Visitor Record and Extensions

[Ryissa]

Hey all. I am from the US visiting my husband in Canada, and in November it was recommended by a border officer that I get a visitor record. I got some saying I could stay for 6 months and that ends in May. They said I could apply for an extension when it got close to expiring.

I'm really confused. I thought I wouldn't be able to stay more than 180 days per year as a visitor? Why did they even mention an extension? I can't even stay the full 6 months since I need to go back to the States every month for doctors and medicines since that's where my insurance coverage is (trust me it's cheaper to go back every month).

I thought the only way to stay more than 180 days was to either be a student or be employed in Canada. Can anyone help me set this straight?

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hey all. I am from the US visiting my husband in Canada, and in November it was recommended by a border officer that I get a visitor record. I got some saying I could stay for 6 months and that ends in May. They said I could apply for an extension when it got close to expiring.

I'm really confused. I thought I wouldn't be able to stay more than 180 days per year as a visitor? Why did they even mention an extension? I can't even stay the full 6 months since I need to go back to the States every month for doctors and medicines since that's where my insurance coverage is (trust me it's cheaper to go back every month).

I thought the only way to stay more than 180 days was to either be a student or be employed in Canada. Can anyone help me set this straight?

You apply for an extension to Vegreville, there is no law that you can only stay in Canada for 6 months. if CIC gives you an extension you can stay as long as the extension is for. Although, every time you leave Canada, your visitor status ends, and every entry is a new entry.

 

[Ryissa]

You apply for an extension to Vegreville, there is no law that you can only stay in Canada for 6 months. if CIC gives you an extension you can stay as long as the extension is for. Although, every time you leave Canada, your visitor status ends, and every entry is a new entry.

Thanks for the info. Since every entry is a new entry, does my VR still mean I can stay from that new entry until May? Or does it become invalid the first time I leave? That was another thing I wasn't sure about.

 

[Ryissa]

Bumping this up since my last question wasn't answered.

Does my visitor record I have ending in May instead end when I leave to go back to the US? Or does it mean it's valid from whenever I enter Canada again until May?

I absolutely have to go back to the US every month for medical care (trust me I have to) so I'm really confused here. I really need this clarified.