Travel to US from Canada while PR processing?

[northernfinch]

Hello everyone!

I'm a Canadian citizen, my husband is American and is living with me here in Canada while we wait for his permanent residency. We mailed the application in September, and got notice via email on Nov. 10 that I've been approved as a sponsor and his application is being processed. He originally landed here with a visitors visa; the original one expired on Nov 9, and we had applied for an extension of that visa (sent it on Oct 4) but never heard back about that.

So here's my question... we have plans to visit his family in the US for Christmas. I was under the impression that as long as we have proof that his PR is processing, we would be ok to leave Canada and come back. But I'm concerned for a few reasons- 1. his visitor's visa is expired and we never received the extension. 2. we got a form emailed to us saying his application is being processed, but it doesn't specifically say AOR on it. Is that enough proof to come back across the border?

Also, while I have your attention, does anyone know whether he can get a driver's licence somehow while his application is processing? His Massachusetts licence is still valid, although I don't think he's supposed to use it here any more. It's kind of a pain driving him around =p

Thanks much!

 

[Aquakitty]

Americans don't get visas for visiting. They sometimes get visitor records for various reasons which is what he has.

It takes a long time to get an extension lately. He's still under "implied" status right now as long as you mailed that app before his visitor record expired.

What province are you in? I believe all the provinces require at least a visitor record to give proof that he has status in Canada in order to get a license. In BC he can get a temporary licence only until he gets his PR card (it's called an interim license, a piece of paper).

He might still get his new VR before Dec. If not, when he comes back over the border, get him to ask for one. There's lots of threads on getting a VR at the border for an American. It's handy because you can get things like licenses and don't have to be grilled at the border every time you cross(necessarily, never know with CBSA).

Showing that application status is good proof, they usually give Americans an easier time about crossing once you have PR proof.

Have him bring the PR proof and VR extension proof at the border when asking for a VR, he shouldn't have any problems.

 

[northernfinch]

Awesome, thank you! Yeah, once we get a renewed Visitor Record I'm going to go back to the registry- an employee there told us that he's not eligible for a driver's license if he just has a visitor's visa/record. I think she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. We're in Alberta =p

 

[Aquakitty]

Awesome, thank you! Yeah, once we get a renewed Visitor Record I'm going to go back to the registry- an employee there told us that he's not eligible for a driver's license if he just has a visitor's visa/record. I think she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. We're in Alberta =p

I think she might be right, annoyingly every province seems to have it's own rules regarding licenses. But, it looks like Alberta allows visitors to drive for up to a year on their out-of-country license. Since he'll be renewing his visitor status, It should technically reset that rule. As long as he's here legally you shouldn't have a problem.


When you hand in your licence they take the old one as well, which could be a hassle, so you are probably better off with him just waiting for his PR to exchange it.

Also, I think he may be eligible to get on your medical temporarily with the VR in Alberta if you haven't already done that.

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1741.cfm