Can I leave Canada after submitting Parents Sponsorship Application?

[canuck78]

Travel outside the country for a brief period should not jeopardize the sponsorship application. I co-sponsored my inlaws in 2017 and they landed. Before covid, we used to make frequent grocery/gas day trips to the US sometimes twice a month and also occasional road trips / international flight travels. I understand living in Canada is boring, so we often travel to see the outside world.

Going on a day trip to a US border town to get supplies isn’t even technically treated as a day outside of Canada when counting days towards RO. Spending a few hours to get gas and groceries is not treated the same as a vacation outside Canada. This is part of daily life in many border regions and may even be the shortest way to get groceries, gas, etc. in some communities. Working in a border city in the US will also be looked at differently than a vacation abroad.

 

[armoured]

4 trips of 2-3 weeks is a lot of travel outside. 12 weeks outside Canada in one year is a substantial amount of vacation time abroad. Even 3 trips of 3 weeks is 9 weeks outside Canada. Most living in Canada don’t even get 2 weeks of paid vacation so 12 weeks (even 9 weeks) is a substantial amount of travel outside Canada in a year. Go nuts with travel within Canada but would limit it to up to 2 trips of 2-3 weeks outside Canada. That is already more than the average amount of international holiday time average people enjoy. If the goal is trying to make sure there are no risks when it comes to their PGP application don’t believe suggesting that 9-12 weeks of international holiday time per year, even if in multiple trips, isn’t risky.

Ok, I assume this means, as so often, that no, you do not have a single case that supports your point.

 

[throwawayquestion123]

4 trips of 2-3 weeks is a lot of travel outside. 12 weeks outside Canada in one year is a substantial amount of vacation time abroad. Even 3 trips of 3 weeks is 9 weeks outside Canada. Most living in Canada don’t even get 2 weeks of paid vacation so 12 weeks (even 9 weeks) is a substantial amount of travel outside Canada in a year. Go nuts with travel within Canada but would limit it to up to 2 trips of 2-3 weeks outside Canada. That is already more than the average amount of international holiday time average people enjoy. If the goal is trying to make sure there are no risks when it comes to their PGP application don’t believe suggesting that 9-12 weeks of international holiday time per year, even if in multiple trips, isn’t risky.

Ive lived all over the place in Canada, and to me its not that interesting nor cheap compared with the rest of the world. I get 8 weeks of vacation per year from work (aside from sick days) - so I want to utilize that. I can prove that my work gives me this amount of vacation per year, so I dont see why this would be a problem with IRCC. There is no definition of a resident in terms of physical presence to the IRCC anywhere, so by having a job, address, pay my taxes, and travel within my vacation days from work - that "shouldnt" be risky in my opinion.

 

[steaky]

Going on a day trip to a US border town to get supplies isn’t even technically treated as a day outside of Canada when counting days towards RO. Spending a few hours to get gas and groceries is not treated the same as a vacation outside Canada. This is part of daily life in many border regions and may even be the shortest way to get groceries, gas, etc. in some communities. Working in a border city in the US will also be looked at differently than a vacation abroad.

At least the cross border grocery trips are technically going outside the country. Look the poster is bored in Canada and going to the US even for couple of hours might be better than not going for vacation abroad.

 

[steaky]

Ive lived all over the place in Canada, and to me its not that interesting nor cheap compared with the rest of the world. I get 8 weeks of vacation per year from work (aside from sick days) - so I want to utilize that. I can prove that my work gives me this amount of vacation per year, so I dont see why this would be a problem with IRCC. There is no definition of a resident in terms of physical presence to the IRCC anywhere, so by having a job, address, pay my taxes, and travel within my vacation days from work - that "shouldnt" be risky in my opinion.

Yes, go vacation abroad (even to the US) to relieve such boredom in Canada. Just keep the overseas vacation brief.

