Travel outside Canada with visitor status

[jc010186]

Hi there, I have a question regarding spousal sponsorship and open work permit application in Canada. I hold a 6-month visitor status from a visa-exempt country and I just handed in both my application last week. I am planning to travel outside of Canada for three months during the waiting period of my open work permit application. Just wondering if traveling outside of Canada in this case would affect my current temporary resident status in Canada (i.e. will my visitor status become invalid once I leave the country), my PR and open work permit applications, as well as my re-entry to Canada after my trip. Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[profiler]

Hi there, I have a question regarding spousal sponsorship and open work permit application in Canada. I hold a 6-month visitor status from a visa-exempt country and I just handed in both my application last week. I am planning to travel outside of Canada for three months during the waiting period of my open work permit application. Just wondering if traveling outside of Canada in this case would affect my current temporary resident status in Canada (i.e. will my visitor status become invalid once I leave the country), my PR and open work permit applications, as well as my re-entry to Canada after my trip. Thank you so much for your advice!

CIC definitely frowns upon travel for longer periods outside of Canada while they are processing in Canada applications. If CBSA decides to deny you re-entry into Canada, your PR application could be considered abandoned by CIC (as you left and didn't return).

When you entered, did you get something other than a stamp from CBSA at the border?

 

[scylla]

Hi there, I have a question regarding spousal sponsorship and open work permit application in Canada. I hold a 6-month visitor status from a visa-exempt country and I just handed in both my application last week. I am planning to travel outside of Canada for three months during the waiting period of my open work permit application. Just wondering if traveling outside of Canada in this case would affect my current temporary resident status in Canada (i.e. will my visitor status become invalid once I leave the country), my PR and open work permit applications, as well as my re-entry to Canada after my trip. Thank you so much for your advice!

It sounds like you have applied inland. If so, you're supposed to be living in Canada with your sponsor to apply through this stream and it's possible you may run into issues with your applications if you leave. Whether you are allowed back into Canada or always up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border.

 

[pedropil]

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/hands-down-the-most-often-asked-question-from-inland-applicants-t266896.0.html

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am planning to travel outside of Canada for three months during the waiting period of my open work permit application. Just wondering if traveling outside of Canada in this case would affect my current temporary resident status in Canada (i.e. will my visitor status become invalid once I leave the country), my PR and open work permit applications, as well as my re-entry to Canada after my trip.

As scylla said, a requirement for applying inland is that you are cohabiting IN Canada with your spouse throughout the process. You really should have applied outland if you need to be out of Canada for so long.

Visitor status ends when you leave Canada. You would be evaluated as a new visitor upon your return. Whether you are granted entry depends on the CBSA officer.

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi there, I have a question regarding spousal sponsorship and open work permit application in Canada. I hold a 6-month visitor status from a visa-exempt country and I just handed in both my application last week. I am planning to travel outside of Canada for three months during the waiting period of my open work permit application. Just wondering if traveling outside of Canada in this case would affect my current temporary resident status in Canada (i.e. will my visitor status become invalid once I leave the country), my PR and open work permit applications, as well as my re-entry to Canada after my trip. Thank you so much for your advice!

Many potential problems:
1. Your visitor status ends when you leave Canada. If CIC somehow can see you are not in Canada at time they process the OWP, there could be delays or other problems with getting OWP since you are supposed to have valid status to receive OWP in the first place
2. Inland app requires that sponsor and applicant live together in Canada during entire processing time. If CIC sees you are outside Canada for so long, they may feel you are no longer residing here and cancel the app
3. If CBSA doesn't want to grant you entry for any reason when you try to return to Canada, your inland app is cancelled

 

[jc010186]

Thanks everyone! Just an add-on question: does anybody know how long is the processing time for OWP as of now?
To Profiler: No, there's only a stamp from CBSA...

Thanks again!

 

[profiler]

Thanks everyone! Just an add-on question: does anybody know how long is the processing time for OWP as of now?
To Profiler: No, there's only a stamp from CBSA...

Thanks again!

Then your visitor visa ends when you leave or that stamp expires (or 6 months if there is no date on it).

OWP's are issued within 3-4 months as of late.