made on it?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks Kriv that was helpful.

I have a related question about extending a visitor visa.
If one month prior to expiration of your visitor visa you get married to a Canadian, must you apply for an extension for your visitor visa or does your spouse's new spousal sponsorship application allow you to stay in Canada until a decision is made on it?

no, marrying a canadian nor submitting a pr application alone certainly does NOT allow a person to stay in canada without extnding their visit/visa. the visitor will need to extend their stay before their current stay ends, otherwise they will be out of status and will be subject to removal.

 

[MarkGuy]

no, marrying a canadian nor submitting a pr application alone certainly does NOT allow a person to stay in canada without extnding their visit/visa. the visitor will need to extend their stay before their current stay ends, otherwise they will be out of status and will be subject to removal.

OK thanks very much for that!

 

[MarkGuy]

... the visitor will need to extend their stay before their current stay ends, otherwise they will be out of status and will be subject to removal.

I have one more question about this.

Will the time the visitor applies to extend their visa have any bearing on a possible positive outcome?

Let's take a look at two examples:
1. A visitor applies to extend their TRV before they intend to get married.

2. A visitor gets married, has their spouse file sponsorship papers and then applies to extend their TRV.

Based on the history of members here, will case two situations usually have better approval chances than case one situations?

 

[rhcohen2014]

I have one more question about this.

Will the time the visitor applies to extend their visa have any bearing on a possible positive outcome?

Let's take a look at two examples:
1. A visitor applies to extend their TRV before they intend to get married.

2. A visitor gets married, has their spouse file sponsorship papers and then applies to extend their TRV.

Based on the history of members here, will case two situations usually have better approval chances than case one situations?

it doesn't matter. the fact that the PR application is being mentioned as the reason for the extension is what matters, CIC doesn't care if it's been submitted yetor not. PR applicants are rarely denied extensions. it is acceptable to tell cic you are getting married and intend to send in the applicaiton x month. including receipts for fees already paid will stregthen your application too.

 

[MarkGuy]

... the fact that the PR application is being mentioned as the reason for the extension is what matters, CIC doesn't care if it's been submitted yetor not. PR applicants are rarely denied extensions. it is acceptable to tell cic you are getting married and intend to send in the applicaiton x month. including receipts for fees already paid will stregthen your application too.

OK great, that's very important for me to know.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

the immigration officer may only allow you to enter into canada for upto a duration of 6 months ( he can also stamp your passport for a less than 6 month entry). Extension to stay cannot be requested at point of entry.

Incorrect. A CBSA officer can grant a visitor record upon entry for longer than 6 months.

1. A visitor applies to extend their TRV before they intend to get married.

2. A visitor gets married, has their spouse file sponsorship papers and then applies to extend their TRV.

To clarify, a TRV is merely an entry visa that allows a person to enter Canada; it does not give status in Canada and is not extendable. A visitor in Canada needs to extend their visitor status.

 

[MarkGuy]

To clarify, a TRV is merely an entry visa that allows a person to enter Canada; it does not give status in Canada and is not extendable. A visitor in Canada needs to extend their visitor status.

Thanks very much for that canuck_in_uk.
I wasn't aware of that distinction.