Do some people trick the 6-month stay limit on visitor visas?

[mcgyver]

I have heard stories of people who come to Canada with visitor visas having the multiple-entry privilege and, shortly before the 6-month maximum duration is reached, they just cross the border to the US and come back to start day one of a fresh new stay. Is that considered a legitimate way of continuing their stay in Canada? If so, why would people go through the pain of applying for a visa record in order to extend the stay?

 

[yay_321]

I have heard stories of people who come to Canada with visitor visas having the multiple-entry privilege and, shortly before the 6-month maximum duration is reached, they just cross the border to the US and come back to start day one of a fresh new stay. Is that considered a legitimate way of continuing their stay in Canada? If so, why would people go through the pain of applying for a visa record in order to extend the stay?

You are not doing anything illegal. Technically this scenario is perfectly fine, but the problem comes when you come back the border officer who is granting you entry may think that you want to live here permanently and that you are using misusing visit visa which is intended for a short stay less than 6 months and may refuse entry.

 

[scylla]

I have heard stories of people who come to Canada with visitor visas having the multiple-entry privilege and, shortly before the 6-month maximum duration is reached, they just cross the border to the US and come back to start day one of a fresh new stay. Is that considered a legitimate way of continuing their stay in Canada? If so, why would people go through the pain of applying for a visa record in order to extend the stay?

It's legitimate but comes with additional risks and lower chances of a positive outcome. If and how long you are allowed back into Canada is always up to CBSA. Sometimes they only allow people back in for the duration of their original visit or only grant them a short additional visit to Canada. It's better to apply for the visitor record from within Canada. Much better chance of being granted another six months to stay.