# Question about extending my stay in Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 7, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583 "2004-12-07T18:21:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/1 "2004-12-07T18:21:59Z")
Hey everyone, I’m a British citizen who is currently staying in Canada on an extended vacation. As I am **not** working, I am, by default, allowed to stay for six months. The trouble is, I’m not sure if the rules state six months “out of a certain period of time”, for example, if I am only allowed to stay for six months out of a one/two year period, and that two-weeks I spent in Canada last year would count towards this, of if my current stay this year can be a full six months. As I was unsure of this before I left the UK earlier this year, I simply set my stay for five and a half months (purchasing the return ticket etc) so that even if the two weeks I spent in Canada in 2003 were counted, it still wouldn’t take me over the six months. When I landed in Canada, the authorities didn’t set a leaving time with me or even ask to see my return ticket. However (and now we get to the point), I would really like to extend my stay by around three weeks to allow me to attend an awards celebration with a friend (it’s really important to her, as it’s the result of seven years hard work). That additional three weeks would mean I would have stayed in Canada for just under six months this year (I got to Canada in early August and the celebration is in late Jan), but coupled with the two weeks I stayed **last year** , it would take me over the six months. Does last year matter? Changing my flight is easy enough, but I want to do things right and I’m not sure if I need to ask permission from any Canadian authorities, and I am really having trouble finding any details on the six month visit rules on the Canadian Immigration websites. Does anyone know anything about Canadian rules on such visits? Since it is only a couple of weeks we’re talking about, should I just change my flight and leave a little later, or should I be contacting anyone to ask permission or talk it through? I don’t want to be banned from returning to Canada in the future, you see! Many thanks for any advice! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/2 "2004-12-07T18:31:08Z")
If you’re not working, have a flight home booked with a ticket in hand, and can basically prove that you’re planning to leave (family in the UK, a job to go to or somesuch) the Canadian authorities aren’t going to tie themselves in knots trying to find you and boot your ass out. I would avoid committing any felonys for the last few weeks of your stay, but other than that I wouldn’t worry too much. Assuming you’re not planning to emmigrate here there’s not much Canada would do to you anyway, other than sending you home. ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/3 "2004-12-08T20:50:07Z")
Thanks for the advice! I figure I will keep searching for the full rules on visiting, but if I can’t get anyone in authority to clarify (or even answer) me, I won’t worry too much about it. After all, while I am here I am bringing money into the Canadian economy, so I’m spreading more good than bad. Anyone else know anything about the six months rule though? ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/4 "2004-12-08T21:01:39Z")
Aha! Just found this from [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/visit.html](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/visit.html)… > [@](#): > > Upon your arrival in Canada, your passport or travel documents may be stamped to indicate how long you may stay in Canada. If you do not receive notice otherwise, you may remain in Canada for six months. Since my passport was just stamped with the date I arrived and no one said anything, it looks like I will be fine for staying up to six months on this visit. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/5 "2004-12-08T21:06:21Z")
[http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5551E2.html#wp1020642](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5551E2.html#wp1020642) Well, if you insist on being all technical about it: > [@](#): > > If there is no stamp, a handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six months from the day you arrived in Canada. Previous visits notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/6 "2004-12-08T21:10:45Z")
Holy simulpost Batman! 🙂 Glad you got your info sorted. ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-extending-my-stay-in-canada/278583/7 "2004-12-08T21:16:17Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5551E2.html#wp1020642](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5551E2.html#wp1020642) > > Well, if you insist on being all technical about it: > > Previous visits notwithstanding. Heheh, thanks, Alice! 🙂 Incidentally, just in case anyone is interested, that document also mentions that you can apply to stay over your six month limit for special things like “family weddings” and whatnot. You just have to write a letter and ask permission three weeks before your scheduled leaving date. Sounds like they’re pretty reasonable if you’re not causing trouble or milking the system.