'allowed to leave canada'....when can i return?

[chazmichaels]

Hi,
I recently got denied entry to Canada as a visitor, and was given the form 'allowed to leave canada' and voluntarily withdraw my application to enter canada as a visitor by the border officer.  Note, this was not the same as a deportation, ie i was not banned from canada for any period of time, I don't have a criminal record etc.

The reason I was denied was that I had been in canada for 6 months, went down to the US for a couple of days and attempted to re-enter canada.  The reason for returning is that while I was in canada as a visitor, I applied for a working holiday visa (to canadian high commision in UK) and this was still in processing.  I provided the border officer with email evidence and confirmation that my application was recieved and it would take 8 weeks to process (at the time there was about 4 weeks of the 8 weeks processing time remaining), but this was not enough to allow entry.  I also showed a bank statement as proof of funds that i could support myself etc.

I'm assuming that after getting denied entry, this will be seen when my work visa is being processed and not look too good!  If i'm denied this work permit, when would I be able to enter canada again as a visitor?

I've recieved conflicting information - CIC canada says there's no set period of time you have to leave canada before entering again as a tourist, however the border officer said you can only stay in canada 6 months in a one year period.  An immigration lawyer also advised '3-6 months' before entering, so nothing definitive.

any ideas appreciated!
thanks

[starlord]

I was given and signed the same form 'allowed to leave Canada and withdraw my application to enter' thing.

This was because I overstayed my visitor permit (by 9 months!) -- I wasn't deported nor given any specific time frame, I wasn't barred from entering or given any orders to stay out, I guess I was lucky they didn't arrest me on the spot.

Now simply they mentioned that I would need to have proof of established residency in the US (or outside of Canada) and could show proof of ties to that country (if I recall..) being financially able to support myself before permitted to enter the country -- a bank statement, government-issued ID card, utility bill, or documentation showing that I lived somewhere and had ties to return seemed to be all that was required.

So now after a few months of being down here I have that, a U.S. checking account, checks, debit card, bank and credit card statements, a state-issued driver's license. I just wonder what a reasonable amount of time would be before they would let me in, and how much cash they expect you to need to live on for the 6 months of your permit. My wife remains in Canada and is trying to gather similar documentation so she can come down to visit me (they barred her from entering USA because of the general US border patrol assumption everyone wants to immigrate illegally, so if they can't establish ties to Canada, they don't let you cross the border).