Crossing Border -- Does the Sponsor have to be there?

[JonDeaneStewart]

Hi All,

Quick question -- I am the sponsor for my American wife. We both live in San Diego. We are moving to Calgary and have received our CoPR. To cross the border for the first time to start the process of getting the actual Permanent Resident Card do I (the sponsor) have to go with my wife (the applicant)?

We're just trying to work out schedules etc and it would be easier for her to fly in by herself to be sure we get the PR Card process started without me for one day before returning to the states to finish things up before our actual move date.

Thanks for any help!

 

[scylla]

Your wife can certainly cross alone - no need for you to be there.

 

[Avadava]

The sponsor doesn't have to be present at the landing. However, your wife will need to provide a Canadian mailing address, that's where her PR will be sent. The problem you might have is her returning to the States after the landing. She would need her PR card upon entering Canada again, but since she is planning to go back to US right after the landing, then she won't have the card.
I read about a similar situation and I think in that case the US spouse entered back in Canada as a tourist. I'm not sure how this will go. The CBSA will see in the computer that she is a PR.
Maybe others can advise you better.

 

[JonDeaneStewart]

Hi Scylla and Avadava,

Thanks so much for your quick responses. Do you happen to know any sources etc that confirms this? We might book my wife on a plane tomorrow if this is the case so I would love some confirmation.

Thanks!

Jon

 

[scylla]

I can comment since my husband is America.

Since your wife is visa exempt, she will not need the PR card to re-enter Canada.

My husband left and re-entered Canada three times between the time he landed (and became a PR) and the time his PR card was issued. No problems.

 

[Avadava]

Hi Scylla and Avadava,

Thanks so much for your quick responses. Do you happen to know any sources etc that confirms this? We might book my wife on a plane tomorrow if this is the case so I would love some confirmation.

Thanks!

Jon

Regarding the Landing without the sponsor present I can't show you any sources other than the experiences of other people who have done it successfully. There is only one rule that I know of, but that is the case when the principal applicant has dependents included in the application. The dependents cannot land before the principal applicant.

Regarding leaving Canada after you land without a PR card: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=064&t=10

 

[Avadava]

Since your wife is visa exempt, she will not need the PR card to re-enter Canada.

My husband left and re-entered Canada three times between the time he landed (and became a PR) and the time his PR card was issued. No problems.

Yes, I've heard it is possible, I just wasn't sure of how this works. Thanks for the info scylla.

 

[Alurra71]

Hi All,

Quick question -- I am the sponsor for my American wife. We both live in San Diego. We are moving to Calgary and have received our CoPR. To cross the border for the first time to start the process of getting the actual Permanent Resident Card do I (the sponsor) have to go with my wife (the applicant)?

We're just trying to work out schedules etc and it would be easier for her to fly in by herself to be sure we get the PR Card process started without me for one day before returning to the states to finish things up before our actual move date.

Thanks for any help!

For an outland landing procedure, the sponsor does NOT need to be there. The only time the sponsor needs to accompany their spouse is for an Inland application and the finalization of the COPR. They even send you a letter stating you and your sponsor must attend the landing interview. No such thing is needed for an outland application. Your wife only need bring her passport, her COPR, and B4 information she is ready with and herself.