Is it ok to travel for Family illness/death duties while waiting for PR Visa?

[johnnybgoode]

Hi all ---

My sponsored wife (U.K. citz) needs to visit her Mother in the U.K. as she has only days to live. We are currently in Canada.

The PR Visa has been approved & paid for (new medical papers submitted) - we have an extended visitors' visa valid until next April.

We are wondering if it is ok for my wife to travel under the circumstances although she has been instructed 'not to travel'. If there are any official procedures we should follow, please let us know.

Many Thanks in advance for any info ---

John.

 

[medellinguy]

As I think a lot of people will tell you : it's a bet.....you might have zero problems but you might have some...it all depends but I guess it's easier since your sponsored wife doesn't come from a country where a Visitor Visa is needed to enter in Canada

 

[minna]

unfortunately, if she travels, she runs the risk of not being re-admitted to canada upon her return. A visitor's visa becomes invalid once you leave the country.

if you are applying inland for her PR, she must be present in canada until her PR is granted - therefore, if she is not admitted to Canada, then her application will be thrown out.

if you have applied outland for her PR, then she may just have to stay in the UK until her PR is granted, but her application won't necessarily be jeopardized.

basically if she leaves the country, for any reason, that invalidates her visitor's visa. if she is an outland applicant, that might be ok and she may be able to easily get another one. But if you have applied inland, you run the risk of having to start all over from square one with the entire application.

 

[johnnybgoode]

Hi medellingguy & minna ----

Many thanks for quick the replies -- that is a drag.

We were hoping under the circumstances that she would be allowed to leave and return to Canada. Our only hope is that the PR visa arrives quickly (yeh right) and she'll be able to travel.

Thanks again --

John.

 

[plumosa]

yes you run the risk of being denied entry, but the more important question is, will your wife regret it for the rest of her life if she's not there at her mother's deathbed? Applications can be refiled, but being there for a loved one at the time of death cannot...

 

[potcakes]

I too am waiting for my PR to come through, we applied INLAND. Unfortunately my dad got diagnosed with renal cancer in May this year and I faced the same dilemma. I lasted until august when I booked a flight and went home for a couple of weeks. I came back to Canada no problem, I then had to leave again 3 weeks later for 3 weeks. Again I got in no problem.

I come from a visa exempt country, however I still presented an out bound ticket.
I armed myself with all the info:
Drivers licence for me and my husband
Copy of husbands passport
Rent agreement
Bank statement (joint)
credit cards
Pictures of us together
My visitor visa
A copy of my work permit
Letters from CIC stating we had been approved in principle

Be humble, dress smart, smile. and we will all keep our fingers crossed.

 

[johnnybgoode]

Hi potcakes & plumosa ---

Thanks for the info --- we'll sleep on it tonight, but right now we've decided not to take the risk. See how we go.

thanks again for the support --

J.

 

[Holidaylove]

Did you apply inland or outland?
If you applied outland she should be able to travel freely

 

[eyeoftheocean]

Write to The British embassy if you have been Approved in Principle you can get a letter from CIC no problem .

 

[johnnybgoode]

Hi HolidayLove & eyeoftheocean --

we re-started/re-applied from Canada once we arrived -- i.e. as 'inland'.

...we will definitely pursue the call to the British Embassy! I'll report back with any results.

many thanks for yr help and info --

J.

 

[kiwikris]

Maybe try calling CIC here and see if they can put a rush on things or make an exception???

 

[johnnybgoode]

Hey kiwikris ---

we've been onto CIC by phone already - but as you can imagine...its busy. we'll be trying them again tomorrow.

cheers,

J.

 

[angelbrat]

As others have posted arm yourself with all the info and if you can, get a Dr's cert or official letter stating the reason why you had to return to the UK.

I doubt even the IO's at the Border are that heartless, that when they are presented with proof like that, they will not allow you back into Canada.

 

[johnnybgoode]

Hi angelbrat ----

thnx for the reply. absolutely - go armed w/ info & certs. - we are arranging a meet @ the U.K. consulate to help things along.

we've also found that Air Canada offer berevement flight prices.... for anyone who find themselves in a similiar situation in the future, the info is here ;

http://bit.ly/c3u7jY

thanks to eveyone for the help and info.

J.

 

[Toolman19562003]

Hi johnnybgoode
My Dad pastaway in Jan last yr i am from calif and i am here in NS canada so i went to immigmation to ask if i could go and come back .Well the answer i got was it would be up to the immigmation officer to let me in or not. SO that told me it would be a 50/50 chance either way.So i did not go home that was the haedest thing i had to do. So i know what your wife is feeling.