How long can Canadian stay in USA

Ok, interesting problem for me. I'm applying for school, and I've been in the states working on it for coming up on six months in March. Now, I want to visit my family over the march break, and come back to get processed as a student on the way back.

Turns out I can't do that, as the schools here won't hand out student Visas more then 120 days before the first day of classes. The earliest I can do that is in April if I'm applying for the fall semester.

That would come up on seven months. Is this legal in any way? To stay an extra month if people know it's just temporary?

Or do I have to fill out some form for an extended stay? I've looked into that and that costs a couple hundred dollars, doesn't it?

I've actually considered staying in Canada for a month (which is really not appealing, since I can't stand staying with my parents for a long period of time.) or applying for the summer semester instead. (which will hopefully be early enough.) or just trying to hide out in America and hope I don't get caught for like...3 or 4 extra weeks.

Any advice?

I don't think there's a way around this one because you've been in the US six months already. A renewal of status on I-539 probably wouldn't be granted in this situation so there's no point applying.

The only thing you might be able to try is to leave and try re-entering, because you're now in a new calendar year, the CBP officer might calculate the six months from January, but then again he might not because you've just come off a six month stay so that plays against "non-immigrant intent". Worth a shot I suppose, worst that can happen is you have to go home which is what would happen anyway.

Another bomb that's been dropped on me. The international student fellow at the college told me that my i-20 will bar me from re-entering America until 30 days before the first day of school.

I really wish people would tell me these things before hand.

Anyone heard about this?

You can be in visitor status, but you would have to re-enter to use the I-20. Folklore is that USCIS hate I-539 applications from B-2 to F-1 but I'm not sure how much truth there is to that one. But your problem is that you've been in visitor status so long.

I have a question, and it is probabaly answered above but I am going to ask again. How long can one (canadian) stay in the United States America. I have heard 3 months I have heard 6 months. soo My question is how long can i stay in U.S .A without any sort of visa? your help would be greatley appriectaed

-- Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:25 pm --

I have a question, and it is probabaly answered above but I am going to ask again. How long can one (canadian) stay in the United States America. I have heard 3 months I have heard 6 months. soo My question is how long can i stay in U.S .A without any sort of visa? your help would be greatley appriectaed