Extending eTA Visitor Visa whilst awaiting PR decision

[andrewnolan]

Some one please help.

I am currently visiting Canada (From UK) and staying with my Canadian -citizen- uncle. I traveled with eTA visa, however the 6 months are running out and I need to extend my Visa.

I cannot download or preview IMM5708 & IMM5257 forms on the CiC website. Tried on PC , Mac different networks, multiple computers all of which are running latest updates.

Cannot get any answer/help from CiC phone number as I CONSISTENTLY get the message "we are experiencing a high call volume" Tried calling for days.

My wife is also here and has a 2yr work Visa. She has been invited to apply for Permanent Residency. I don't know how this this takes or what the next steps are after receiving an Invitation to Apply for PR, but I need to get these forms filled in.

Any input is much appreciated.

 

[Rob_TO]

Some one please help.

I am currently visiting Canada (From UK) and staying with my Canadian -citizen- uncle. I traveled with eTA visa, however the 6 months are running out and I need to extend my Visa.

I cannot download or preview IMM5708 & IMM5257 forms on the CiC website. Tried on PC , Mac different networks, multiple computers all of which are running latest updates.

Cannot get any answer/help from CiC phone number as I CONSISTENTLY get the message "we are experiencing a high call volume" Tried calling for days.

My wife is also here and has a 2yr work Visa. She has been invited to apply for Permanent Residency. I don't know how this this takes or what the next steps are after receiving an Invitation to Apply for PR, but I need to get these forms filled in.

Any input is much appreciated.

An eTA is not a visa, they are 2 completely separate things. An eTA is simply an authorization that lets you board a plane to Canada. The eTA itself should be valid for I think 5 years, but again all this has to do with is boarding planes to Canada.

Since you are a UK citizen, you are visa-exempt to Canada. You are here on a 6-month visitor status, so that is what you need to extend now. You are not applying for a visa.

You can find the forms required here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend/visa.asp
I think there is an entirely online option for you to apply to extend your status. Make sure you get the app submitted before your current status runs out. While you are waiting for the response, you are on implied status until you get the result.
If you can't see the PDF files on your web browser, then try a different web browser (I found I could see them using Explorer, but not Chrome), or download the PDF files to your computer and open the files directly with Adobe or Foxit.

Even if your wife applies for PR and includes you in her app, you still need to apply to extend your status to stay here legally. Although since she's here on a work visa, you should check if you also qualify for an OWP (depends on the type of work she does).

 

[andrewnolan]

Thanks for your help.

Sure, I understand my terminology is incorrect with typing Visa after eTA...apologies for any confusion.

The link you included is correct and the one I am using. I have completed most and have just two left to complete but they do not seem to open using Foxit or Adobe...which I was surprised at.

I have tried multiple browsers, platforms, devices to open these files. May I confirm you have opened them today using Explorer browser?

Your help is really appreciated - a very sincere thank you.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for your help.

Sure, I understand my terminology is incorrect with typing Visa after eTA...apologies for any confusion.

The link you included is correct and the one I am using. I have completed most and have just two left to complete but they do not seem to open using Foxit or Adobe...which I was surprised at.

I have tried multiple browsers, platforms, devices to open these files. May I confirm you have opened them today using Explorer browser?

Your help is really appreciated - a very sincere thank you.

I just checked. Doesn't open with Chrome, but opened fine with Explorer. Also opened fine when I downloaded the file to my desktop and opened offline with Adobe.

Again though, I would check first if you're eligible for an OWP through your wife's status here, instead of just visitor status. Check here if your wife's current work permit makes you eligible: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=177&top=17