Visitor records

[imp]

Probably another silly question but I like to have my bases covered or at least understand the rules. I have a visitor record that is valid until July 23rd. I thought that my husband and I were going to be in Canada until July 21st and then reentering July 25th however our plans have since changed because of a mix-up in dates. We will now be leaving Canada and reentering before the visitor record expires. My question is will they be able to issue me a new one even though the old one is not expired?

I thought I had read somewhere that by leaving Canada the visitor record is no longer valid, but when I was in Canada for the summer last year the officer at the border issued me a visitor record until the date when I was going back to the US to finish my studies rather than the date I told her we were going back to the US to visit my family for a long weekend. She told me that it would be easier for me to enter Canada again with the visitor record and it really was so that kind of makes it seem like it doesn't lose its validity until the date it expires.

 

[Baloo]

As a US citizen you do not need a visitor record (VR).

A VR does not authorize re-entry to Canada.

A VR is deemed void if you leave Canada.

 

[rjessome]

A visitor record DOES become void as soon as you leave Canada. The CBSA officer made a mistake but sounds like they were trying to do you a favour. Looks like you applied for spousal sponsorship. Bring a copy of the fees receipt when you enter Canada again and advise them that an application is in process. You shouldn't have any problems entering with that.

 

[imp]

Thanks for the quick replies I'm not too concerned about reentering, we always have the important documents with us when crossing and my husband will be with me. I was just concerned that the visitor record not being expired would be an issue but if it actually becomes void when I leave Canada then I guess it won't be. I know I don't require the visitor record, but apparently they like to give them to me because I'm almost always sent inside and given one. They've generally been very nice and understanding at the border so here's hoping to another uneventful family visit and return!
Thanks again,
imp

 

[Baloo]

Have a good trip.

 

[doctorkb]

Our border officer explained that a Visitor Record doesn't become "void" per se, but that it doesn't authorize re-entry. If you are allowed to re-enter, the existing VR is valid (though you may be permitted to stay for longer, just that the VR hasn't been updated).

He advised that a renewal should have been completed -- if you re-enter Canada before its expiry, you should apply through Vegreville to have a renewed VR.

He explained that the VR was used to provide proof of status in Canada in case that status is questioned by authorities.

Furthermore, he said that with the VR we could apply for work authorisation...

 

[rjessome]

Our border officer explained that a Visitor Record doesn't become "void" per se, but that it doesn't authorize re-entry. If you are allowed to re-enter, the existing VR is valid (though you may be permitted to stay for longer, just that the VR hasn't been updated).

He advised that a renewal should have been completed -- if you re-enter Canada before its expiry, you should apply through Vegreville to have a renewed VR.

He explained that the VR was used to provide proof of status in Canada in case that status is questioned by authorities.

Furthermore, he said that with the VR we could apply for work authorisation...

Seriously? This guy should go back to immigration training. He's wrong about everything except that the VR is proof of status in Canada.

 

[annabruce]

RJ, any visits to the USA ( and ONLY the USA or St-Pierre and Miquelon ) do NOT invalidate the visitors records.

It is a part of one of my own past questions. My wife successfully reentered Canada from the USA.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/how-long-is-the-visa-good-for-t36090.0.html;msg320703#msg320703

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5551E2.asp

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a temporary resident visa (TRV) to travel to Canada, you will also need to be in possession of a valid entry visa to return, unless:
•you are returning to Canada following a visit only to the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon; and
•you return before the expiry of the period initially authorized for your entry or any extension to it, either as a visitor, student or worker.

 

[rjessome]

A visitor record is different from a Temporary Resident VISA. They are NOT the same. The VISA will allow you re-entry from the US or St. Pierre et Miquelon as long as the period of your authorized stay has not expired. However, that doesn't mean the visitor record is still valid. The record ends as soon as you leave Canada. Technically and by law, what CBSA should be doing is issuing a new visitor record when you re-enter and most are doing that by stamping your passport again (this is a visitor record as well). If they write a date under the stamp, that is how long you are allowed to stay. If they don't, it defaults to 6 months. However, it seems that many CBSA officers are confused on this point and confusing people as well! But the visitor record only has one life.

 

[annabruce]

A visitor record is different from a Temporary Resident VISA. They are NOT the same. The VISA will allow you re-entry from the US or St. Pierre et Miquelon as long as the period of your authorized stay has not expired. However, that doesn't mean the visitor record is still valid. The record ends as soon as you leave Canada. Technically and by law, what CBSA should be doing is issuing a new visitor record when you re-enter and most are doing that by stamping your passport again (this is a visitor record as well). If they write a date under the stamp, that is how long you are allowed to stay. If they don't, it defaults to 6 months. However, it seems that many CBSA officers are confused on this point and confusing people as well! But the visitor record only has one life.

Agreed, so long as we agree that one can reenter with an expired visa so long as the authorized stay hasn't expired.

" •you return before the expiry of the period initially authorized for your entry or any extension to it, either as a visitor, student or worker"
for example: Visa expires on June 1st, but inital entry May 1st, 2011 with a six month authorized stay. On October 1 extension of status application submitted. On December 1st extension of status awarded ( with a visitor's reord ) to Decmber 1st 2012. So long as this person exits to the USA and returns before December 1st, 2012, they don't need a new entry visa. However, they may be issued a new visitors record ( passport stamp ) and are still subjected to similar questioning at the border. Alternatively, border guard has the option to return visitor's record to individual and honor the original visitor's record terms.

 

[rjessome]

Yep, "authorized stay" is the key here. It's semantics and confusing (obviously!). ;D So much is caught up in the language.

 

[Summer32]

I am currently in Canada with an application for permanent residency in process. CIC granted me a visitor extension until June 2012 so I could stay with my husband whilst it is being processed. We would like to go on holiday at the end of the month:

So my question is: would my visitor extension that is valid until June 2012 automatically become void if I leave to go on holiday and then come back?

Or is it up to the border official to decide whether to let you back in either with dual intent & a new passport stamp, or let the current visitor extension continue?

My husband & I would really like to go abroad for a honeymoon but I do not want to automatically void the visitor visa extension I have just received.

 

[rjessome]

I'm assuming you are a UK citizen so visa exempt. You can go away on holiday if you like. Provide proof to the CBSA officer upon returning that your husband is sponsoring you under the Family Class (Sponsor approval letter, fees receipt, AOR). They will let you back in assuming you don't commit some heavy crimes while on honeymoon! You will be issued a new VR (either paper document or by stamp in your passport).

 

[Summer32]

Thanks for your help rjessome. You are right, I am from the UK so visa exempt.

 

[doctorkb]

I'm assuming you are a UK citizen so visa exempt. You can go away on holiday if you like. Provide proof to the CBSA officer upon returning that your husband is sponsoring you under the Family Class (Sponsor approval letter, fees receipt, AOR). They will let you back in assuming you don't commit some heavy crimes while on honeymoon! You will be issued a new VR (either paper document or by stamp in your passport).

Not to be contrarian, but rjessome should have had "probably" between "They will" and "let you back in".

It is the prerogative of the border officer as to whether you qualify as a "visitor." Don't assume that they'll let you back in just because you have a PR app in process.