6 month uk visitor wanting to return soon

[nanapush]

Does anyone know what restrictions there are on returning for a further 6 months (or less) after a full 6 month visit. As a UK citizen I don't need a visa but am unclear what the restrictions are for re entry. I believe a return ticket is always a requirement but are there any other requirements and do we always have to return to UK or could we cross the US border for a while instead?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Leon]

I've heard their guidelines are that you should not be living in Canada more than 6 months a year on a visit visa but you can apply to extend it. If you just leave and go back there, it would be up to the officer if they let you in again and for how long.

 

[nanapush]

I had been told that as long as you have a permanent address in the UK leaving for as little as a month, after a 6 month stay, it is OK to return as it is not an extension but a new visit. It's very hard to know what to believe and I want to do the right thing so as not to jeopardise my chances of sponsored immigration.I would appreciate some informed opinion on this.

 

[Leon]

Your best bet for informed opinion is contact CIC call centre if you are currently in Canada or the embassy if you are not.

 

[ghiaskhan]

Tere are no restriction as to how many times you enter Canada.But you must leave before a leave to enter is expired. If you are having frequent visits without much of a gap, you may be questioned by an immigration officer at the port of entry,as to reasons of your frequent visits.
If the officer gets satisfied by your answers, he will let you in again,but if you happend to be unlucky to face a hard man/woman, be ready to face him/her. good luck.I am a Brit too, and had no difficulty to enter/re-enter canada, during my frequent visits to USA +Canada.

 

[nanapush]

Thanks so much ghiaskhan, your reply was really helpful. We have a son and a daughter in Canada,our son about to become a resident and our daughter married to a Canadian with whom she has an 18 month old daughter and another baby on the way. We have spent 5 and 6 months with them over each of the last 2 years and intend to do the same next year but also to return for a second visit next year. We have a sponsored application in at the moment which is not likely to be finalised for 2 or more years but want to spend as much time as possible in Canada without jeopardising our immigration chances. What you seem to confirm for us is that as long as we have a good reason for being there and return after the 6 month stay we are OK. Would an extended stay in the US be something we could do before re-entry or would we need to return to the UK?

 

[ghiaskhan]

Yes leaving Canada before expiry of leave to enter must be excercised. "Ensure you donot overstay in anyway" You may go to USA and reurn after spending sometime there.Its not esssential to return to UK. Good luck and enjoy your trip with the kids.

 

[nanapush]

Thanks so much ghiaskhan, once again your response was very helpful.We will indeed enjoy our time as always in beautiful BC.

 

[ghiaskhan]

good luck

 

[Leon]

It is better to get your information from Canadian authorities directly. The proper procedure for a visit longer than 6 months is to apply for a visit visa and apply to extend it if you want to stay longer. As for leaving and trying to get more time coming back right away, border control always has the right to refuse you entry. Should they decide that you are at this point "living" in Canada without proper documentation, they can refuse you entry and that will not be much fun for you for the continuation of that particular trip as well as it can affect your visits to Canada in the future.

It is far better for you to contact CIC and ask about proper procedure. If you are in Canada, the number is 1 888 242‑2100 and you have to go through about 2 menus before you can press 0 to get an operator. If you are not in Canada, ask the Canadian embassy. Whatever they tell you, write down the name of the person you talk to so you can refer to that information later. It has far more weight when you are standing in front of the border control to be able to say that so-and-so at the Canadian embassy in London or so-and-so at the CIC call centre told me that this is ok than telling them that somebody I met on the internet told me it is ok.