Visitor Visa Q's

[frenger]

It seem's I'm a bit late to apply for the course I wanted at the school I wanted, so I have to wait til 2008. SO, I'm thinking of other options now.
The Visitor Visa!

How long can you get a visitor visa for?
If I got one could I extend it?
Can you get one for a 12month?
And can you go to Canada for 3 months before applying (apply from inside Canada?)

When it expires, are you allowed to apply for a study permit? Or common law?
Has anyone done any of these?

Again thanks if you can help me out at all!

[Tsveta]

If you are a British citizen you don’t need a visitors visa, however if you do need a visa they are usually issued for a period of 6 months and you can extend it afterwards. Apply for renewal BEFORE your visa expires: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visitor.html
Once again for more info go to CIC web site: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html
It’s all in there :)

Good luck

[kuchemishka]

Hi,

I have invited my parents to visit me in Canada and their visitor visas were valid for 6 months. For this period you can enter Canada, it also depends if it's a single entry or multiple entry visa. I guess if you want stay more than 6 months you can always apply for extension but this should be done before your visa expires. I guess it is a simple procedure. Meanwhile if you want to study you can apply for change of status. I don’t know what documents they may need but I guess some papers from the University…

When do you want to come to Canada?

[frenger]

I must admit, I'm a tad confused.
I read on the CIC link I was sent, that as British resident, I don't need a visitor visa. However I am unable to find out how long I am allowed to stay for. Does it depend on the amount of money I have to support myself? And if I were to extend my stay, is there a good success rate to obtain an extra 6 months??

I'd like to come to Canada asap, but realistically, I can't afford it til the middle to end of 2007. I want to visit so that I can live with someone I met last year. We want to give things a go, and if they work out after a year we'd consider the common law route. However, what I'm finding hard is figuring out a way to get to Canada.

I'm looking into student status - nothing is ever straight forward. The course I wanted to take is fully booked, so I may have to wait til september 2008!!!

What do you say??

[Tsveta]

You can apply for a Study Permit before you come to Canada because it has simple advantages. You will be able to work part-time and you can apply for renewal from within Canada. For more info how exactly to do that follow this link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/permit-who.html

Are there any other universities that have classes starting earlier?

[frenger]

Well I'm still looking into classes I want to take as opposed to taking for the convenience of living together. That's why I'm gravitating more towards moving there as a visitor for 6 months. We discussed it that if we felt things were good between us during that time we'd marry. I think it would work. We could then apply for my PR and extend my stay for the time it takes my papers to be processed. I'm guessing it's as straight forward as that? Am I right?

[Tsveta]

Well I'm still looking into classes I want to take as opposed to taking for the convenience of living together. That's why I'm gravitating more towards moving there as a visitor for 6 months. We discussed it that if we felt things were good between us during that time we'd marry. I think it would work. We could then apply for my PR and extend my stay for the time it takes my papers to be processed. I'm guessing it's as straight forward as that? Am I right?

That's fare. It will be easier for both of you.

[frenger]

Well it will be a gamble, just like it would be for any married couple.
I'm interested in knowing the ins and outs of what will be required of us. There's a lot to look into.
The CIC website seems pretty basic, and I have a lot of questions it doesn't ever seem to answer.

[Tsveta]

Hi frenger,

I wish you luck!
If you have more questions that I can help you with, please ask :)

[frenger]

Thanks for being so helpful Tsveta, I really appreciate this!
I suppose my questions are pretty basic, and I'm just thinking of the practical side of it all. But was hoping you'd know how long it takes from the time we send off our application until the time I can work, and the time I am an official resident?

Does my girlfriend (sponsor) have to have an income? Would there be a minimum income? She is currently about to finish her degree and start full time work. I wouldn't technically need her financial support, as in a few months I'd have enough saved to support myself.

Do many couples get declined?
I hear of so many fakers, that this could hinder our chances?

What is the correct order to do things? I was thinking -
Move there as a visitor.
Open joint bank account (can i do that as a visitor?)
Get a place together.
Marry (fingers crossed)
Send off application.
Wait . . .
Is that about it?

Do you know any hints or tips that can help speed things, help us avoid trouble, make things go more smoothly, or general advice you wish to share?

PS. I had a one year working holiday visa with Bunac. I recently went for 2 weeks to visit, and now I'll be going back asking for visitor status at the border. Will that all go ok? Or do I just go through customs just like any tourist would?

[Tsveta]

Hi frenger,
It all depends on how busy they are. The best think to do is to call them and they can tell you an average time for processing of such applications. I can’t give you any time frame.

If you get married in Canada, the procedure will be simpler. You just apply for PR and after that for citizenship. Meanwhile you will be able to legally work in Canada. This is a quote form the CIC web site: "There is no provision for fiancé(e)s in Canada’s immigration legislation. If you are the fiancé(e) of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must marry before the immigration process takes place."
As for the bank account you can call any bank in Canada and they will be able to help you. Here is a link to the 5 major banks Royal Bank of Canada (http://www.canadabanks.net/default.aspx?article=Royal+Bank+of+Canada), CIBC (http://www.canadabanks.net/default.aspx?article=CIBC), TD Canada Trust (http://www.canadabanks.net/default.aspx?article=TD+Canada+Trust), Bank of Motreal (http://www.canadabanks.net/default.aspx?article=Bank+of+Montreal)and ScotiaBank (http://www.canadabanks.net/default.aspx?article=Scotiabank).

As for the BUNAC visa, I really don't know...is it multiple entries? You can ask the immigrations. Or even better call the embassy.

[frenger]

Calling the embassy here just gets you an automated response - with hardly any different information to that outlined on the CIC site. I personally need more indepth answers to more individual questions.

I'll definately try and find out my bank questions from the links you've sent me and get my girlfriend to call the CIC call centre for which is very helpful as you actually get to speak to someone!

Oh, do I have to get medical and police/fbi checks? How do I go about that? Is that something I do before I leave for Canada?

Do you know how much the whole process will cost (ignoring living and rent etc)?

[Tsveta]

Here is a list of all the fees the government charges:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/fees.html

[Tsveta]

Hi Frenger,
There is a posting on our forum that I think may be helpful in your situation:
http://jobforum.ca/showthread.php?t=1017
We have never worked with that company but you can give it a shot.