 

[steaky]

Can't say I feel a lot of sympathy for your cause. Your mission, to date, has been to get yourself positioned to sponsor parents and sibling to Canada, You, on the other hand, cannot stand life in the frozen wasteland of Canada and have "a life that I want to enjoy overseas". That suggests that once you get parents/siblings to Canada, you'll dump them in the cold and get the hell out of Dodge, back to the tropics. Just what then, is the attraction in bringing them to Canada? Why not enjoy life all together in the overseas paradise?

Also, why not spend just a little more on your top notch lawyer and pose the question you are asking here to said lawyer? I would have to think an answer from that source might be more trustworthy than any you are likely to get here. I say that, recognizing that some who have addressed your question already in this thread are really quite knowledgeable in these matters. I am not in their league, hence I have not volunteered my on view on the topic.

Canada is not year round a frozen wasteland. One can enjoy water sports and hiking in the summer months. If you enjoy the frozen wasteland so much, I guess you loves live in the high artic?

 

[armoured]

Ive lived all over the place in Canada, and to me its not that interesting nor cheap compared with the rest of the world. I get 8 weeks of vacation per year from work (aside from sick days) - so I want to utilize that.

I think if you keep your individual trips below a month at a time, you should be fine. There is some risk if you decide to take more extended periods of time abroad. As noted, this is personal opinion. As shown and despite the ridiculous squeals claiming Canadians only get two weeks a year and the absurd implication that more than that constitutes moving abroad, there's no evidence I'm aware of that multiple shorter trips - within reason, and returning to Canada in between - would be interpreted as residing abroad. IRCC definition of 'within reason' and yours might differ, however.

I can prove that my work gives me this amount of vacation per year, so I dont see why this would be a problem with IRCC. There is no definition of a resident in terms of physical presence to the IRCC anywhere, so by having a job, address, pay my taxes, and travel within my vacation days from work - that "shouldnt" be risky in my opinion.

This is all well and good but I repeat - there is no practical venue in which you could appeal or 'prove' or argue what you think shouldn't be a problem. Likewise, the fact that they haven't defined a specific meaning of resident doesn't help you, really - this isn't some court legal/criminal procedure where the burden of proof is in your favour, nor some 'beyond reasonable doubt' type of standard.

That said, see above - I don't think they're actively attempting to stop people from normal short-term travel, even multiple trips. But they may well see trips beyond a month as not just a short trip abroad.

 

[Copingwithlife]

But as the IRCC is probably aware , you give people a inch , they’ll take a mile

Aka , pushing the envelope

 

[armoured]

But as the IRCC is probably aware , you give people a inch , they’ll take a mile

That is a reasonable point.

So I'll be the first to say (and I think I have): yeah, they seem to mean it, and if they decide you've 'taken a mile', that's your problem.

Doesn't mean we have to make it all out to be the spanish inquisition, either.

 

[throwawayquestion123]

I think if you keep your individual trips below a month at a time, you should be fine. There is some risk if you decide to take more extended periods of time abroad. As noted, this is personal opinion. As shown and despite the ridiculous squeals claiming Canadians only get two weeks a year and the absurd implication that more than that constitutes moving abroad, there's no evidence I'm aware of that multiple shorter trips - within reason, and returning to Canada in between - would be interpreted as residing abroad. IRCC definition of 'within reason' and yours might differ, however.



This is all well and good but I repeat - there is no practical venue in which you could appeal or 'prove' or argue what you think shouldn't be a problem. Likewise, the fact that they haven't defined a specific meaning of resident doesn't help you, really - this isn't some court legal/criminal procedure where the burden of proof is in your favour, nor some 'beyond reasonable doubt' type of standard.

That said, see above - I don't think they're actively attempting to stop people from normal short-term travel, even multiple trips. But they may well see trips beyond a month as not just a short trip abroad.

But i got a question - If they dont track people, and if my address is at my friend's (if i get any mail, he would alert me). How would they know that I am abroad for a long time? Not sure If i understand, but when and how would they "track" me down?

