Easier to enter by ground or by air (visitor visa)?

[wadokai]

Hi there,

My wife is in Canada on a visitor visa while our PR file processes. The 6 month remain period is going to come to an end soon. As I understand it, if you leave the country for a day and return, you can reset the 6 month visitor period.

We did this once, by visiting the states. We were hoping PR would have processed by then, but it hasn't.

Can we redo this? Would CBSA give us hell for doing this?

Would it be easier to travel to USA by air and return by air? Or would crossing the border be okay too? I'm not sure where the CBSA is more lenient or nice. I just don't want any issues or have her be rejected.

She has a valid visitor visa, it's just I'm not sure if re-entering will be frowned up on by the CBSA. Her visitor visa is valid for 10 yrs, with multiple entries.

Plz share your thoughts on this. Thank you!

 

[Decoy24601]

You should request to extend her visitor status from within Canada. If you try to leave for a few days and come back to "reset" her status, there's a good chance you will be refused entry.

 

[mikeymyke]

What you guys are doing is called a "visa run". It's generally frowned upon and could result in troubles for your wife. Best to just apply for a visitor visa extension.

 

[truesmile]

If she has a multiple-entry TRV valid for ten years, the rules are you simply must exit and re-enter. I haven't heard of this being called a "visa run", (although the idiom makes sense). Neither have I heard it being frowned upon. If my M-I-L was to going stay on her M/E visa beyond her original six months that's exactly what we were going to do.

To answer your question though, I'd give "by air" the advantage under your circumstances.

Good luck, and update us with whatever happens.

 

[wadokai]

Well... okay so just for my knowledge....


Why would she be refused entry? As it stands her remains period ends at April 2. If we go for 5 days as "vacation", would they really mind?

I'm just trying to understand it, like if we return before her original expiration date, what would be wrong in that?

 

[Decoy24601]

It's still up to the CBSA to allow her entry. Having a visitor visa allows her to visit Canada, but it doesn't guarantee her entry. If they have any concerns that she will not return at the end of her stay or the officer is just in a bad mood, they can refuse her entry. Having a PR application in process can make this less likely, but it's still possible. Each time she comes to the Canadian border her entry is re-evaluated.

 

[Aquakitty]

If you re-enter too many times they will know and could give you a hard time. It's really up to the discretion of the CBSA officer. It's easier to just apply online for a status extension. I think it's taking like 4-5 months for a status renewal though but she'd be on implied status possibly until she gets her PR.