Re-Entry Visa for a Visitor in Canada

[SerjAhren]

Hello all. I'm a US citizen, currently a visitor in Canada with a valid visa. I've lived in Canada close to 2 years, since August 27th 2014.
I got married to a Canadian citizen on August 3rd 2015, and have been living together since then. We've applied for spousal sponsorship + open work permit this April(2016), and just waiting for approval(Gotta stay positive )

My question is, am I allowed to leave Canada to visit my parents in the States for a few days or a week and come back without problems? If not, am I required to apply for a re-entry visa?

If so, could someone direct me to the application page? I've looked all over and I just can't find it.

I've read somewhere that if I leave the country, my application will be discarded(?). Is this true? Does this apply to US citizens as well?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


-Serj

 

[scylla]

Whether you're allowed back into Canada or not will be up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border. There's nothing you can apply for that will guarantee re-entry. Seeing you're from the US, you'll most likely be allowed (but again, not guaranteed). If you leave the country your application will not be discarded. However if for some reason you're denied entry and cannot re-enter - this will become a problem for your application.

It's really a shame you applied inland - this is almost always an extremely poor way to go for Americans. The processing times for inland are extremely long. With outland, we are seeing people get through the entire process these days in just a month or two.

 

[SerjAhren]

I've applied from inland because I'm married here, and live with my wife. Currently my wife is pregnant as well with our child.

So my only choice is to take a chance?
I mean this is sort of weird, that I wouldn't be able to come back in, or that i'm stuck here for 2 years (application processing time), without being able to go and visit my parents.

 

[scylla]

I've applied from inland because I'm married here, and live with my wife. Currently my wife is pregnant as well with our child.

So my only choice is to take a chance?
I mean this is sort of weird, that I wouldn't be able to come back in, or that i'm stuck here for 2 years (application processing time), without being able to go and visit my parents.

You can apply outland while in Canada. Many of us have done that here (including my own husband).

Your choices are to either take a chance and leave - or to remain in Canada. If you decide to leave Canada, there's never a guarantee you will be allowed back in.

Yes - with inland, the general assumption is that you plan to remain in Canada without leaving.

We've had a number of Americans withdraw their inland applications and apply outland once they have realized what you're realizing now. So that's another option.

 

[Regina]

SerjAhren, if you want to be sure call CIC and ask . They do not ask for your name or address.

 

[SerjAhren]

Thank you for your quick replies. Unfortunately I can't withdraw my inland application and apply outland as we don't have that kind of money to pay for the application again (unless we get a refund?).

So for now I think all I can do is sit tight and hope I get approved fast, or take our chances and visit my family with my wife. Having my wife with me at the customs is usually a green plus, I've noticed. They just let me pass without any extra questions~