Travel while application is in process

[RachieSwain]

Hello,
I'm hoping that someone out there will be able to give me a clear idea of the issue that my husband and I are dealing with. We've filed for spouse sponsorship (I'm a Canadian and he's English) and the application has been received and is being processed (October 2013). Our issue is that my husband's sister is getting married back in the UK in July of 2014 and he would love to be there. We've heard varied responses about being able to travel from a wide variety of sources and of course the answers are totally different. We understand that it's up to the discretion of the IO at the airport but have heard terrible stories of people in our position being turned back and their applications being thrown out. We've also heard that as long as we take copies of his application and show that he has ties to Canada that he should be let back in. Is there any definitive answer that anyone can give us?
Any help would be really awesome!

Thanks

 

[screech339]

There is always an inherit risk, big or small, depending on the applicant's history, in leaving Canada during inland processing.

Usually those from visa exempt countries have the lowest chance of refusal on re-entry. Those from non-visa exempt countries have a higher risk.

Speaking of which since you mentioned that you applied inland, may I ask why you choose this route? Usually those from Britain, US tend to apply outland due to faster turnaround rates in landing as compared to inland of up to 18 months wait.

Now that's said, it is 100% up to you to make a decision and assume the risks in allowing your husband to go to Britain to attend his sister's wedding.

Most cic agents tends to overlook those who took 1 or 2 weeks max for vacation during inland processing. But it can depend on who you get at the border. You could get a person having a bad day and take it out on you on your return. Or you could get a an easy going person who couldn't care less about your vacation trip so long it was within reason.

 

[zardoz]

Hello,
I'm hoping that someone out there will be able to give me a clear idea of the issue that my husband and I are dealing with. We've filed for spouse sponsorship (I'm a Canadian and he's English) and the application has been received and is being processed (October 2013). Our issue is that my husband's sister is getting married back in the UK in July of 2014 and he would love to be there. We've heard varied responses about being able to travel from a wide variety of sources and of course the answers are totally different. We understand that it's up to the discretion of the IO at the airport but have heard terrible stories of people in our position being turned back and their applications being thrown out. We've also heard that as long as we take copies of his application and show that he has ties to Canada that he should be let back in. Is there any definitive answer that anyone can give us?
Any help would be really awesome!

Thanks

Is this an inland application or an outland one? If it's outland, it won't actually matter if he is declined reentry as far as the application is concerned. Inland however is a different matter. A POE refusal is the kiss of death to an inland application.

 

[RachieSwain]

Thank you for your input. We went with an inland application because our initial plan to return overseas after our wedding fell through and we needed to file. That said, when we first submitted the application the processing time was WAY shorter than what it is turning out to be. I guess our fear is that we will visit his family and this last year will all have been for naught. Are there any documents that we could travel with that might help establish his need to gain re-entry? If it was for anything other than a wedding we would just wait but...
Thanks again for the input!

 

[Rob_TO]

Thank you for your input. We went with an inland application because our initial plan to return overseas after our wedding fell through and we needed to file. That said, when we first submitted the application the processing time was WAY shorter than what it is turning out to be. I guess our fear is that we will visit his family and this last year will all have been for naught. Are there any documents that we could travel with that might help establish his need to gain re-entry? If it was for anything other than a wedding we would just wait but...
Thanks again for the input!

There is absolutely nothing that you can do or prepare to guarantee entry back to Canada. If it's a short trip and applicant is visa-exempt then there is a very good chance you will be let back in no problems.
But at the end of the day, it's all in the hands of the particular immigration officer you encounter. Most likely you will be ok, but just be aware of the risk.