hey there - this is my first post on here - so this might sound a big ignorant and i apologise if the info is actually already on this site somewhere, i have looked - but with no luck.

if anyone could help, my specific question is this. i've been here for a year on a BUNAC 1 year non-extendable work visa. i actually didn't get it for the purposes of working, rather to come and spend time visiting friends and just exploring and getting some inspiration ( i'm a self-employed writer ). i've not worked here or earned anything from canada, and have only spent money here. my visa is due to run out at the end of this money which is imminent. since i'm kind of in a "taking time out" stage of my life at the moment, i'm enjoying just spending time holidaying here in canada. am i allowed to continue this? what are the realities as far as going back to england and then coming back to canada for another 6 months and then repeating that if i still wanted to stay. i do realise that due to the length of time - you could technically consider it that i'm living here. yet, i'm not earning a penny from this country and just spending on back royalties. obviously once it gets low enough - i'll have to go back to england and work things out there. but while i'm here not working and just holiday, am i technically allowed to continue this? what problems COULD there be? is there something i would have to prove? is there an actual limit as to how long you can holiday in a country before they say you've had your fill? i say this only because right now - i'm just enjoying spending time with fellow artist friends of mine and just travelling, and meeting new people and for the time being - i'd like to continue exploring this country.

if i realistically wanted to live here, is this something i would have to set in motion while NOT present in this country? i.e. would i have to be resident back in the UK for the entire duration of the application process and not be allowed to come over for a holiday until i've been given an answer?

i apologise for the lengthy thread, i have searched on google and the CIC website and am just finding clear information hard to come by.

just to clarify again - i'm supporting myself completely for the time that i'm here and am not earning a penny from canada at all and would like to continue holidaying as long as my funds will allow me to.

any help with this specific situation would be greatly appreciated.

many thanks,

michael

A question for the Canadian immigration forum maybe? Just folks swearing at each other on here!

haha - thanks i'll go post it there

cheers!

Welcome anyway!

Dont know anything about BUNAC - sorry!

Mrs G

oh - well, bunac's not really relevant to this - but just for ur info..it's an organization that specialises in doing those work abroad visas for one year. aimed at students -they also extended it to non-students and older people - i think up to a maximum age of 30-something. it's a one off offer and it's a fast track one year open work employment visa. and it can't be renewed. i basically applied for it and got it so i could just come over and stay longer than 6 months without any big hassles.

www.bunac.org - pretty cool

Hi.

I used to be totally honest with the guys at Toronto Airport, they'd put a line through my little piece of paper, send me to a room full of waiting people where nobody spoke English and the immigration lady thought I was Russian or something.

Once I got to a "friendly" immigration fat controller guy he'd stamp my passport for the maximum stay allowable and send me on my way.

They know when you last visited, when you last left etc, just be honest , might take you 30 minutes in immigration control but thats it. Does help if you can show a return ticket or funds to travel/return home....

Process:

Their immigration system is on the ball and is something you have to start and finish from the UK.

Good luck with whatever you do.