Is it really difficult to come back to Canada while outland PR is in process?

[Ryathe]

Hi,

I'd love to hear some positive stories of people who actually were able to come back to Canada after leaving for some time, during their PR outland process.

We applied over a month ago and in 2 weeks I'm going home to visit family and help them with some stuff. After a month I want to come back. And I thought that having my docs from PR application, the bank statements showing my savings here and in Poland that are enough to allow me to support myself throughout the process and my partner's phone number to confirm his willingness to take care of me if needed are going to be enough to convince the immigration officers of my good intentions. I mean, if they look into my file they will notice that I spent here the last 1,5 year so I think expecting me to have ties with my homeland is kinda illogical, isn't it?

But of course I came across a few negative experiences of ppl who were not allowed in..... So I need something positive to balance it as it's too late to cancel the trip... :-\ Please share~~

 

[Sweden]

Hi,

I'd love to hear some positive stories of people who actually were able to come back to Canada after leaving for some time, during their PR outland process.

We applied over a month ago and in 2 weeks I'm going home to visit family and help them with some stuff. After a month I want to come back. And I thought that having my docs from PR application, the bank statements showing my savings here and in Poland that are enough to allow me to support myself throughout the process and my partner's phone number to confirm his willingness to take care of me if needed are going to be enough to convince the immigration officers of my good intentions. I mean, if they look into my file they will notice that I spent here the last 1,5 year so I think expecting me to have ties with my homeland is kinda illogical, isn't it?

But of course I came across a few negative experiences of ppl who were not allowed in..... So I need something positive to balance it as it's too late to cancel the trip... :-\ Please share~~

Hey Ryathe,

Here is some positivity then! I assume you are from a visa-exempt, otherwise your story would not make sense.

So my story : I'm from a visa-exempt country, and decided to "move" to Canada with my partner before getting my COPR, as the timing is uncertain and I didn't want to have to do everything last minute.

So I packed everything, finished my job, terminated the lease for the apartment, and bought a ticket! my partner was traveling with me, and we landed 2 weeks ago in Vancouver.

I was allowed in without any trouble. I had a one way ticket, and no ties to show to the border officer. I had prepared the copy of the sponsorship approval, and an extract of my bank account (with equivalent in CAN) to show that I had the funds to pay for a return ticket if needed.

When asked at the border how long I was intending to say, I said 6 months and added that I had applied for PR, and that the first stage was completed, and I was here to wait for the final decision. The border officer asked if I had a job at home (no), and that was it more or less.... I didn't have to show anything more, and got stamped for 6 months as a tourist. No question, and the whole process was only 5 min.

I might have been lucky, but I have read about quite a few people from visa exempt (there are some in the US thread, and in the UK thread if you want to check) countries being let in the country without trouble.

If you already have the sponsorship approval, print it out. most likely, you will have it before you leave the country (looks like you applied 12th of Sept and CIC is working on that date, so you'll probably hear from them this week ), and for sure (almost, it's CIC!) when you come back... you can bring a copy of your application but I think the sponsorship letter is even better. If you get an AOR from your VO, then bring that too....

Just remember to say at the border that you have come to visit your husband ( and not say that you have moved to Canada), and you have a PR application in process. Wait until they ask to see documents - answer all questions truthfully but do not shower them with information.... it might confuse the border officer more than anything else (depending on how familiar she/he is with immigration procedures for each category...)

Good luck - I'm sure you'll be fine! enjoy your trip,
Sweden

 

[aerogurl87]

I just got back into Canada after being gone for two weeks. So here was my experience when flying in through Ednonton.

On Sunday I returned to Canada with my boyfriend who was traveling with me. I was scared to death I'd be turned around at the airport. I've been living with him for almost the past two years legally. But with a past work permit and after only spending two weeks in the US, I started to freak out when we got to customs. The officer there referred us to the immigration office and we talked to the officer there for a bit. I told her I only wanted to stay until February so I could spend the holidays with my boyfriend and his family. She checked some stuff on the computer and told me I should apply for an open work permit. I'm sure I can't since I applied outland, but I didn't argue with her over it. Then to my surprise she gave me a year long visitor record that was good for multiple entries.

 

[Ryathe]

Thank you Sweden and aerogurl87 for your replies! It DOES make me feel much better about the whole thing.

Have a great weekend!

 

[blueangel371115]

I just got back into Canada after being gone for two weeks. So here was my experience when flying in through Ednonton.

I told her I only wanted to stay until February so I could spend the holidays with my boyfriend and his family. She checked some stuff on the computer and told me I should apply for an open work permit. I'm sure I can't since I applied outland, but I didn't argue with her over it. Then to my surprise she gave me a year long visitor record that was good for multiple entries.

I want to the same thing. I am submitting in early November (outland), I'd love to be able to return home for the holidays. Is that even possible? Will I lose my application?

 

[amikety]

Your application will be fine. Outland is easier to travel on because it's presumed you're outside of Canada anyway.

Even if you were denied entry into Canada, an Outland application won't be considered abandoned.

 

[blueangel371115]

Nice!!! Much good news guys ( and gals). I love you all so much. Really I do. Because of you, I still have all my hair and my sanity I feel that I have an ally in this whole process. Much thanks.