How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

Hello,

I am an EU citizen living and working in the UK (I'm self-employed) and can travel to Canada on the VWP. I know it allows you to stay up to 6 months in Canada without requesting a visa, but I have some questions that I'm hoping some of you can help me with:

1.How often can I enter Canada on the VWP? - my partner has a PR but has been living in the UK and is planning on moving back to Canada soon. I will like to be able to visit him often until he is able to apply for a PR for me. I've read on some forums that you are not allowed to return to Canada after several months, do any of you know about this or have any experience please?

2.Are they giving the 6 months to all VWP or is it depending on the official at point of entry? (I think I may be going to Toronto)

3.What are they asking as proof that I have enough money and will not cause them issues?

Thanks a lot for your help :)

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

1. As many times as you like providing the officer finds you admissible.
2. The vast majority from non visa requiring countries get the 6 months. In your case making numerous trips an officer could limit your stay.
3. Access to sufficient funds to cover your stay and that you will leave Canada which is usually a return ticket.

if you are considered common law i.e. been living with your partner for over 12 months and they are a PR that could be used to gain a longer stay but it is also a red flag as it could be an indicator that you might not leave Canada especially if no spousal sponsorship application submitted and the PR is now living in Canada.

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your reply.

I am not thinking of applying for a PR yet, so would it be better if I just say I am travelling as a tourist and not mention my partner is already there?

I want to be allowed entry often, probably for periods of 3-4 months (I can do my work being abroad as I'm self employed), so wouldn't like to have a problem at entry and then needed to request a tourist visa for future visits or not be allowed into Canada.

Do you have any idea how much would they consider 'sufficient funds'?

Thanks again for your help.

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

Not mentioning you have a Canadian PR partner could land you in trouble especially when you would be staying with them. In your case make sure you have a return ticket. How many trips of 3 to 4 months are you thinking of taking and do you own property?
If not then the more trips you make more suspicion as you are spending more time in Canada than your own country.
Sufficient funds is open to interpretation and circumstances i.e. living in hotels or living with relatives/friends.

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

I was thinking of maybe staying 3-4 months and then spending 3-4 months in the UK and then going back to Canada for 3-4 months. Do you think it would be a problem? Does anybody has experience with this?

I understand what you are saying about mentioning my partner has a PR, but my fear is that if they know that, they may think I want to stay indefinitely which is not the case as I wouldn't like to have problems once I request a PR.

Thanks again for your help

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

So when they ask you who are you staying with what would be your answer?
Just be up front if asked and state we are in a relationship and will be splitting my time due to my ability to work online between Canada and the UK and have return tickets.

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

Isn't s/he not allowed to work whilst on a visitor record in Canada? Whether online for a UK company or not?

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

No, s/he is fine to work online for a UK company usually, although it will depend on the circumstances (i.e. not taking a job away from a Canadian etc). Info here - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...work/about.asp

Re: How often can I enter Canada on VWP?
 

The VWP is an American thing, there is no visa waiver for Canada, there just isn't a visa, full stop. The VWP in the US is a different entry category than other visitors. The Canadian equivalent of ESTA is the ETA.

You have to have non-immigrant intent, which is much more vaguely described in Canadian law than in the US, but basically to prove it you need evidence you're going back, so utility bills, bank statements, pay stubs, rent agreement, etc. I.e. evidence of a bona fide residence abroad.