Can a us citizen stay in canada for 6 months and then leave for days return for another 6 months?

Question

I am a US citizen here in canada now and planning to stay for 6 months and extend if its possible , my family lives here and helping them out wont i get in trouble for staying after 6 months so was just thinking of leaving canada on my 5th months and then going back is that okay ?

Answer 1

No, it is not permissible (in either the US or Canada) for non-immigrant visitors to leave the country and then come right back in to re-start the clock.  That would defeat the whole purpose of limiting duration of stay for visitors, and you would essentially be an undocumented immigrant.

Answer 2

Technically...no. If you're on a Visa, you would have to go through steps to extend it.

Contact the Canadian Border Services... see paragraph below gleaned from their website:

"If you are moving to Canada permanently for the first time, or will be temporarily employed in Canada for more than three years, ask for a copy of the publication called Settling in Canada or select "Publications and forms" on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca."

In any case, if you have a friend in the US who can (and is willing to) approach a Consulate or Embassy Office in the US, have them go and lay the whole story out, including that you are here caring for (presumably) sick relatives. They can fairly quickly provide either the paperwork, or links where you can obtain the documents.

Your only other option is to ask for an application for Landed Immigrant Status, or even to apply for Dual Citizenship. The US Governement despises the latter, but the Canadian Government does recognise and allow Dual Citizenship.

Good Luck!