Question about entering Canada while app is in process

[polixenes]

My wife is Canadian, I am a Brit, we have 2 kids with dual nationality, and we all live overseas.

We are about to start the process for my permanent residence application, and once it is approved we intend to move to Canada (BC) to retire.

A couple of questions, while the app process is in the works we will want to visit Canada for vacation and family visits. Will I have a problem doing this once my application is filed?

And secondly, suppose my wife and children move permanently to Canada before my app is complete, with me accompanying them intending to be a temporary resident until such time as my approval is decided. Is there a process I can follow to make this permissible?

If it makes a difference I will not be seeking employment and we have sufficient financial means to not need to work.

 

[Kayaker]

Vacation and family visits - absolutely no problem, since you'd have a return ticket. Just in case, bing proof of your PR application, though it's not likely you'd be asked for it.

As a UK citizen you can just enter as a "visitor" - some people recommend having a return ticket dated in 5 months' time, but you can also get a fully refundable one-way "return" ticket and refund it after you're in Canada. You should just make it clear that you are willing and capable of leaving once your time is up, and you know you cannot work or study. If they don't stamp any "end date" on your passport it means you can stay 6 months. (Or they may stamp you for less.) In either case, you can apply for an extension of your visitor status online - costs 100$, takes about 4 weeks, and is fairly straightforward.

 

[polixenes]

Thank you Kayaker, that's a great weight off my mind.

 

[taffy7]

All great information from Kayaker. Remember to make sure you have travel insurance as a visitor you won't get heath care . Also if you are bring your goods via sea you will need to have b4 forms or goods to follow once you land permanently . Do some research on that one as i don't know what it entails with you wife bringing goods into Canada.