Can you leave Canada for an emergency while inland sponsorship in progress ?

[sammyN]

I had a question to ask .. Can the person being sponsored for inland PR leave canada for a short emergency trip (e.g. someone passing away in home country, etc.), along with the person sponsoring ?

My husband is a Canada PR holder and I have Canada TRV Visa. We are thinking of moving to Canada where he will initiate inland sponsorship for me while also applying for open work permit (OWP). I'm just not sure if leaving Canada for a short emergency trip would be possible or not.

 

[mikeymyke]

Only if the trip will be short, like 2 weeks or less

 

[sammyN]

Only if the trip will be short, like 2 weeks or less

Thanks. Why just a 2 week trip max ? ... If someone close passes away in your home country, isn't it okay to remain with them like a month ?

 

[mikeymyke]

More than a couple weeks, sponsor will be considered not a resident of Canada, and inland sponsors must reside in Canada

 

[Jiro]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=248&top=28

Yes you can leave. The main point is that you ensure you meet all requirements for re-entering Canada. ie: visas, ETA, good standing, etc.

If you have an OWP and you leave for the purpose of family/visits, there will/should be no issue returning. OWP is a valid work permit and bundles the ETA. Notice there is absolutely no mention of maximum time spent abroad. But use common sense. Spending 6 months is pushing it. Most visits are 2-4 weeks long.

FYI. my spouse left Canada during the PR application process for 5 weeks to care for an ailing grandparent. We returned without so much as a question from the agent. Passport is connected to the OWP's number, they see it when they scan the passport. The agent didn't even ask why we were gone for that time.