Worried about over-staying visitor visa.

[Npops]

Hey all,

So it's taken my husband and I a little longer to collect all the necessary documentation, and we're hoping to get it sent off next week. I have a few questions if anyone could help me out.

I arrived in Canada on March 10th, and so my 6-month stay on my visitor visa is up on September 10th (just under 12 weeks away). Will I need to call someone to extend my visitor visa if I haven't heard back from CIC about the application? Or will I automatically have a right to remain whilst the application process is in progress (as soon as it's been sent)? I guess i'm afraid of over-staying my 6 month visitor visa and getting in trouble for it.

Another question is - with the online forms, including the checklist etc. Should I print them off blank and fill them in by hand, or should I fill them in on the computer and print them out completed? I'm assuming the signatures need to be done by hand, i'm just curious if the rest needs to be or not.

Thanks in advance!

 

[scylla]

If you are applying inland and including an OWP, you will get implied status provided the app is received by IRCC before your six month visit is up - which means you can remain in Canada under implied status. To be safe, I would recommend applying to extend your visitor status (in addition to applying for PR). That way if your PR application is returned as incomplete (this does happen to some people), you still have status and can resubmit without worrying about being out of status.

 

[Hurlabrick]

Another question is - with the online forms, including the checklist etc. Should I print them off blank and fill them in by hand, or should I fill them in on the computer and print them out completed? I'm assuming the signatures need to be done by hand, i'm just curious if the rest needs to be or not.

Definitely download and complete on a computer, NOT by hand. Some of the forms validate and one of them must be completed on a computer as it generates the required barcode pages when you validate it. Then yes, print them off once complete and validated and hand sign where required.

 

[Npops]

Thanks for the quick responses!

@scylla - So I went over to the Canadian government website to see about extending my visitor status ( https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay/apply.html ), and after filling out their questionnaire to determine eligibility it told me to apply for sponsorship via family-class. So it just led me back to where i'm at already and not to extending my visitor visa. Am I looking in the wrong place, or is there a number I can call or something? Thanks.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the quick responses!

@scylla - So I went over to the Canadian government website to see about extending my visitor status ( https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay/apply.html ), and after filling out their questionnaire to determine eligibility it told me to apply for sponsorship via family-class. So it just led me back to where i'm at already and not to extending my visitor visa. Am I looking in the wrong place, or is there a number I can call or something? Thanks.

Answer the questionnaire as if you are a visitor who wants to stay an additional six months - not as someone who is applying for PR.

 

[Npops]

Answer the questionnaire as if you are a visitor who wants to stay an additional six months - not as someone who is applying for PR.

Got it, thanks a bunch!

 

[Npops]

So I’ve uploaded all the necessary documents for the extension of my visitor visa, although I’m a little confused.

Should I fill out the application as if I just want to continue my visit, or should I explain in the application that I’ll be applying for spousal sponsorship?
Essentially I’m asking whether or not I lie on the application to extend my visitor visa.

Also, should I apply for the extension first and submit my sponsorship application after?

Thanks in advance!