Leaving and re-entering Canada & BC Driving Eligibility (Awaiting PR)

[joeschmoe88]

Hi folks,

I'm an Irish citizen and have been here in Vancouver for almost 3 months now. I submitted my PR application via the London office on 11th December but have not received anything back yet in terms of confirmation. I am planning to travel down to the states (Washington) for a day trip on Sunday, crossing the border by land and I just have a couple of questions:

- In terms of what I should say to the border official when re-entering, would it be best to explain the situation fully as it is even though I don't have any physical confirmation from CIC of my application submission OR should I just keep it simple and say that I am still just travelling in Canada? I am not sure which scenario will give the border official more assurance that I will leave Canada when my tourist visa expires. Also, should I expect to receive a full additional 6 month visitor visa upon re-entry?

- I also have a question in relation to being eligible to drive here in BC. As far as I understand, Irish citizens visiting Canada can drive on their Irish driving license for up to 90 days after arriving in Canada. Does anybody know if this 90 days will be reset if I re-enter Canada on Sunday? i.e. will I get a further 90 days of being able to legally drive on my Irish driving license before I need to do the test to convert to a BC license.

Thanks all!

 

[chipits]

- I also have a question in relation to being eligible to drive here in BC. As far as I understand, Irish citizens visiting Canada can drive on their Irish driving license for up to 90 days after arriving in Canada. Does anybody know if this 90 days will be reset if I re-enter Canada on Sunday? i.e. will I get a further 90 days of being able to legally drive on my Irish driving license before I need to do the test to convert to a BC license.

If you're visiting it's six months, not 90 days. You need to change your license to a BC license within 90 days of MOVING to BC, but if you're on a visitors visa then six months.

I THINK if you even just go to Alberta (or the US) for a day it resets the six month clock, but I'm not 100% certain of that. I've read that online before, but I've never confirmed it with ICBC.

 

[Sweden]

Hi folks,

I'm an Irish citizen and have been here in Vancouver for almost 3 months now. I submitted my PR application via the London office on 11th December but have not received anything back yet in terms of confirmation. I am planning to travel down to the states (Washington) for a day trip on Sunday, crossing the border by land and I just have a couple of questions:

- In terms of what I should say to the border official when re-entering, would it be best to explain the situation fully as it is even though I don't have any physical confirmation from CIC of my application submission OR should I just keep it simple and say that I am still just travelling in Canada? I am not sure which scenario will give the border official more assurance that I will leave Canada when my tourist visa expires. Also, should I expect to receive a full additional 6 month visitor visa upon re-entry?


it's always up to the border officer to let you in again, but it should be fine. I think it's best to be up-front with the border officer, say that you are visiting your spouse in Canada and waiting for the PR to come through. Bring with you a copy of the fee receipt to show that you have paid for it already, and you're serious about applying for PR. If you have it, bring with you the post tracker that shows the parcel delivered to Mississauga. I doubt you will be asked for it, but it's best to have the proofs with you just in case.

about what to expect - you could get 6 months, or less - it depends on the border officer. I was granted 6 months when I came in through Vancouver airport a few months ago, and I explained that I was waiting for the PR to come through ( I had all the proofs but was not asked for one...). If you get less, just make sure that you extend your visitor visa ( online or paperform) before it expires, to keep your visa valid.
Just make sure that you use the "right words" - you're not moving to Canada, you're visiting your spouse.
Good luck!


- I also have a question in relation to being eligible to drive here in BC. As far as I understand, Irish citizens visiting Canada can drive on their Irish driving license for up to 90 days after arriving in Canada. Does anybody know if this 90 days will be reset if I re-enter Canada on Sunday? i.e. will I get a further 90 days of being able to legally drive on my Irish driving license before I need to do the test to convert to a BC license.
not sure about that one, call ICBC to check with them.
Thanks all!

 

[truesmile]

I would expect the 6-month clock to be reset on any "exit" and "re-entry". Similarly as I (being a foreigner) am allowed to drive in the Philippines for 30 days, and a 1-day exit to Hong Kong and re-entry back would give me another 30 days. Not sure the Vancouver police would split hairs with you on that anyway.

 

[chipits]

I doubt the cops would care either, I would worry about ICBC in case of an accident though, if you'd have to make a claim.

 

[Darrppy78]

Hey,

Just wondering in the same line. If my PR card is not yet out and I need to travel back home for a while will that cause issues at the airport. I notice that some peoples' cards have taken months. Can I use my visa to travel back home again and get back to Canada (walk past airport authorities) without issues??

 

[scylla]

I would expect the 6-month clock to be reset on any "exit" and "re-entry". Similarly as I (being a foreigner) am allowed to drive in the Philippines for 30 days, and a 1-day exit to Hong Kong and re-entry back would give me another 30 days. Not sure the Vancouver police would split hairs with you on that anyway.

The clock isn't always reset if you go for a visit to the US and then return to Canada. Sometimes they don't re-stamp the passport. That's really the one exception.