READ THIS if you are confused about "Re-enter Canada with Inland PR application"

[kacy12]

This only applies to people who have a Valid Status in Canada, here I will mainly talk about people who got a valid OWP under the pilot program:

A lot of people have been asking the same questions, ie:

"Can I re-enter Canada when applying for PR with a Valid OWP"
" On my OWP it says "OWP does not guarantee re-entry", Does that mean I can't come back if I leave?"
" Will my OWP get cancelled if I leave the country?"


And there are a quite few people are saying things like:
" Do not leave the country because OWP does not guarantee re-entry."
" Leave your OWP at home when you entry the country" (one of the most stupid comments I ever read here).
" if you are from a visa exempt country, you can re-entry, otherwise no.


--------------


I really HOPE that people on this forum can truly understand what it means "OWP doesn't guarantee re-entry", so I decide to write this post.


To be able to legally STAY in Canada, you need two things:
1. An ENTRY document such as Visitor visa.
2. A STAY document such as OWP, Work permit, Study permit.


What does "OWP does not guarantee re-entry" mean?
It does NOT mean you can't leave the country and come back, it simply means you will need an ENTRY document with your OWP together when you come back.
This sentence is on many Canadian permits such as study permit, work permit.


So what do you need to do if you decide to leave the country and then come back?
If you are from a visa exempt country, just apply ETA as an ENTRY document.
If you are from a non-visa exempt country, just apply a Visitor visa as the ENTRY document.

Make sure to bring your ENTRY document/visa, and your STAY document-OWP with you when u enter the country.

 

[Ponga]

Great post, however...

The fundamental issue is that if for any reason an Inland applicant leaves and is denied re-entry, even a visa-exempt applicant in possession of an OWP, their application will be in jeopardy.


And why would it only pertain to those that have an OWP under the pilot program?
What about an Inland applicant that has the `regular' OWP that is issued after they reach AIP, such as those that applied without valid status?

And, why is this one of the most stupid comments you've ever read here:
" Leave your OWP at home when you entry the country" (one of the most stupid comments I ever read here).

Are you not aware that CBSA can see if a person holds a valid work permit, with very little effort?

What happens if the person loses the OWP (that they don't even need with them) while on their vacation?

 

[kacy12]

Hi, I just use this OWP as an example, because I saw many people are confusing about leaving and coming back. Of course, if someone have other legal permits+an entry document, they will be able to re-entry.

Great post, however...

The fundamental issue is that if for any reason an Inland applicant leaves and is denied re-entry, even a visa-exempt applicant in possession of an OWP, their application will be in jeopardy.


And why would it only pertain to those that have an OWP under the pilot program?
What about an Inland applicant that has the `regular' OWP that is issued after they reach AIP, such as those that applied without valid status?

 

[kacy12]

Thanks for your reminding, I have changed the first sentence to make it more clearly.

Hi, I just use this OWP as an example, because I saw many people are confusing about leaving and coming back. Of course, if someone have other legal permits+an entry document, they will be able to re-entry.

 

[scylla]

Hi, I just use this OWP as an example, because I saw many people are confusing about leaving and coming back. Of course, if someone have other legal permits+an entry document, they will be able to re-entry.

Technically that's not true. Having a valid visitor visa or ETA doesn't guarantee re-entry. Whether you're allowed back in or not is entirely up to CBSA.

There's always some risk in leaving. We've had many here leave and return successfully. We've had some leave and be unable to return. Everyone obviously hopes they fall into the first group - but statistically some have to fall into the second.

 

[Ponga]

Agreed. Only a Canadian citizen or PR has the right to enter Canada.

 

[JamesBox]

Thank you for clarifying this!

I've seen so many posts on this and other forums stating 'applicant's can't leave under any circumstances', 'you'd be stupid to leave' ect. And I understand why this is strongly worded - it would be such a shame to have an application refused over a day trip to Seattle or something.

But...

I've previously had an IEC visa which also stated 'Do not guarantee reentry'. I left and reentered more times than I can count whilst on this visa. Some times for just a day, others for 2 weeks. Obviously, they always reserve the right to refuse entry, but realistically they won't unless there's a security or medical reason.

 

[kacy12]

Of course anyone can be denied when entry a foreign country (not only Canada). Even without PR application, there are cases people get denied as visitor, worker, etc.

However, just based on this and saying " do not leave the country because you can't be allowed to re-enter“ is totally wrong.

My post only focuses on legal issue of how to re-entry.

Technically that's not true. Having a valid visitor visa or ETA doesn't guarantee re-entry. Whether you're allowed back in or not is entirely up to CBSA.

There's always some risk in leaving. We've had many here leave and return successfully. We've had some leave and be unable to return. Everyone obviously hopes they fall into the first group - but statistically some have to fall into the second.

 

[kacy12]

Exactly!! Anyone can be rejected when enter a country as a foreign national.

I think people should not exaggerate this just based on the fact they have an inland PR application going.

Agreed. Only a Canadian citizen or PR has the right to enter Canada.

 

[kacy12]

Thank you for clarifying this!

I've seen so many posts on this and other forums stating 'applicant's can't leave under any circumstances', 'you'd be stupid to leave' ect. And I understand why this is strongly worded - it would be such a shame to have an application refused over a day trip to Seattle or something.

But...

I've previously had an IEC visa which also stated 'Do not guarantee reentry'. I left and reentered more times than I can count whilst on this visa. Some times for just a day, others for 2 weeks. Obviously, they always reserve the right to refuse entry, but realistically they won't unless there's a security or medical reason.

 

[Ponga]

Of course anyone can be denied when entry a foreign country (not only Canada). Even without PR application, there are cases people get denied as visitor, worker, etc.

However, just based on this and saying " do not leave the country because you can't be allowed to re-enter“ is totally wrong.

My post only focuses on legal issue of how to re-entry.

Have you seen posts where this was said?

 

[kacy12]

I think I have read this in some PR discussion posts, and also I have a chat group about PR application and people often talk about this.

Have you seen posts where this was said?

 

[Decoy24601]

I don't think that the fact that a whole PR application can be invalidated just by being refused entry should be downplayed at all. Period. I personally would never take that chance, but people should be aware that it's possible.

 

[scylla]

Exactly!! Anyone can be rejected when enter a country as a foreign national.

I think people should not exaggerate this just based on the fact they have an inland PR application going.

It's not about exaggerating. It's about articulating that the possibility of refusal is real and it happens to real people. Understanding there is always some risk, no matter how small, that you won't be able to re-enter allows people to make informed decisions. We see a few stories each year from those who are refused re-entry. It's devastating and heartbreaking for them and often sets them back years in the immigration process (since they have to reapply from scratch using the outland process). So that's the risk people have to weigh when they decide to leave. If I was new to this forum and read your post, it would make me think that re-entry is easy and always guaranteed. That simply isn't true.

 

[kacy12]

I understand why you are saying this, but there are people also get denied when entering this country without PR application.

Applying PR does NOT mean it would add difficulty for entry this country with Valid Visa/Permit.

Again, it is possible for ANYONE to get denied when enter a foreign country, and the risk would not increase or decrease with a PR application.

It's not about exaggerating. It's about articulating that the possibility of refusal is real and it happens to real people. Understanding there is always some risk, no matter how small, that you won't be able to re-enter allows people to make informed decisions. We see a few stories each year from those who are refused re-entry. It's devastating and heartbreaking for them and often sets them back years in the immigration process (since they have to reapply from scratch using the outland process). So that's the risk people have to weigh when they decide to leave. If I was new to this forum and read your post, it would make me think that re-entry is easy and always guaranteed. That simply isn't true.