hcseeker said:
Please advise us, any who have been there, done that. Should we tell CBSA that I'm moving back or just visiting? (I will only be bringing suitcases into Canada.) Or that we have applied for my wife's PR? Should we show the letter written for us? Any other do's or don't you'd like to suggest?
You need to be truthful with CBSA. If you are moving back then say so. If you are visiting in order to consider a move back, say so. If your plans change, well, that sort of thing does happen.
The other thing that is actually useful to have is a copy of the actual application - especially the PCC. By having copies of the critical piece, it gives you one additional "last ditch" option in the unlikely event that CBSA claims she is inadmissible - she can request that she be granted a "Temporary Resident Permit" under the "Early Admission" criteria. This is discretionary, it costs $200 and US citizens may request one at the border (any other foreign national has to request it from a visa office abroad). But this category is expressly for cases like this (spouse or child wanting to come to Canada while the PR application is being processed). Look for "OP 20" on the CIC website. That's the manual for Temporary Resident Permits. Section 5.15 covers "early admission".
In the past few years I've told many people about this option and nobody has reported needing to use it at the border.
