Entering Canada but not Landing after Visa Issued

[carfey]

I am sponsoring my American wife and we just got the request for her passport

We live close enough to the border that we would like use a couple weekends to look for a place to live. Can my wife come with me and enter Canada after her visa is issued but without doing the actual landing? We would like to find a place to rent, then arrange to move our belongings and formally enter. I can't find any info on the subject.

[rgvinson777]

I don't see any problem with that at all.  As an American, your wife is free to visit Canada any time she wants to.  She just needs to present her passport and/or drivers license at the border.  They will ask her the nature of her visit.  She tells them that she is an applicant for PR under the family sponsorship program (with an 'outland application') They will check her out on their computer and let her enter.  It's really not a problem.

Congratulations by the way!

Best Wishes!!

[carfey]

Thanks!

We're really looking forward to getting back to what we both feel is home.

[rgvinson777]

I am an American and my wife is Canadian.  I have visited her 3 times since we submitted our application in Feb 08.  Have fun!

[RobsLuv]

Be aware that just because she "lands" doesn't mean she has to be prepared to settle in Canada.  She will have to provide an address in Canada for them to send her PR card to, but she is free to go back to the States to "settle her affairs" before she has to come to Canada.  Be careful because her COPR does have an expiration date.