Can Visiting Spouse get TRV for longer than 6 months?

[kplanas]

I am US citizen that has been accepted to a 2 year full-time degree program at a public post-secondary education institution.
My husband (36 and US citizens) will be coming with me and would like to stay for the duration of my studies. Can he receive a multiple entry temporary resident visa for the duration of my study permit along with mine or must he apply for an open work permit in order to get a TRV that is longer than 6 months?

How far in advance could we come to Vancouver before my studies begin? In other words, can I arrive 2 months prior to classes starting in order to settle?

Thanks!

 

[Leon]

Your husband can apply for an open work permit based on your permit. If you are a US citizen and visa exempt to Canada, you can surely arrive earlier than your studies begin. Just say you are vacationing in Canada before you start your studies. If immigration prefers, you can even offer them that you will leave and enter again just before your classes start.