Help me understand the facts as a US citizen visiting Canada.
"6 months" -- this what most of us understand at face value for how long we're allowed to stay.
But at the technical level, how long is a US citizen allowed to visit Canada in a calendar year?
This differs than the US's immigration laws for Canadian visitors, which is out of the calendar year:
It's the "per calendar year" that always confuses me when it comes to visiting Canada from the US.
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My understanding is: at the end of the day, they don't want you staying in Canada more often than you're staying in your home country. It's all about where are you residing permanently -- as a visitor in Canada, or in your home country? If you're in Canada as a visitor for more than 6 months, you're primarily in Canada as a visitor -- that's a no no.
So yes, technically in a calendar year, you can legally visit Canada more than 6 months, but not all at once without an extension, and always at the discretion of the border security officer.
A few cases:
- Your first visit should go normal, aside from having a good reason to visit for 3 months.
- Your second visit should go smoothly, but at this point you'll be reaching 6 months within the year. The border security officer may be inclined to give you a Visitor Record to ensure you're not a visitor in Canada primarily for the year.
- Your third visit will now be after you've spent 6 months in Canada in a year. Similar to above, you may have more scrutiny and likely to receive a Visitor Record, since you will now be in Canada as a visitor primarily within a year.
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Is my understanding on the right track?
"6 months" -- this what most of us understand at face value for how long we're allowed to stay.
But at the technical level, how long is a US citizen allowed to visit Canada in a calendar year?
- CIC Help Center: How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?
This differs than the US's immigration laws for Canadian visitors, which is out of the calendar year:
- CBC: How long can Canadians stay in the US?
It's the "per calendar year" that always confuses me when it comes to visiting Canada from the US.
---
My understanding is: at the end of the day, they don't want you staying in Canada more often than you're staying in your home country. It's all about where are you residing permanently -- as a visitor in Canada, or in your home country? If you're in Canada as a visitor for more than 6 months, you're primarily in Canada as a visitor -- that's a no no.
So yes, technically in a calendar year, you can legally visit Canada more than 6 months, but not all at once without an extension, and always at the discretion of the border security officer.
A few cases:
Technically no. But you could achieve this by visiting under 6 months, and then filing to extend your stay while in Canada.
Yes, however, since you already spent 6 months, the border security officer is going to be weary now that you'll now primarily be visiting Canada for the year. You may receive a Visitor Record, or be denied entry.
Yes, but similar to above.
- Your first visit should go normal, aside from having a good reason to visit for 3 months.
- Your second visit should go smoothly, but at this point you'll be reaching 6 months within the year. The border security officer may be inclined to give you a Visitor Record to ensure you're not a visitor in Canada primarily for the year.
- Your third visit will now be after you've spent 6 months in Canada in a year. Similar to above, you may have more scrutiny and likely to receive a Visitor Record, since you will now be in Canada as a visitor primarily within a year.
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Is my understanding on the right track?
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