Canadian visitor record question, stuck in Canada

[Heavenlee 0]

Hi, I came to visit my fiancé in Canada back In February before the borders closed, and I was supposed to leave back in April but I got stuck due to only having a land passport (and i didnt drive myself here) and the borders are closed. I wanted to apply for a visitor record to extend my stay past 6 months but we arent sure how long we can extend for? I wanted to extend for the maximum time just incase the borders aren’t open anytime soon. Does anyone know how long you can extend your stay in Canada as an American visitor? We can’t find anything about it online and we can’t get ahold of anyone due to them being swamped during this pandemic. I plan on leaving as soon as it is safe to go back home and borders open. 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

You are a US citizen in Canada? You aren’t banned from coming back to the US.. 

[designguy 1,179]

51 minutes ago, Heavenlee said:

borders aren’t open anytime soon

they were never closed. you can cross right now

[geowrian 22,337]

* Moved to Canada regional forum. The question is about Canadian immigration, not US immigration. *

[Heavenlee 0]

34 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

You are a US citizen in Canada? You aren’t banned from coming back to the US.. 

I want to apply to extend my stay, I know Im not banned, but going back is complicated due to no busses or anything going through the border and I only have a land passport. I also am wanting to spend the pandemic here because back home things are not so good. 

[designguy 1,179]

55 minutes ago, Heavenlee said:

want to apply to extend my stay, I know Im not banned, but going back is complicated due to no busses or anything going through the border and I only have a land passport. I also am wanting to spend the pandemic here because back home things are not so good. 

What day exactly did you enter Canada? You must apply for the VR PRIOR  to your 6 month allowance expiring, and ideally at least 30 days prior to that end. If not you are now out of status and will need to leave 

Edited July 18, 2020 by designguy

[JacobP 185]

15 minutes ago, designguy said:

What day exactly did you enter Canada? You must apply for the VR PRIOR  to your 6 month allowance expiring, and ideally at least 30 days prior to that end. If not you are now out of status and will need to leave 

To be fair, it hasn't exactly been 6 months since February 1st yet, but we're nearing 30 days until the last moment of that period.

 

You're going to need to seriously consider leaving Canada by any means necessary if you can't extend your stay somehow, because you're putting your ability to even visit Canada in the future at risk now. The border isn't "closed" to citizens and they never were. You could possibly have someone drive you to the border and walk across. You could contact a local US embassy and ask if it's possible to obtain a full or emergency passport if you really need to fly (no guarantees they'll be able to give one though).

 

 

[Lemonslice 4,859]

Are you planning to immigrate to Canada?

[Heavenlee 0]

17 minutes ago, JacobP said:

To be fair, it hasn't exactly been 6 months since February 1st yet, but we're nearing 30 days until the last moment of that period.

 

You're going to need to seriously consider leaving Canada by any means necessary if you can't extend your stay somehow, because you're putting your ability to even visit Canada in the future at risk now. The border isn't "closed" to citizens and they never were. You could possibly have someone drive you to the border and walk across. You could contact a local US embassy and ask if it's possible to obtain a full or emergency passport if you really need to fly (no guarantees they'll be able to give one though).

 

 

I can extend my stay, I just need to apply (lots of people are extending their stays due to covid) I was only asking if anyone knew how long I can extend up to. I arrived Feb 21st and plan on applying 30 days before my stay expires. 

[JacobP 185]

6 minutes ago, Heavenlee said:

I can extend my stay, I just need to apply (lots of people are extending their stays due to covid) I was only asking if anyone knew how long I can extend up to. I arrived Feb 21st and plan on applying 30 days before my stay expires. 

According to Canada themselves

Quote

If the applicant is eligible for restoration, the officer will issue a visitor record outlining the conditions of the restoration, including the length of stay. The visitor record issued following an in-Canada application typically includes an extension or restoration of 6 months, but this may vary from case to case.

So typically 6 months more. I wouldn't assume they'll go any higher in your case.

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

I actually sort of dealt with this issue about a decade ago but I had an outland PR app processing and waiting inside Canada. I actually called the Fort Erie CBSA line and spoke to a very decent officer, explained my situation, that I had a daughter coming, PR app, and that I had all the documentation for visitor extension/record including a litany of sponsors and the paperwork for an extension, but that I didn't think I had the time to file given processing times. The officer basically said I should flagpole and that if I come to him with the documentation I said I had he'd give me a year extension "easily", awaiting PR confirmation.. another year after that if somehow still waiting. Funny enough, PR approval was less than two weeks later after the Niagara extension trip facilitating the necessary drive to Buffalo to pick it (PR visa) up (leaving Canada) and drive right back in to do the landing. 

 

The mentality with the US CBP isn't so friendly (given the much worse incidence of illegal immigration) which is why apprehension to this idea is understandable, but if you are in fact doing things legally with good intent and have your ducks in a row (with all the proper stuff for extending on you), this might still be an avenue for consideration.

Edited July 19, 2020 by Burnt Reynolds

[SDNOMAD 17]

Hi there this process is very easy you litteraly apply on the Canada.ca website you must do it 30 days in advance it cost $100CAD my wife did it not because she was stuck but so we can continue to be together while waiting for my interview etc..it gives you an additional 6 months allowing to stay in Canada as a visitor for up to 1 year. The US actually offers the exact same thing for future reference if your husband is in the states and still playing this long waiting game.