When do we apply for a visitor visa extension?

[mc1234]

My SO is here with me in Canada as we wait out our application for PR. He has already been here for two and a half months and his status will expire in August. We would like him to wait out the entire process here.. he has a multiple entry visa. Is it better for him to exit the country and the come back in a few weeks, or should we apply for the extension? If so, when can we apply for it and what should we say?

Thanks

 

[RobsLuv]

No reason to leave the country to get an extension - in fact, it's not recommended because they don't have to let him back in once his current status expires. A multiple entry visa allows him to come and go while it's valid - but once it expires, it's done and they might not issue another one - especially because he is non-visa-exempt and has applied for permanent status. He can no longer demonstrate that he intends to remain temporarily.

So, best plan is to submit an application to extend his stay by mail from within Canada. (I don't recommend using the online form because you can't attach any proofs, and several people have had their extensions refused because of no supporting docs). Be sure that you send it with tracking and delivery confirmation, and it needs to be received at CPC-Vegreville before his current status document expires. As long as it gets to them before his status expires, he has "implied status" to remain in Canada (even after his original status expires) until he's notified of the extension decision. Typically, with proof of your qualifying relationship, financial support and the PR ap in process, extensions of this sort are approved. Please keep in mind that he cannot apply to change the conditions of his stay - he can only extend his current status. Keep doing this for as long as is needed, anytime his status is due to expire, until he has been approved for PR and "landed".

 

[mc1234]

No reason to leave the country to get an extension - in fact, it's not recommended because they don't have to let him back in once his current status expires. A multiple entry visa allows him to come and go while it's valid - but once it expires, it's done and they might not issue another one - especially because he is non-visa-exempt and has applied for permanent status. He can no longer demonstrate that he intends to remain temporarily.

So, best plan is that submit an application to extend his stay by mail from within Canada. (I don't recommend using the online form because you can't attach any proofs, and several people have had their extensions refused because of no supporting docs). Be sure that you send it with tracking and delivery confirmation, and it needs to be received at CPC-Vegreville before his current status document expires. As long as it gets to them before his status expires, he has "implied status" to remain in Canada (even after his original status expires) until he's notified of the extension decision. Typically, with proof of your qualifying relationship, financial support and the PR ap in process, extensions of this sort are approved. Please keep in mind that he cannot apply to change the conditions of his stay - he can only extend his current status.

Thanks for the info. For clarification, his 6 months visitor visa status is expiring, not his multiple entry visa (he still has another 3 years left). I think the extension is our best bet. So I could send it in within the next month then?

 

[RobsLuv]

Yep, you want it there before his six months status expires.

 

[Belinasha]

As Robsluv said, mailing is the best option. We sent our extension by UPS 4 days before his 6 months was to expire. We sent it by UPS (you get a tracking number and confirmation it has been received) and as long as they receive it to Vegreville before the date his status expires, you're all good. The bonus with mailing is that it takes longer for them to process so we actually got an extra month and a bit of implied status. We requested a one year visitor's visa and put on the form that we had a PR application submitted to Mississauga and that my husband wanted to continue to visit while the application is being processed. We included a copy of our receipt for PR fees paid, a copy of our joint bank account showing X amount of funds, a copy of our marriage certificate and I wrote a letter stating that I will be able to support my husband for the duration of his visitor's visa. We also included any documents that they request to be sent. Good luck and don't worry too much. I was stressed out about the whole visitor's extension thing and so far, it's been the least stressful part of this whole process.

 

[RobsLuv]

Actually you don't end up with extra time because you wait until the last to submit the extension - the new status document will expire however many months they give you after the expiration date of the old document. For example, say status expires June 30, 2012 - you submit the extension so it's received by them on June 28. It takes them 100 days to process, so you don't hear back until sometime in October but, assuming it's approved and issued for a year, it will be valid only until June 30, 2013 - not until Oct 2013.

 

[mc1234]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! So what is the longest someone can ask for an extension for?

 

[Belinasha]

Ours was received by Vegreville on March 6, 2012 with his 6 months expiring March 11, 2012. When we got his extension back, the issue date was April 11, 2012 and is good until April 10th, 2013.

 

[mc1234]

Ours was received by Vegreville on March 6, 2012 with his 6 months expiring March 11, 2012. When we got his extension back, the issue date was April 11, 2012 and is good until April 10th, 2013.

Great, thanks for all your info. I am going to submit his at the end of next month! I hope they approve it.

 

[RobsLuv]

Typically they will re-issue valid for the same period of time the original permit was valid, but with a PR ap in process, you could ask for a year - but not more than that.

 

[NYQUE]

Hello all,

I just wanted to share my personal experience, I see no reason why not to submit an application to extend staying online, I did it myself (I was the person being sponsored) you have the option of paying online, I scanned all supporting documentation and I had the ability to attach this documentation (bank statements, credit card statements, etc.) as some people have indicated it, make sure you can get the time you need.

I submitted my application a month before my status as visitor expired, I still had a valid TRV but the 6 month mark was about to expire, I received the visitor record a month later, I guess to them as you can show you have enough funds or means of support they will issue an extension.

I will not recommend to exit just to reset the clock, I believe they can issue extensions for years as long as the visitor status is respected.

Good luck.