from worker to visitor

[pfse]

Hi Guys,

I really need your expert opinion about my situation.
I have applied for BOWP but from some reasons I explained here my application might be refused (hope it won't happen but I want to be prepared), so I will need to apply for extension as visitor (I'm from visa-exempt country). So I have few questions:
1. I will have limited time to apply for visitor extension. What if I apply in less than 30 days before wp expiration as required?
2. What is a good reason to ask for visitor extension? I heard that if I mention PR application, than it can be refused.
3. Do I still need to provide a proof that I will exit the country after visa expiration (even if I already in Canada)? If so what would be a good proof?
4. Would it make a difference if I'll ask for 6 months extension or 1 year extension? How much funds I need to show?

I would really appreciate to get your opinion (especially from people who already applied for visitor extension from inside Canada).

Thanks.

 

[ZingyDNA]

If you're visa exempt, you'll get 6 months as visitor by just leaving and coming back, right?
I don't know how to get more than 6 months, though..

 

[pfse]

If you're visa exempt, you'll get 6 months as visitor by just leaving and coming back, right?
I don't know how to get more than 6 months, though..

Do I need to fly out of the country and then get back? I don't want to exit the country.
Also, I'm not sure they will grant me permission to stay for 6 months at the point of entry.

 

[ZingyDNA]

Do I need to fly out of the country and then get back? I don't want to exit the country.
Also, I'm not sure they will grant me permission to stay for 6 months at the point of entry.

Well, that's what being visa-exempt means: you don't need a visa to visit. You'll have to leave the country as the visitor status is granted at the port of entry when you come back. They will give you 6 months of stay as visitor, ie can't work or go to school. I have folks come to visit me like that, except they applied for a visitor visa as they are not visa exempt..

So you have to make sure you are really visa exempt first

 

[pfse]

Unfortunately, AFAIK, visa exemption does not guaranty that I will be allowed entry to the country. I still need to show an immigration officer that I satisfy all other requirements to enter Canada (a.e. funds, proof of exit, etc). And even then it's not guarantied that I will be approved for 6 months, the officer can limit my stay just for 1 month (or less) by stamping my passport.

 

[ZingyDNA]

Unfortunately, AFAIK, visa exemption does not guaranty that I will be allowed entry to the country. I still need to show an immigration officer that I satisfy all other requirements to enter Canada (a.e. funds, proof of exit, etc). And even then it's not guarantied that I will be approved for 6 months, the officer can limit my stay just for 1 month (or less) by stamping my passport.

When my folks visited me, at the port of entry they were asked the reason and duration of visit. And for the visa application they provided proof of funds, so it makes sense that you have to provide these even without the visa application. I guess it's easy for them as they said they wanted to visit me for 6 months, but for you, you can't say "I just wanna spend 6 months waiting for my PR"..

 

[canuck_in_uk]

It is generally accepted to be safer to apply online for an extension than to make a run to the border.

 

[ZingyDNA]

It is generally accepted to be safer to apply online for an extension than to make a run to the border.

You mean extend his current work permit, right? He can't have a visitor visa to extend and he said he might have problems getting a BOWP.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

You mean extend his current work permit, right? He can't have a visitor visa to extend and he said he might have problems getting a BOWP.

No. He would need to apply to change conditions and extend his stay as visitor, as found here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visitor.asp. This will change his status from worker to visitor and extend his stay in Canada.

 

[jes_ON]

1. I will have limited time to apply for visitor extension. What if I apply in less than 30 days before wp expiration as required?

Wait until you hear about the BOWP application, hopefully it will be accepted. If it is refused before your work permit expires, you can Apply to Change Conditions as a visitor up to and including the last day of your work permit. If you are refused AFTER your work permit expires, you can still apply to change conditions for up to 90 days after the expiry date, but you also have to apply to restore status (costs a bit more).