Short trip abroad while at the limit of the RO

[BanguTangu]

Hi there
I am at the limit of my RO (have already spent 3 years out and moved in one year ago just in time to meet the RO).
I am all settled now - have a good job in the public sector, have purchased a condo, own a car, etc.
I need to go out of the country for one week and come back.
What are the chances of getting reported at the airport upon arrival? Would it be ok to get out for one week and come back?

 

[keesio]

If your PR card didn't expire, you should be ok. I suppose there is a small risk that your may get a border official who decides to take a closer look at your RO but since you have strong ties to Canada now (job, condo, car, etc), I doubt you would have a hard time.

Personally I would just stay put because I am very risk-adverse. But I think the risk is pretty small.

 

[Hasher]

If you can avoid this risk that would be far good for you than regretting this trip for rest of your life. If IO on border check send you inside then you never know that what could be the result.

 

[keesio]

Yeah Hasher is right. All it takes is a border official who feels like giving you a hard time. Even though the risk is small, if the trip is not something you HAVE to do, I would stay put

 

[torontosm]

Yeah Hasher is right. All it takes is a border official who feels like giving you a hard time. Even though the risk is small, if the trip is not something you HAVE to do, I would stay put

Or rather, a border agent who feels like doing his job.

 

[wilson]

As far as your PR card is valid when you re-enter any Canadian port of entry, the CBSA could ask you some questions like which date you left from Canada or how long you stayed out of Canada during the last trip ? etc. You will never be turned back denying a re-entry. I don't see any problem for a quick return before expiring the PR Card.

 

[BanguTangu]

Thanks to all.
To clarify, I am have a valid PR card for another year. I have done one year in and still one year to go. I moved here just in time to comply with the 730 day requirement.
I don't want to take a risk because I am well settled here.
But I need to travel for a week. From your experience, are they extremely strict with the number of days? Does it have to be exactly 730 days? What about 720 days - would they tolerate that?

 

[steaky]

But I need to travel for a week. From your experience, are they extremely strict with the number of days? Does it have to be exactly 730 days? What about 720 days - would they tolerate that?

It really depends on the border officer you encountered!

 

[Leon]

Thanks to all.
To clarify, I am have a valid PR card for another year. I have done one year in and still one year to go. I moved here just in time to comply with the 730 day requirement.
I don't want to take a risk because I am well settled here.
But I need to travel for a week. From your experience, are they extremely strict with the number of days? Does it have to be exactly 730 days? What about 720 days - would they tolerate that?

No, the line has to be drawn somewhere and 730 days is already very lenient. Until 2002, they actually used to require that you spent 6 months in any 12 in order to keep your PR.

If immigration knew when you reentered that you already spent 3 years outside and made a note of that in their computers, when you leave now and come back only a week later, they could realize that as you were already out for 3 years and have now left and come back again, you will not meet the RO any more. They have the right to report you if they want to. If they do, you will be under appeal for the next 1-2 years. Now, if you are well settled, they may let you keep your PR in the end but the long wait would be very stressful for you.

 

[BanguTangu]

Thank you guys.
Do you think it is worth calling CIC and asking this question?
It will be great to have some sort of reassurance on this and sleep well.
I really need to get out of a country for about a week. These things happen and are unpredictable.

 

[Leon]

The CIC call centre can not really give you any reassurance. They can tell you what they think but they can not guarantee you anything. If you really have to leave that badly, you are taking a small risk with your PR. Nobody but you can know how important this trip is and if it's worth the risk.

 

[BanguTangu]

Thanks for these helpful comments and the useful information guys.

Does anyone out there know of any recent cases of some being reported for being one week or so short of the 730-day RO?

I am just trying to make sense of what is possible and what isn't and I hope someone out there might gone through this and might have some advive to share with us.