Visiting Canada prior to landing

[kg.jadu]

Dear forum users,

I would like to ask your opinion on my issue. Background: I am a graduate of a Canadian University, have my post-graduation work permit (PGWP) valid through 2016. Several days ago, I received my PR visa and CoPR valid until June 2014, and I would like to land as close to the expiry date on my visa as possible. In April 2013, I moved to the U.S. as an H-1B worker, and I am planning to stay here for another 3 years, after which time I will move to Canada to satisfy my PR obligations.

I will need to make several trips to Canada later this year. I was wondering if I could enter using my PGWP, not an immigrant visa. That is, at the port of entry, will I be given a choice to land or visit temporarily? Also, I believe I do not need a worker visa to enter Canada [pursuant to R190(1)(f)] because I have a valid open work permit and I only visited U.S. (see also http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visa-expired-but-have-valid-work-permit-can-i-reenter-canada-after-visiting-us-t99415.0.html).

Your input is very much appreciated.

Best regards,

-kg.jadu

 

[Leon]

I believe I have heard of people doing that, that is entering with a PR visa without landing. You can say you are not ready to settle yet and are working on your goods to follow list.

I found a similar question here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visiting-canada-without-landing-t158027.0.html but no follow up to say how the visit went.

 

[kg.jadu]

I believe I have heard of people doing that, that is entering with a PR visa without landing. You can say you are not ready to settle yet and are working on your goods to follow list.

I found a similar question here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visiting-canada-without-landing-t158027.0.html but no follow up to say how the visit went.

Thank you for your response Leon! That was helpful. I found another somewhat relevant discussion here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visiting-canada-without-spouse-before-landing-t154937.0.html. It adds some hope that this might indeed be possible. But as for entering the country on a work permit without work visa after staying in U.S. solely---is it a real option? (I have never been a "worker" in Canada, I received my PGWP a week before leaving for the States.) Also, as a worker, am I allowed to come to the country just to visit my friends/take connecting flights in an airport?

Thank you again---and best regards,

-kg.jadu

 

[Leon]

You have a work permit and it is valid as long as it says on it. During that time, you are allowed to live in Canada and work if you want to. It is true that a work permit is not a TRV but usually a multiple entry TRV is granted along with a work permit as far as I know. Do you have one? If you do and it is valid, you can visit.

 

[kg.jadu]

You have a work permit and it is valid as long as it says on it. During that time, you are allowed to live in Canada and work if you want to. It is true that a work permit is not a TRV but usually a multiple entry TRV is granted along with a work permit as far as I know. Do you have one? If you do and it is valid, you can visit.

I see. No, I don't have a multiple-entry TRV at the moment---with PGWP, you have to apply for visa separately. But I hope to use the provision of IRPA, R190(3)(f):

190. (3) A foreign national is exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa if they are seeking to enter and remain in Canada solely
[...]
(f) to re-enter Canada following a visit solely to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, if they
(i) held a study permit or a work permit that was issued before they left Canada on such a visit or were authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary resident, and
(ii) return to Canada by the end of the period initially authorized for their stay or any extension to it;

My work permit was issued on April 4, a week before I left Canada for the U.S. Also, I only visited the U.S. I did use the provision of R190(3)(f) before in 2010 using study permit when my Canadian visa had expired, and was let into the country just fine. So I hope it can work this time around, too.

 

[Leon]

Print that out and show it to the immigration officer if you have a problem. It may help

 

[kg.jadu]

Print that out and show it to the immigration officer if you have a problem. It may help

Thank you very much Leon! That was helpful.

 

[kg.jadu]

Update: I successfully entered Canada as a worker.

The CBSA officer who examined my passport told me that I *have to* land if I have an immigrant visa. She even asked me if I changed my mind and did not want to immigrate (of course I wanted, but later). Then she sent me for "landing" to an immigration officer in a room next door. I asked the officer if I could choose to enter as a worker and he said that yes, I could. Then he stamped and annotated my passport using the information (number and expiry date) from my work permit. And that was it---I could go pick up my luggage.

They did warn me though that I have to land before the expiry date of my visa and COPR---which was quite obvious anyways.

Further details: I entered using a combination of my soon-to-expire student visa and work permit, so combining visas/permits of different kind might be allowed. Or maybe it was just my lucky day.