which is the best plan?

[bafonso]

You need to realize that you have not even applied or started the PR process yet it seems like you want to come in under a dual intent situation... See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/visa/dual.asp

That may raise questions, that is my point. It's not clear to me telling them you'll be applying for PR is even relevant even though you can say anything of course, be thruthful. Paying ahead the fee is not relevant, anyone can do it. For Cic, they don't even know if you'll be eligible to sponsor them, you have not taken even the initial step in the process.

They've always asked me how many days I'm staying but never asked to see any proof. But I've never said I would stay 6 months.. this is why I said I couldn't give you input on that. The refundable tickets are a good idea, I'll maybe do that in the future... I normally get my tickets or rental while I'm in Canada this is why I never have any when I enter.

You should bring enough clothes to stay for the maximum amount of time you can stay without extensions. You cannot bring your belongings as if you were moving to the country, they are visitors. Keep in mind that your baggage and your wife and son will be assessed separately. They will in all likelihood evaluate them separately. I know this from first hand experience when we brought my wife's stuff back to Canada.

You are right that as of now there's no point in sending in your PR application, you will not even get an acknowledgement from CIC even if you mailed it today.

I guess my suggestion is not to overplay the dual intent of your family PR application since you haven't started it.

I have an eTa for 5 years, that doesn't mean I can stay for more than 6 months per entry without extension. I'd double check that you are not confused about it. You don't even need one if you're entering by car like I've done countless times. Only got my eta recently when I flew in.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

It's not clear to me telling them you'll be applying for PR is even relevant even though you can say anything of course, be thruthful. Paying ahead the fee is not relevant, anyone can do it. For Cic, they don't even know if you'll be eligible to sponsor them, you have not taken even the initial step in the process.

I guess my suggestion is not to overplay the dual intent of your family PR application since you haven't started it.

Paying the fee ahead of time and showing that they are applying for sponsorship actually counts for quite a lot. It shows CBSA that they know the rules to be able to live legally in Canada and are following them.

 

[Helena R]

Hi Francisco,

Just remeber to go all together as a family to the "Visitors to Canada" line, don´t separate in 2 groups so you talk to the oficcer together.

Definetely option #1

It´s going to be fine.

 

[francisco bucchi]

You are right that as of now there's no point in sending in your PR application, you will not even get an acknowledgement from CIC even if you mailed it today.

I guess my suggestion is not to overplay the dual intent of your family PR application since you haven't started it.

Thanks bafonso and canuck. You two made a really good exposure of the key point. I am in a dual intent situation, that is clear, but the point is whether is necessary or convenient to show this dual intent to the CBSA officers, considering I have not started the PR app yet. Bafonso suggests that is not necessary, and canuck suggests that it counts for a lot. I don't know what to choose... it is attractive to keep things simple and say that my family is visiting Canada with me while I do my master. I can show the money sources to live during one year.

The only thing I wouldn't have a clear answer whitout metioning our intention for PR is about the study of my step-child (who will be six in September, corresponding to first grade). In my initial plan, as he will be applying to PR in August, we can use this to register him in the school whitout paying the fee of international students. Because of this, I will probably declare our dual intent.

I have an eTa for 5 years, that doesn't mean I can stay for more than 6 months per entry without extension. I'd double check that you are not confused about it. You don't even need one if you're entering by car like I've done countless times. Only got my eta recently when I flew in.

I think I'm not confused. The eTA is valid for 6 months and then my wife and step-child will have to ask for an extension.

Just remeber to go all together as a family to the "Visitors to Canada" line, don´t separate in 2 groups so you talk to the oficcer together.

Thank you so much Helena, this is a very good advice.

 

[Aloaleja]

Thanks bafonso and canuck. You two made a really good exposure of the key point. I am in a dual intent situation, that is clear, but the point is whether is necessary or convenient to show this dual intent to the CBSA officers, considering I have not started the PR app yet. Bafonso suggests that is not necessary, and canuck suggests that it counts for a lot. I don't know what to choose... it is attractive to keep things simple and say that my family is visiting Canada with me while I do my master. I can show the money sources to live during one year.

The only thing I wouldn't have a clear answer whitout metioning our intention for PR is about the study of my step-child (who will be six in September, corresponding to first grade). In my initial plan, as he will be applying to PR in August, we can use this to register him in the school, exempt from paying the fee of international students. Because of this, I will probably declare our dual intent.



I think I'm not confused. The eTA is valid for 6 months and then my wife and step-child will have to ask for an extension.



Thank you so much Helena, this is a very good advice.

The eTA is valid for 5 years or until the passport linked to that eTA # expires, the amount of time that you can stay in Canada as a visitor depends on the Agent and its giving at the port of entry. The maximum is 6 months and is given if everything is fine and the officer assessing you has not concerns, on the other hand they can limit the visit to your wife and step son and sometimes when the time is limited they are based on the return ticket. I am not saying it will happen to you but you should consider this.

I would say when coming to Canada if they don't ask then don't tell, I just don't see the point of volunteering information that is not requested.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I think I'm not confused. The eTA is valid for 6 months and then my wife and step-child will have to ask for an extension.

The eTA is an online travel document that allows them to board a plane to Canada. Nothing more.

Visitor status will be granted by the CBSA officer upon entry.

 

[francisco bucchi]

I would say when coming to Canada if they don't ask then don't tell, I just don't see the point of volunteering information that is not requested.

Sure, if they don't ask we won't tell anything, which is the best case scenario. I am just putting in the case we are interrogated.

The eTA is valid for 5 years or until the passport linked to that eTA # expires, the amount of time that you can stay in Canada as a visitor depends on the Agent and its giving at the port of entry. The maximum is 6 months and is given if everything is fine and the officer assessing you has not concerns, on the other hand they can limit the visit to your wife and step son and sometimes when the time is limited they are based on the return ticket. I am not saying it will happen to you but you should consider this.

Yes, you are right. Thanks for clarifying it.

 

[bafonso]

How did it go, smooth sailing?

 

[francisco bucchi]

Hi everyone!

I am happy to tell you that we entered into Canada with no problems. As this could be useful for someone in the future, whis is what we did:

- We bought refundable tickets back home to Chile. They were very useful, because these tickets were requested in Chile by the airline when we leaved and we mentioned them at the border in Canada when we arrived, and the officer's face was "I was expecting you to tell me that".

- We also paid the fees for PR upfront, also very useful.

- We arrived at 1:00 am (past midnight) and the airport was preety void. We all took the "Visitors to Canada" line. We presented four passports, two canadian and two chilean. If I remember well, the dialogue was:
- Officer: So, what's the purpose of your trip?
- Me: I am returning to Canada after many years. I will do a Master (I showed the envelope of the UofT) and my family is accompanying me. They are chilean and have valid eTAs. We want to apply for PR for them, our application is almost complete and we paid the fees upfront (I showed the fees for PR. The officer asked me the fees receipts, and had a 10 secs look at them)
- Me: we also have tickets to return back home, just in case something goes wrong (as I said, she didn't asked me to show them, but she approved with her head)

And that was all! We didn't have problems with our luggage, nor we were asked to show how we were going to finance.
Thank you all for your replies, they were very helpful. If there some important detail I lost, just ask me or send me a PM!

All the best,
Francisco