This Is The Place

Labour Day - Toronto International Airshow - Budapest Park

I lost legal status in mid-2016 because of unfortunate circumstances. Here’s why. If you were given a multiple-entry visa to Canada, you would assume you could stay in the country for its entirety without any problem. Well, it's wrong. I just found out that border services officer at the port of entry—whether by land, sea or air—will determine how long you are allowed to stay. You will know it upon entry, because they usually stamp a “leave on or before” date in your passport. In my case, I had no stamp in my passport when I arrived here in July of 2014 via the Pearson International Airport. Of course, I didn’t know then that “no stamp” means I’m “good to stay” only for up to six months despite the multiple-entry visa. The thing is, if you plan to stay for more than six months you have to undergo a medical exam from a government-approved doctor. It's a requirement. However, you can not just show up at the doctor's office to get your medicals done. You have...