Wife & kids accompanying as visitors with valid eTA, can they stay more than 6 months?

[briank]

Hello!

Wishing everyone here a Happy New Year!

My study permit for a 1 year postgraduate program was approved yesterday. I've indicated in form imm5707e that my wife and kids will accompany me to Canada. As my wife will be taking care of my kids during our 1 year stay, she won't be applying for an open work permit.

As far as I know, she'd arrive in Ottawa together with me with a valid eTA. However, it's stated on IRCC website that a valid eTA is normally for up to six months stay at a time. Will the border service officer grant my wife and kids the same duration as my study permit?

 

[bluffmaster88]

Hello!

Wishing everyone here a Happy New Year!

My study permit for a 1 year postgraduate program was approved yesterday. I've indicated in form imm5707e that my wife and kids will accompany me to Canada. As my wife will be taking care of my kids during our 1 year stay, she won't be applying for an open work permit.

As far as I know, she'd arrive in Ottawa together with me with a valid eTA. However, it's stated on IRCC website that a valid eTA is normally for up to six months stay at a time. Will the border service officer grant my wife and kids the same duration as my study permit?

No. The max time limit is 6 months for a visitor. However, she can apply for extension near to the expiry date. But the extension is not guaranteed.

 

[briank]

No. The max time limit is 6 months for a visitor. However, she can apply for extension near to the expiry date. But the extension is not guaranteed.

Noted, thank you for answering my question! super helpful!

 

[Laguna55]

No. The max time limit is 6 months for a visitor. However, she can apply for extension near to the expiry date. But the extension is not guaranteed.

The problem of applying nearer the expiry date is that it could take time to process the extension (visitor record), currently the processing time is 192 days according to IRCC website, and that is irrespective of the country of origin . My advise is to apply for open work permit even if your wife will not be working.

 

[canuck78]

Would also recommend that she apply for an OWP. She is not a temporary visitor and with covid both your spouse and your child could be denied entry or boarding of a plane if their travel is not deemed essential. You indicating that your spouse and child will be accompanying doesn't mean much if then she didn't apply for an OWP.

 

[Laguna55]

Would also recommend that she apply for an OWP. She is not a temporary visitor and with covid both your spouse and your child could be denied entry or boarding of a plane if their travel is not deemed essential. You indicating that your spouse and child will be accompanying doesn't mean much if then she didn't apply for an OWP.

You are right but I would say spouse and child are immediate family members, so should be allowed to travel. This from IRCC website :

If immediate family members want to be with you in Canada
Some of your immediate family members may be able to come with you to Canada. You must be in one of the following relationships:

• you’re the spouse or common-law partner of the student
• you’re the dependent child of the student, or of the student’s spouse or common-law partner
• you’re the parent or step-parent of the student, or of the student's spouse or common-law partner
• you’re the guardian or tutor of the student

If one of these family members travels with you
They don’t need a written authorization from IRCC to travel with you. However, they must show that their reasons for travel are non-discretionary (non-optional). For example, they’ll help you get established and support you in Canada.