Traveling with work visa but status has changed to permanent resident

[mrscorpi87]

Hello..

My wife did her landing in feb and the next day she flew to India. I flew some days later and we got married. Our return flight to Canada is on March 24. She won't get her PR card before that. Now my question is Can she travel based on her work visa which is valid till 2018 regardless of her status as she is not worker anymore and also she does not have the work permit the officer at the border took it when she did the landing. She talked to her lawyer and the lawyer said she can travel with the work visa there won't be any issue. But I am doubtful abt that. Can someone please clarify if she can enter Canada with the visa or she needs to apply for the PRTD.

Another question, we have not registered the marriage yet. When should we notify CIC about our marriage- do it while we are in India or do it when we come back to Canada.

I will really appreciate any help I can get. Many thanks.

 

[Bs65]

Others can comment but believe that once you have landed as PR any other previous visas/permits become invalid so you would need without a PR card a PRTD to board a plane.

 

[Rob_TO]

Any visas, permits, etc she had before becoming PR are supposed to be removed and invalidated by CBSA upon the PR landing.

HOWEVER, CBSA often doesn't do this, and recently there have been a few reports of new PRs traveling on visas obtained before becoming a PR. Airline seemed to accept the visas still as suitable to allow boarding.

So the choice is hers, but just know the risk involved. She may be allowed boarding with no problem, or if the airline can see the visa is no longer valid she would be denied boarding. Really she won't know until she gets to airport and tries.

The safest and surest way to travel, is to obtain a PR Travel Document before traveling to Canada.

Once in Canada at the airport, CBSA will not care. Just with her passport and COPR document they will be able to validate her PR status and allow entry. It's just getting on the airplane that's the issue.

 

[mrscorpi87]

Any visas, permits, etc she had before becoming PR are supposed to be removed and invalidated by CBSA upon the PR landing.

HOWEVER, CBSA often doesn't do this, and recently there have been a few reports of new PRs traveling on visas obtained before becoming a PR. Airline seemed to accept the visas still as suitable to allow boarding.

So the choice is hers, but just know the risk involved. She may be allowed boarding with no problem, or if the airline can see the visa is no longer valid she would be denied boarding. Really she won't know until she gets to airport and tries.

The safest and surest way to travel, is to obtain a PR Travel Document before traveling to Canada.

Once in Canada at the airport, CBSA will not care. Just with her passport and COPR document they will be able to validate her PR status and allow entry. It's just getting on the airplane that's the issue.

Thats what I thought. I talked to my wife and we have decided that we will apply for the PRTD. I have my fingers crossed that we get it before Mar 24. I will include a letter explaining the situation and request them to expedite this. Any idea on the processing time for PRTD in India at Chandigarh VFS office.

Thank you for all the replies.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thats what I thought. I talked to my wife and we have decided that we will apply for the PRTD. I have my fingers crossed that we get it before Mar 24. I will include a letter explaining the situation and request them to expedite this. Any idea on the processing time for PRTD in India at Chandigarh VFS office.

Thank you for all the replies.

Not sure the average time for that visa office, but remember you will be including her passport with the PR TD application. So in case there are any long delays, she will need to re-schedule any travel plans accordingly.

I've heard that visa offices can issue PR TDs fairly quickly, so 2 full weeks may be enough time.

If you happen to be close by that visa office you can drop the app off and pick up in person, which will help expedite the process.