How far out should we book a return ticket?

[YYC787]

Hello all,

My wife and I were married in India a few months ago. I'm a Canadian citizen, and I'm sponsoring her via the outland process.

We were hoping to come to Canada together after the wedding, so we applied for a visitor's visa for her, despite all advice from friends and immigration lawyers, who said she would 99% be rejected. She got it (1 year multiple entry), and we came to Canada in April of 2014. The visa expires in March of 2015.

We have a return ticket booked for October, at the end of her 6-month stay. I didn't want the CBSA to refuse her entry, so that's why we didn't book a one-way ticket. The ticket is changeable, but it entails a $250 penalty. I don't mind paying it, but I'd rather only do it once.

We've just gotten her stay extended until February 2015, we just got the approval from CIC today, and her new visitor record is in the mail.

Now that she can stay longer than the initial 6 months, I want to change her return ticket. We sent the application package to Mississauga late last month, and we're waiting for CIC to approve me as a sponsor so the file to be transferred to New Delhi.

My question is, how far out should I push her return ticket? Because she's going to be called to India to give them her passport and possibly an interview.

She can stay in Canada until late February, and her visa expires in early March, so she has to go back by then for sure.

Is it possible that her passport could be requested by New Delhi sooner than that? And if I book her ticket for February, and let's say they request the passport in December, what do we do? Would we have to change her ticket again?

 

[innosense]

Hi,

I think NDVO will be requesting passport almost towards the final stage. I don't think they are asking passports at the very beginning and holding it like they did in 2013.

If you applied only recently I don't think there will be a passport request in December ( in 6 months ) unless a miracle happens.

You do have an option of applying for a new TRV before she leaves Canada so that she can enter again. Not sure if she can use the new TRV to stay continuously in Canada. It is likely to take at least 12 months for the entire process to complete. So its better to get a new TRV if you guys want to stay together for the processing time.

Your best bet would be to book the ticket for Feb for now and hope that she can enter again.
IF she gets PPR before that, then you can consider rescheduling ticket for an immediate travel ( second penalty fee might be cheaper versus the cost of new ticket for an immediate travel ) and be happy that she is atleast finishing the process much sooner and take it easy.

In the end everything balances out. we may not be able to see it right away. if she gets PR soon, she can work soon and earn several months in advance.

Good luck !

 

[YYC787]

Thanks, that helps a bit.

Is she able to apply for a new TRV from within Canada? I was under the impression that you can only do that from outside Canada. (Or can the current TRV be extended?)

As for getting a new TRV, we can always drive down to the States and come back. She does have a (multi entry) US visa...we took care of that in case we needed it! ;D

 

[Awesomeg]

Thanks, that helps a bit.

Is she able to apply for a new TRV from within Canada? I was under the impression that you can only do that from outside Canada. (Or can the current TRV be extended?)

As for getting a new TRV, we can always drive down to the States and come back. She does have a (multi entry) US visa...we took care of that in case we needed it! ;D

Yes, go and book for February...
Take a look to the statistics of India and you will have an idea of
how long they will take to request the passport,
but according to the procedures and timeline of India you can be safe
if you book for February.
You can pay a visit to any Immigration office and ask for details on how to
apply for an extension of her visa,
or just give a call to CIC,
they will tell you, yes. I have seen many applicants that are in land
that have applied from within Canada.
Give them a call at:

1-888-242-2100