 

[armoured]

But i got a question - If they dont track people, and if my address is at my friend's (if i get any mail, he would alert me). How would they know that I am abroad for a long time? Not sure If i understand, but when and how would they "track" me down?

They have access to entry/exit records.

 

[Copingwithlife]

But i got a question - If they dont track people, and if my address is at my friend's (if i get any mail, he would alert me). How would they know that I am abroad for a long time? Not sure If i understand, but when and how would they "track" me down?

Because it’s 2022 cusp of 2023 (not 1975) and this notation is on customs declaration to give people the heads up their data is collected for enforcement & compliance

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.html
“Information provided is collected under the authority of Section 12 of the Customs Act to facilitate compliance with the traveller’s obligation with Subsection 5(3), Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations, and enables the collection of duty and taxes payable on imported goods. This information may be disclosed to other government departments and agencies, police forces and other Countries to administer or enforce Canadian Legislation.”

Note the last sentence in bold

Data is collected for departing passengers & arriving and is then dispersed to other departments & agencies . The IRCC being one. It’s used so individuals don’t attempt to circumvent policies in place . ESDC uses the data to enforce compliance with benefits . The CRA does the same for benefits . The IRCC would as well
When I worked at the ESDC individuals who left the country and still were claiming benefits they weren’t entitled too would get a rude awakening when they’d have said benefits clawed back & penalties assessed. ESDC would get their arrival & departure record data from customs . That’s an example how individuals are “ tracked “, when out of the country

 

[throwawayquestion123]

My tongue-in-cheek frozen wasteland comment drew sustenance from the OP's lament " I have to remain here in the cold for another 3 years". The OP seems discontented with the Canadian climate. Me, I have lived in different parts of Canada and other parts of the world, including the tropics, where I am now. Overall, I find the climate in most parts of Canada quite agreeable, winter and summer. I appreciate changing seasons.

No. Winter in Canada is not agreeable. It is extreme. And i lived in the Northern territories - it was a frozen hell.

 

[throwawayquestion123]

Because it’s 2022 cusp of 2023 (not 1975) and this notation is on customs declaration to give people the heads up their data is collected for enforcement & compliance

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.html
“Information provided is collected under the authority of Section 12 of the Customs Act to facilitate compliance with the traveller’s obligation with Subsection 5(3), Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations, and enables the collection of duty and taxes payable on imported goods. This information may be disclosed to other government departments and agencies, police forces and other Countries to administer or enforce Canadian Legislation.”

Note the last sentence in bold

Data is collected for departing passengers & arriving and is then dispersed to other departments & agencies . The IRCC being one. It’s used so individuals don’t attempt to circumvent policies in place . ESDC uses the data to enforce compliance with benefits . The CRA does the same for benefits . The IRCC would as well
When I worked at the ESDC individuals who left the country and still were claiming benefits they weren’t entitled too would get a rude awakening when they’d have said benefits clawed back & penalties assessed. ESDC would get their arrival & departure record data from customs . That’s an example how individuals are “ tracked “, when out of the country

I totally understand your point, but their system is not set up to track/alert based on the people's movement. Meaning, only if something came up, then they would dig into the resident location and the individual's file. Its not like its an automatic system that would give an alert if a person goes and live outside of Canada, unless something comes up.
I know much people who live outside of Canada (they have been living oversea for years), and till this day they renew their healthcards/pension/other benefits as if they are residents in Canada- not noticed. I came across a canadian citizen who only lived in Canada for 1 week his whole life (His parents landed in canada, drove to New york using their other passport, and flew from NY to their hometown. Meanwhile, their lawyer was using their debt cards, phones...etc. and when they got the citizenship invitation, they came and took their passports).

I dont condone such behavior, as I did everything legally and worked hard to get where i am.But i am trying to show that such immigration system, is not the smartest whatsoever.

 

[armoured]

I totally understand your point, but their system is not set up to track/alert based on the people's movement.

Yes, they have access, doesn't mean they always check, or how often, or in which cases. Want to risk it - it's up to you.