I'm about to buy the return plane ticket, but before I do I just wanted to get some advice/information on what's going to happen.
I'm a full UK citizen, with a UK passport, so I don't have to worry about getting a visa.
I'll put the emails I sent and received here:
From: xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@hotmail.com]
Sent: 26 February 2007 17:54
To: LDN (IMMIGRATION)
Subject: Worries about travelling to Canada for 3 months
(This doesn't include any visas, it's just a 3-month visit.)
I'm about to buy a return ticket to Canada, which will mean my arrival
there in early April, and my departure in late July (which is roughly a
stay of 3 months), but I have some concerns I would like to address
before I do.
I have a friend who flew out to Canada last month, with a ticket for a
2-month stay. She tells me that she had a lot of difficulty with the
immigration officers, who didn't like the fact that the ticket was for
as long as it was. Apparently they won't let you into the country if you
have a ticket for more than a few months.
Now, I find this confusing, because all the websites I have looked at
say you are allowed to stay for up to 6 months without a visa. I don't
want to buy a 3-month return ticket, only to be denied access at
immigration.
Would I really be ok buying a 3-month return? Or would it be wiser to
buy a shorter one, then change the departure time of the flight when I'm
there?
Thanks in advance.
And here's the one I got back:
Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Please note that I cannot comment on the difficulty that your friend had
in entering the country. In order to be admitted to the country for
extended periods of time as a visitor you should be able to show the
Immigration Official at the port of entry proof that you have sufficient
funds to support yourself without working for the duration of your stay,
evidence of strong ties to your country of residence (i.e. employment,
education, family etc...). The Immigration Officer must be satisfied
that you are not looking for employment and that you will leave the
country at the end of your stay. The more information you can provide
to this effect, in addition to a return plane ticket, the better.
Sincerely,
Client Services
Immigration Division, LDN
I sent another one back, but I'm not sure if it was received. I got no confirmation email. The questions I asked were:
What would be considered evidence of ties to the UK?
What would be considered sufficient funds for 3 months? I'll have about $2000, and I'll be staying at a friends house for the entire duration. Would it help to get a letter from the owner of the house saying they'll be giving me a place to stay for the duration of my stay?
What would my options be if I was refused entry at the port? Would I be sent straight back to the UK, or would I be able to stay there and appeal?
How exactly do I satisfy the officer that I won't look for work and will leave at the date of my return ticket?
Ok, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Any more information needed, let me know.
Thanks.