Hi, I just became a PR. Such a relief!!! It's a long post, but it's about traveling abroad and delaying the landing interview so it might help some people.
Our application was received on August 28th 2017. Everything was going well and on time, in June we got a notification that our application was approved and that we should expect the Invitation Letter for the landing interview from the local office in Hamilton, ON (where we live). Now, because when we first applied, we were told that I cannot leave the country until the end of the process, I was very anxious to visit my family. It was only on this forum that I learned that I was perfectly able to go and that basically in any stage, there are ways. So we bought the tickets for Europe thinking that we would be done with everything by the end of August for sure. However the invitation did not come until a few days before our trip and the actual date of the interview was August 27th, when we were supposed to already be gone. Naturally, we both panicked, discussed all possible solutions and in the end sent an email asking for a delay until after we are back. We spent a sleepless night waiting for the reply which came first thing in the morning saying that our request has been noted and we should expect a new invitation later. So easy!
Then we received a new letter and the interview was scheduled for the day after our return to Canada which was great as we thought we would have to wait for months for the new date. Then, the night before we were supposed to leave for Canada, my flight was moved for the day later. Again, panic, negotiation with Air Canada, and in the end, we asked for another delay explaining what happened. In two hours, the reply came saying that we can come any time on the day after our return.
I apologize for this long post, I just wanted to let people in my situation know that it is not a big deal, I know how much we worried for, apparently, no reason. I know it's not the best idea to postpone these interviews but it clearly isn't the end of the world.
Good luck to all you waiting for you PR!