Wife has been accepted as a sponsor, questions about leaving Canada

[OrangeTornado]

Hello! My wife is Canadian and I am from the US. Just a couple weeks ago she was accepted as my sponsor, I've been living in Canada as a visitor these past few months while we get everything done.

My question is do I HAVE to leave Canada within 6 months of my last entering? I know this seems like a stupid question but googling it only results in the reverse question (If you're allowed to leave). I have neither desire nor need to leave Canada at the moment, It would honestly just be a waste of time.

The first time I entered I was given a rather official looking paper saying that if I didn't leave in 6 months at a specific date I would have a warrant for my arrest. This last time, I told the agent we had just submitted our paperwork (they got returned for an error a few weeks after, hence the delay) he simply stamped my passport book with the current date(without writing on it), and told me that I was good to go.

I understand it is possible to apply to extend my stay via the myCIC portal, is this what I need to do? Or am I actually fine because I was not told a date to leave and am in the process of immigrating. I know its a pipe-dream but I want to be sure before dropping $100 on the extend stay paperwork.

And I guess my last question is, is 2 months even enough time for that to go though??

Thanks

 

[scylla]

Can you clarify if you applied inland or outland - and if inland, if you included an OWP with your application? Based on what you've written above, it sounds like you applied outland. In that case you will need to apply to extend your visit to Canada once you are close to the six month mark (make sure the application reaches CIC before the six months is up). The stamp means you were allowed in for six months - it certainly doesn't mean you can stay indefinitely.

 

[OrangeTornado]

Can you clarify if you applied inland or outland - and if inland, if you included an OWP with your application? Based on what you've written above, it sounds like you applied outland. In that case you will need to apply to extend your visit to Canada once you are close to the six month mark (make sure the application reaches CIC before the six months is up). The stamp means you were allowed in for six months - it certainly doesn't mean you can stay indefinitely.

I applied Inland