Visiting Canada while spouse PR is processed

[SAM_2010]

I plan to apply for Spouse PR. My husband is Canadian PR.

If applying via "outland" route, can I still stay in Canada on tourist visa while PR is being processed?

Thanks a lot.

 

[PMM]

HI

I plan to apply for Spouse PR. My husband is Canadian PR.

If applying via "outland" route, can I still stay in Canada on tourist visa while PR is being processed?

Thanks a lot.

Yes

 

[Pharoh]

My only question with this, as I've posted in other threads, is what to expect from the IO when crossing the border. We're basically hoping they'll let us in, by our promising to leave within 6 months, if PR is not approved, or the visa extended? So we basically have to get them to take our word? That sounds very challenging. If any of you have done this before, what was your experience getting grilled?

 

[MizzCanAm]

For me, this was the easiest time I had coming across the border after being sent to secondary inspection. I was in the states for 3 weeks wrapping up some business and waiting for final papers to come (fingerprint letter). I told them at crossing that I wanted to stay in Canada until after the Holidays and that I was returning to Canada to send in our PR Application. He sent me to secondary inspection. The lady at the desk asked how long I wanted to stay and I said until after the Holidays. She looked me up in the computer and asked if I had sent in our App for PR. I said I was returning to Canada to do that this visit and that I had been waiting for fingerprint letter to come back. She said I see that they have limited your stays in the past (last 2 times I came across they gave me a visitor record for 3 months) and she said she didn't see a need to limit my visit and if someone else wanted to next time, they could. I had all my receipts that I had my medical done and fingerprints sent off and my receipt of fees paid and she didn't even ask to see any of those. She handed me back my passport and said I could go ahead. I didn't ask for a stamp in my passport because I know I will have to go back before my 6 months is up because I have to have my vehicle inspected.

I do believe it was all luck in who I got when I went into secondary inspection. Some of them seem to know more about the immigration process than others and if you get the correct person, they know the rules and what happens after the PR Application is sent. This doesn't mean that next time I come across it will be this easy again tho.