Leave while sponsorship application is in process

[tazbed]

Hi all,

I am currently a PR, waiting to hear back from IRCC about scheduling my test for citizenship (applied in June 2019). My husband and I are ready to submit a sponsorship application very soon so he can join me. Once we apply (as a PR), I know I have to reside in Canada until the application is over. My question is am I able to travel and stay there for a couple of months for the summer at least? Note that I work part-time online and am currently a grad student - everything is online due to Covid-19. Can someone let me know if they've encountered similar circumstances?

 

[armoured]

I am currently a PR, waiting to hear back from IRCC about scheduling my test for citizenship (applied in June 2019). My husband and I are ready to submit a sponsorship application very soon so he can join me. Once we apply (as a PR), I know I have to reside in Canada until the application is over. My question is am I able to travel and stay there for a couple of months for the summer at least? Note that I work part-time online and am currently a grad student - everything is online due to Covid-19. Can someone let me know if they've encountered similar circumstances?

You will hear slightly different things and anecdotal experiences. You clearly know the basics: you are required to reside in Canada throughout the process "short trips" are clearly allowed; no, no-one knows what is in the ambit of short trips. Some will say less than a month is pretty safe, others will say a couple of months, some will say more. Basically however: under a month is likely quite safe, above that, risk grows the longer abroad. It is probably less of an issue for those clearly residing in Canada (house, long-term employment, etc)_.

One wrinkle: some claim (and even claim to have heard "from IRCC") that it's important for the PR-sponsor to be in Canada until sponsor approval is received. Again, I would say no-one knows for certain; it does seem logical and plausible that IRCC is not consistently checking physical presence of PR-sponsors in Canada throughout the process, but only at certain specific points in the process. The problem is, since sponsors rarely know exactly when their file will be "picked up" and checked (if it is checked), it gives little specific guidance about what is allowed.

My suggestion at the more cautious end of interpretations (and not an expert, only a suggestion, to be safe or at least safe-r): if you apply very soon, you will hopefully get sponsor approval quickly, and travel only after that. Keeping your trip shorter is better - it's your risk only and no-one can tell you how much more risk exactly or whether it's just luck or whatever. Obviously in terms of planning your summer you bear the risk of not knowing when you will get your sponsor approval (and it potentially changing your summer plans); if you don't get it somewhat more quickly, you can decide then what to do.

Good luck, hope this helps. None of this should be construed as 'expert advice' - it's the best that I can tell from forums and I hope it's a balanced representation. (Some will say no problem, just go - ultimately it's up to you)

 

[tazbed]

You will hear slightly different things and anecdotal experiences. You clearly know the basics: you are required to reside in Canada throughout the process "short trips" are clearly allowed; no, no-one knows what is in the ambit of short trips. Some will say less than a month is pretty safe, others will say a couple of months, some will say more. Basically however: under a month is likely quite safe, above that, risk grows the longer abroad. It is probably less of an issue for those clearly residing in Canada (house, long-term employment, etc)_.

One wrinkle: some claim (and even claim to have heard "from IRCC") that it's important for the PR-sponsor to be in Canada until sponsor approval is received. Again, I would say no-one knows for certain; it does seem logical and plausible that IRCC is not consistently checking physical presence of PR-sponsors in Canada throughout the process, but only at certain specific points in the process. The problem is, since sponsors rarely know exactly when their file will be "picked up" and checked (if it is checked), it gives little specific guidance about what is allowed.

My suggestion at the more cautious end of interpretations (and not an expert, only a suggestion, to be safe or at least safe-r): if you apply very soon, you will hopefully get sponsor approval quickly, and travel only after that. Keeping your trip shorter is better - it's your risk only and no-one can tell you how much more risk exactly or whether it's just luck or whatever. Obviously in terms of planning your summer you bear the risk of not knowing when you will get your sponsor approval (and it potentially changing your summer plans); if you don't get it somewhat more quickly, you can decide then what to do.

Good luck, hope this helps. None of this should be construed as 'expert advice' - it's the best that I can tell from forums and I hope it's a balanced representation. (Some will say no problem, just go - ultimately it's up to you)

Do you think it would be better if I waited to get citizenship so I am able to travel after we apply or with the speed of them working on the sponsorship application it's faster to apply now and stay put until we hear back?

 

[canuck78]

Do you think it would be better if I waited to get citizenship so I am able to travel after we apply or with the speed of them working on the sponsorship application it's faster to apply now and stay put until we hear back?

If you want to live together during the sponsorship process I would wait until you have citizenship before applying. You will need advise the provincial health care plan that you will be away from the country for a long period of time. You should also look at the specific residency requirement to maintain your healthcare coverage. A valid health card does not mean you actually have coverage. If you don't meet the RO for that province you can be asked to pay back any services you used. Not a big deal if you don't meet the RO, you'll need to reapply.

 

[armoured]

Do you think it would be better if I waited to get citizenship so I am able to travel after we apply or with the speed of them working on the sponsorship application it's faster to apply now and stay put until we hear back?

Don't feel there's enough info to suggest a specific course of action, and no idea about current citizenship processing. And much of this depends on what you prioritize and risks you're willing to take, strength of your sponsorship application, etc. And then there's covid and related travel issues to muddy the waters - things could come up beyond your plans.

@canuck78 makes a good point - if your plan is to reside abroad as opposed to a short visit, citizenship is important.

Otherwise my gut would be to apply for sponsorship early (it is not a quick process), adjust as necessary, and to keep trips abroad short. But that's a guess without much specific knowledge, and it has to be your decision.

 

[tazbed]

Don't feel there's enough info to suggest a specific course of action, and no idea about current citizenship processing. And much of this depends on what you prioritize and risks you're willing to take, strength of your sponsorship application, etc. And then there's covid and related travel issues to muddy the waters - things could come up beyond your plans.

@canuck78 makes a good point - if your plan is to reside abroad as opposed to a short visit, citizenship is important.

Otherwise my gut would be to apply for sponsorship early (it is not a quick process), adjust as necessary, and to keep trips abroad short. But that's a guess without much specific knowledge, and it has to be your decision.

Thanks so much! You've been very helpful. I actually just got an update today on my file to write the test for citizenship so it looks like I'll be staying to see it through. Thanks Again!

 

[armoured]

Thanks so much! You've been very helpful. I actually just got an update today on my file to write the test for citizenship so it looks like I'll be staying to see it through. Thanks Again!

Congrats. May as well get your sponsorship application in sooner, then.