Visiting While Waiting - Clarification, I hope?

[KristyE]

It seems people flip back and forth and there doesn't seem to be much consensus about it, so to clarify:

If my American husband wants to stay in Canada while waiting for CoPR, what should he say at the border? That he's applying for PR? Or does he keep it quiet and say he'll be leaving in six months?

I get that it's a "better safe than sorry" situation, and that it's all a bit up in the air because border crossing is pretty subjective, but these are pretty dichotomous--so which is the safer play?

It also seems to me that saying he's got a job to go back to--six months from now--is a bit of a stretch, so we're going to be relying on a letter from his landlord and a return ticket if that's the way we go.

Anyone have experiences to share?

 

[Ponga]

This may be of interest to you:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/dual-intent-why-are-so-many-afraid-to-come-as-visitor-with-pr-in-process-t72072.0.html



The reason WHY some people flip back and forth, is simply because there is no blueprint on how to do what you're trying to do. Period!


Of utmost importance is to NEVER lie to a CBSA officer, yet at the same time...many people simply provide `just enough' information to satisfy the officer and his/her questions.

It's true that a person from a visa-exempt country is allowed to stay in Canada for up to 180 days, unless told otherwise by the officer. It is also true that many people will say that they are `planning' to stay in Canada for a much shorter duration (with a pre-purchased, refundable return ticket) but then `change their mind' and decide to extend their stay, which is perfectly legal/acceptable to do. All they need to do is simply apply to extend their stay while they are in Canada, which, with a PR application submitted, is generally approved (but not guaranteed, obviously). If the request is denied, they need to leave Canada.

For that simple reason, some (perhaps many) people could not take a 6 month vacation, so I suspect that CBSA would indeed wonder how/why your husband is so special, in terms of his employer's willingness to hold his position for so long.

The letter from his landlord might help, but he's better off, IMHO, showing that he has sufficient funds to cover his visit and/or your willingness to look after him [financially] while he is here.

Lastly, he may need to show that he has traveler's insurance in case he needs medical attention while he's here (if requesting 6 months stay).


If you do decide it's best to play the "We will be submitting a PR application" card, it would be good if he has a copy of the receipt for the fees, as well as any other documentation that would corroborate this information. Even if you haven't submitted the application, paying the fees is a pretty strong indicator that the application itself, is not far behind.

Good luck!

 

[KristyE]

Thanks so much for the link, Ponga, checking it out right now