Returning to Canada on Work Visa after Landed Immigrant

[karthikb23]

Hi,
I've been working in Canada and have a valid work visa and permit.
My status changed to being Permanent Resident at the start of this month i.e. I re-entered Canada as an Immigrant.

I have a 3 day Business trip to the U.S. coming up next week. So applying for a travel document is not an option.

Since I have not received my Permanent Resident card as yet and my visa is still valid, can I leave Canada and re-enter on my visa?

I am unable to find anything around this on the CIC site.
Appreciate any help or guidance on this.

Thanks!

 

[zardoz]

Once you became a permanent resident, all your Canadian visas became void.
Assuming that you are not visa-exempt to Canada as a visitor, you either need a travel document or you need to cross the border in a private vehicle or on foot.

 

[Dejaavu]

I would call CBSA and CIC and find out.

Unless the CIC canceled your existing visa with a stamp on it, the airlines will let you board by seeing your work visa.

Once you are at the port of entry, they may lecture you to use PR card to enter Canada as a PR holder.

Best to call CBSA and CIC to find out.

 

[Msafiri]

If your work visa was not cancelled without prejudice then show it at check in and deal with the PR Card issue at the Port of Entry.

 

[karthikb23]

I called CIC and they said that while my visa was technically invalid indeed (Note: It is not cancelled and valid until 2015), I can re-enter with my Confirmation Of Permanent Resident and mention that it was a business trip that caused me to leave.
They can find me on their system.

They asked me to convince the airline to let me board ;D.
I can show the airline my valid visa - this one's going to be interesting!

Will update this thread once (and if ) I return.

 

[Dejaavu]

You will be fine. It sounds like they didn't put a cancellation stamp on your passport so you should be fine. Airlines will see the valid visa and it should be fine. No problem.

Good that you called. So if CBSA gives you a headache, you can mention you called CIC.

 

[karthikb23]

I'm back - was super smooth and absolutely no questions asked along the way.

Just showed my Visa to the airline and my COPR at CBSA ;D

 

[zardoz]

Well done...

 

[anyta66]

Just a quick question did you travel to the US or to some other country? I am just wondering as I need to travel to Latin America, in a business trip as well.

Thanks for your feedback!