Visa expired: how long do I have to remain in CA

My visa expired just recently (2 year Holiday/Work visa for the UK) so obviously I had to return to Canada. But I was wondering; how long do I have to remain in CA before I can travel again? Does anyone have any experience with this?

As far as I know you don't have to remain in Canada for any length of time. As long as you have a valid passport you can travel somewhere else.

As long as you have a permanent address in Canada and retain ties there you are still considered a resident of Canada, you don't have a minimum amount of time you have to spend there.

Are you saying,,,if I have an address in Canada,,,I could go to the UK for 6 months,,,return for a couple of weeks and go back to the UK for 6 months,,,,and continue to do this? As long as I keep an address here in Canada, and can afford to travel home every 6 months for a couple of weeks,,,I can live in the UK. However, that would not entitle me to work there right? How about if I have an online business, can I continue to run my business while I am there? My income would be claimed and taxed in Canada.

As far as Canada is concerned, yes you can do that, and you would still be considered a resident of Canada and keep your health care benefits and all that.

As far as the UK is concerned, they may have an issue with that, since that seems like you are living there, and a visitors permit is designed for you to visit, temporarily. It does not entitle you to live there or set up ties there. I'm sure many people have done it, just saying that technically you could get blocked at immigration if they have reason to suspect that you have been living there illegally (you are illegally living there if you are LIVING THERE, even if you have a valid visitors visa). That being said, you probably wouldn't get pulled up on it until you'd been through the border several times, then they'd be able to see a pattern of you leaving, only temporarily but clearly living there, not just visiting as a tourist. I'm no expert on UK immigration though, if your question pertains to how this effects your status in the UK (as opposed to your status in Canada) you'd be better off posting in the appropriate UK forum.


Just be really aware that there is a massive difference between what you can TECHNICALLY do, by letter of the law, and what you'll actually be able to do. Customs officials do not have to go on technicalities, their job is subjective, and if they have any reason to believe that you MAY be doing something dodgy, they can and will block you from entering. They don't HAVE to let you in, it's a privilege for people to be able to travel in their country, not a right.

I agree with CharR, there is a big difference between what you can do and what you can do "technically". But through my extensive research on this matter, "technically" you have to be in Canada 6months (does not have to be consecutive) out of the year to maintain your Canadian Health care. In addition, the UK will only allow you to visit (without a visa) for a period of 6months (does not have to be consecutive) within a calendar year.