IEC & visitors

[KiwiCarl]

Hi there

Me, my wife, and our two young boys (4 & 2) are planning to move from New Zealand to Alberta for a year. I have a job waiting for me in Alberta and will be going on the IEC working holiday permit.

My wife and sons plan to enter under the 6 month visitor Visa (is visa the right term here? NZ is a Visa exempt country). From what we've heard, these visitor visas are issued at the border when we land - we need not apply prior, as long as we have our eTa. Is this correct? (Q1)

Also, obviously we'd like this 6 months to be extended to a year. We will apply for an extension as soon as possible. Is there anything we can do to increase our chances of approval? (Q2)

Does exiting the country (say to USA) and re-entering trigger an additional 6 months? (Q3)

We haven't booked flights yet, but plan to asap. Would it be prudent to book return tickets at say 51 weeks (just shy of a year) to be sure to fall within the 6 + 6 months timeframe? (Q4)

Thanks for your help

 

[Helena R]

Hi,

Q1 yes, you only need your eTa. They actually dont "issue"a visa when you arrive, they just stamp your passport as in any other country, and that is considered your visitor visa.

Q2. You'll have to apply for "Extend my Stay in Canada as a Visitor". Forms and requirements are on CIC website. To increase your chances of approval you have to prepare a strong application: the main thing here is to show strong ties to yiur home country. They need to see that yiu will leave Canada at the end of your stay. This is the main thing together with proof of funds.
So, gather all docs and info about assets like property owned, cars or anything of value owned in NZ. If you or your wife do any activities or are involved in anything that requires your presence, you should get letters from those institutions. Family ties could also help. Anything that can show that you need to go back.
And you have to show that in this case your salary AND your Bank accounts are enough to support your family for the whole stay. I think you will have to come up with your own travel insurance right ?
So, gather as much as you can.

Q3 I don't think so, but some people say it depends on the officer. Ill tell you from own experience, I drove with my husband to a conference in Chicago and stayed for a week. When back in Canada the officer did not stamp my passport at all.

The travel tickets for that time frame are ok IF you have a Job Letter stating that you are invited to work for 1 year.

Before traveling, check all the docs required for the Visa Extension, as you might need to get things in NZ, otherwise it could be a nightmare to get them from here.

Hope it helps !