Entering Canada with eTA before inland application

[ameet747]

Hello,
I am an Indian citizen with PR in Canada, residing in Toronto. I am getting married later this year in India. My partner is a British citizen with UK passport, even though she has lived in India pretty much all her life.
We are planning to travel back together soon after the wedding (she only needs to apply for eTA, no visa required).
My question is - Once we land in Canada, and if we honestly tell border agents that she's entering as a visitor for now and we will apply for inland Spousal PR, will that cause an issue? Or should we just claim that she's entering as a visitor and will fly back home to apply for PR as an outland applicant?

 

[fjmeer]

I was in a similar position. My wife came in using an etA and then we applied as an inland applicant.

 

[James_NZ1]

I was in a similar position. My wife came in using an etA and then we applied as an inland applicant.

Be honest with the agents. You will need to demonstrate that she will leave when her eta visa expires etc. Some tips...

Ensure you have proof of funds for her stay in Canada.
Pack only tourist things (Don't pack bedding, kitchen equipment, appliances, an entire wardrobe, thousand pair of shoes etc)
Show proof of ties to her country of residence. (Family, employment, ownership of a house/rental property) as insufficient proof will mean she may not leave when her visa expires (even if she has every intention of doing so)

I explained at my entry that I was entering as a tourist while my PR application is in its finial stages (after PPR) and my fiance was with me and also backed up what we planned to do. the officer accepted our reason for entry and wished us luck.

If you are not honest at entry your sponsorship application will be pointless with misrepresentation and its her first impression for Canadian Immigration.

 

[ameet747]

I was in a similar position. My wife came in using an etA and then we applied as an inland applicant.

Thanks for responding! So what did your wife declare as her purpose of visit? Did she honestly say that you guys are planning to file an inland application once she's in Canada? This is the part I am curious about...

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks for responding! So what did your wife declare as her purpose of visit? Did she honestly say that you guys are planning to file an inland application once she's in Canada? This is the part I am curious about...

Don't volunteer information but don't lie. Say your spouse is visiting. If asked further, say you will be applying for PR. If they don't ask, no need to tell.

 

[ameet747]

Don't volunteer information but don't lie. Say your spouse is visiting. If asked further, say you will be applying for PR. If they don't ask, no need to tell.

Thank you! Perhaps I should play it safe and book a return ticket for her, eh? Even though we won't be using it; a fully refundable ticket maybe...

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you! Perhaps I should play it safe and book a return ticket for her, eh? Even though we won't be using it; a fully refundable ticket maybe...

Yes, always a good plan to have the separate refundable ticket. My partner had one just in case but we were never asked for it. Some people do get asked.