Passport Visa Question
 

Hi all,

First post of many know doubt since I found this site.

My Husband successfully applied to sponsor me to go to Canada as a PR under the Family Class, he is a Canadian citizen living in the UK.

Our forms where all sent off around April 2011 and after a nervous wait as according to the Royal Mail Tracker our application was delivered to France, it was an error on Royal Mail's website and it was actually delivered to Mississauga, we heard back in late May that the application was being processed.

Got a call from the London HC 2 weeks ago to confirm some details about our relationship and she was satisfied and stated they would issue the visa.

I got an email yesterday asking me for my passport to be sent to them so they can insert the Canadian Visa. My UK Passport expires in July 2012 but the Visa will expire 3rd April 2012 as this is a year from when I had the medical.

As I understand it, it looks like I will have to up sticks and move by the 3rd April 2012 when this is not viable at the moment as we have no jobs etc lined up in Canada yet. I see that the Visa cannot be extended and if it lapses then we have to go through the whole process again and pay all over again.

I see some posts referring to going and then coming back to activate the Visa, is this correct and if so how do I get back in as I won't have my PR card at that stage.

I have been unemployed in the UK for over a year now and we thought we would see if I could emigrate to Canada and if a positive decision came back then we would have time to prepare and move, we certainly don't think we can pull this off in 6 months. I'm hopefully due to start a job next month but want to get some additional funds behind us before we actually go and we have normal things to do like sell house etc.

Can anyone give me some advice on these issues as the CIC website is not great on detail in this respect.

Cheers..

Rob

Re: Passport Visa Question
 

Hi, and welcome to BE.

If you read the Newcomers to the Forum sticky thread (link in my signature, and on the main page) it'll take you to the Wiki which will answer all of your questions.

To save you hunting, these are the pages you need -

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...cy_Obligations

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Landing_as_PR-Canada

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Perman...nt_Card-Canada

Simply put, you have a year from the date of your medical to 'land' and activate your visa - if you don't do this, you lose it and have to reapply. But once you've done that, you don't have to stay in Canada and can return to the UK. As long as you are living with your Canadian spouse, you are meeting your residency requirements for PR purposes. And you can easily get back in to Canada without a PR card, as long as you've got your COPR.

Full details of all of the above are in the Wiki articles, so have a read of those and if you could read the Newcomers thread and articles as well, that would be appreciated.

Re: Passport Visa Question
 

I think this is correct. Since you spouse is Canadian, you "land" in Canada, settle down for a week of vacation with relatives, and then go back to the UK.

Re: Passport Visa Question
 

It is definitely correct. And no need for a week of vacation if it's not wanted, the OP can get on the same flight back to the UK if he wants!

:)

Re: Passport Visa Question
 

Thanks for your responses. My UK passport is away for renewal at present and when it comes back I'll send it off to London for my Visa to be attached.

I think a little week of vacation would be no bad thing either!

Re: Passport Visa Question
 

I have a friend that flew to the UK from Canada, had a meeting near Heathrow, and then flew home on the afternoon flight. While that, and longer same-day-return flights are possible, it is both cheaper and more fun to stay over the weekend!