How long can a German stay in Canada?
 

Hi everyone!

I am new to the site. My girlfriend would like to come and live with my family for a year. She is from Hamburg, Germany and we live on Vancouver Island. Is this possible? We keep hearing conflicting answers.

The best one is she can come for 6 months but must leave Canada (for instance, go on holiday to Hawaii for a week or a weekend in Seattle) and than she may re-enter for another 6 months.

Can anyone let us know if this is true? We are eager to get her here and we appreciate your help!

Blessings,
Caroline
Duncan, BC, Canada

A travel forum is not the right place to get advice on a country's entry requirements, visas, etc. - especially if the advice you're looking for is how to circumvent the "6 month visit" restriction.

LOL, she wants to TRAVEL here and VISIT our country... .it says online that some countries can come for 1 year... http://www.international.gc.ca/iyp-p...ang=eng&view=d

We were thinking perhaps other fellow travelers would have knowledge on whether or not she could get a Visa, which one, or if she even needed one at all. Thank you so much for your support!

Caroline

If you click on Germany in the website you cited, you will see the requirements for young (18-35)Germans to enter Canada under the International Experience Canada programme. It appears that the 12 month open work permit would be the most suitable, but there is a quota and all places are filled for 2011. She should keep checking or ask the Canadian Embassy in Berlin about the 2012 programme.

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca....aspx?lang=deu

Best free advice will come from Canadian embassy.

Immigration attorneys will cost.

many ways to do this based on her situation but rather complex

working holiday visas usually work best for this.

border runs to the US do not work she will be denied re-entry

probably...

Caroline - I'm not sure why you think my response justified an "LOL". Compliance with entry requirements for a country is not a laughing matter. Even less of a laughing matter is getting advice from non-experts that could result in your friend getting banned from ever returning to Canada. Ha ha. Not.

Those who are pointing you to the Canadian government websites on visiting Canada are on the right track.