Client Portal
+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445
  • Forums
  • Temporary Entry to Canada
  • International Students

Can I leave Canada while my visitor visa is in process?

S

SMBaltodano

Newbie
Aug 11, 2022
4
0
Hello Everyone!

I am currently a full-time international student with a valid study permit expiring in November 2025. However, my visa has already expired which means if I leave Canada now, I would not be able to return unless I get a new visitor visa. Therefore, I applied for a visitor visa from "Inside Canada" on October 12th, but I have not yet received a response, and my travel is supposed to be on December 13th.

I have a few questions regarding my situation:
1) If I leave Canada while my application is still being processed, once they approve my visa will I be able to send my passport to the IRRC without having any problem?
2) Should I decide to leave Canada and notify the IRCC via a webform, will they transfer my application to an office abroad or can I continue the process as if I were still in Canada? What implications does this means, longer waiting time? (I plan to return to Canada on December 30th)
3) It has been 49 days since I submitted my application, and it is still in the background check phase with the status We are processing your background check. We will send you a message if we need more information. Do you think I can still make it on time for my travel on December 13th?
4) What do you recommend me to do in my case?

Thanks, in advanced!
 
F

forevermore76

Hero Member
May 19, 2024
663
207
SMBaltodano said:
Hello Everyone!

I am currently a full-time international student with a valid study permit expiring in November 2025. However, my visa has already expired which means if I leave Canada now, I would not be able to return unless I get a new visitor visa. Therefore, I applied for a visitor visa from "Inside Canada" on October 12th, but I have not yet received a response, and my travel is supposed to be on December 13th.

I have a few questions regarding my situation:
1) If I leave Canada while my application is still being processed, once they approve my visa will I be able to send my passport to the IRRC without having any problem?
2) Should I decide to leave Canada and notify the IRCC via a webform, will they transfer my application to an office abroad or can I continue the process as if I were still in Canada? What implications does this means, longer waiting time? (I plan to return to Canada on December 30th)
3) It has been 49 days since I submitted my application, and it is still in the background check phase with the status We are processing your background check. We will send you a message if we need more information. Do you think I can still make it on time for my travel on December 13th?
4) What do you recommend me to do in my case?

Thanks, in advanced!
Click to expand...
If you leave Canada, your application technically changes from inland to outland. In theory, the application should be transferred to the nearest mission based on your residence but if the application is close to a decision they might only transfer when passport is ready to be requested. You must inform IRCC immediately that you have left Canada and provide them your new mailing address overseas.

Processing times are different everywhere and it's extremely unlikely you will have a TRV by Dec 30. The only other way to gain entry would be coming through US via land border. It's not guaranteed but you might be admitted.

Overall (imo), you will be stuck outside Canada for a long period of time and jeopardize your student status.
 
S

SMBaltodano

Newbie
Aug 11, 2022
4
0
Good morning @forevermore76

Two days ago, on December 5th I received a new notification in my file which was the correspondence letter stating that my biometrics were accepted. Now my profile in the GCKey platform shows the following message:
"
Latest update:
Final decision - December 5, 2024: Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.
"

However, when I check my application status in the "Application Status Tracker account" aka "IRCC tracker" it shows the following:

1. Under Activities:
1.1. Biometrics: Completed
1.2. Eligibility: Completed
1.3. Medical Exam: Not started (I do not require exams)
1.4. Background verification: In progress

So, it seems that everything is finished except for the background verification. However, when I go to the "Document status" section and then "Visitor Visa details" I can see the details of a new visitor visa:

Visitor Visa Document number: EXXXXXXXXX
Expiry date: Jul 02, 2028 (the same date of my passport's expiration date)
Travel document number: XXXXXXXXX (my current passport number)
Issuing country: my country of origin

Do you know what this means? Thanks in advance!
 
F

forevermore76

Hero Member
May 19, 2024
663
207
SMBaltodano said:
Good morning @forevermore76

Two days ago, on December 5th I received a new notification in my file which was the correspondence letter stating that my biometrics were accepted. Now my profile in the GCKey platform shows the following message:
"
Latest update:
Final decision - December 5, 2024: Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.
"

However, when I check my application status in the "Application Status Tracker account" aka "IRCC tracker" it shows the following:

1. Under Activities:
1.1. Biometrics: Completed
1.2. Eligibility: Completed
1.3. Medical Exam: Not started (I do not require exams)
1.4. Background verification: In progress

So, it seems that everything is finished except for the background verification. However, when I go to the "Document status" section and then "Visitor Visa details" I can see the details of a new visitor visa:

Visitor Visa Document number: EXXXXXXXXX
Expiry date: Jul 02, 2028 (the same date of my passport's expiration date)
Travel document number: XXXXXXXXX (my current passport number)
Issuing country: my country of origin

Do you know what this means? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
It means your TRV is approved and they should be requesting Passport soon. Final decision will update after your passport has been stamped with visa and sent to you. Background verification can stay ''in progress" even after final decision is updated so I won't worry about it.

Which country are you travelling to?
 
H

Hly

Newbie
Jul 7, 2018
4
0
I am in the similar situation. My current study permit and study visa will expire on January 30, 2025.

I applied for a study permit extension on October 1, 2024, and am currently awaiting approval. I need to leave Canada on February 20, 2025, for two weeks due to family matters. Additionally, I hold a visitor visa that is valid until 2026, which I applied for before my study visa.

In my case, do I need to extend my study visa to re-enter Canada and continue my studies, or can I re-enter using my visitor visa? Is my visitor visa still valid while I hold a study visa?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.