INLAND PR for Japanese Wife, One-Way Flight?

[iluvzcereal]

Hello!

I've read a lot of threads in this forum but this is my first time posting a specific question. I (Canadian citizen) will be traveling to Japan in Aug 2019 to officially marry my Japanese fiancee. We then plan to receive the marriage certificate, kouseki tohon, Canadian embassy paperwork, etc. to finish our INLAND PR Visa application along with the OWP, so she can work in Canada after a few months while waiting out the application. I already have my ticket back to Canada but she's worried about what type of flight to buy.

I had been advised by a few friends who have all successfully sponsored their Japanese spouses to go to a travel agent like JTB and get a return ticket with an open return date. Today, she went there (JTB) and got a quote for a ticket valid for return any date within the year.

The PROBLEM is they warned her that if she didn't board the flight back to Japan within the year, she would have to pay back the difference for the ticket, amounting to around 500 000 yen. Does this sound right? Should I go for a different type of flight ticket (if that exists)? Is there a refundable version? Or is this normal?

If the PR application still isn't completed by the time the ticket "expires" would she HAVE to go back to Japan or can she still stay in Canada until the application finishes? Of course at the border if they interview us we intend to make it clear that she will return if her visitor visa is set to expire.

Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Hello!

I've read a lot of threads in this forum but this is my first time posting a specific question. I (Canadian citizen) will be traveling to Japan in Aug 2019 to officially marry my Japanese fiancee. We then plan to receive the marriage certificate, kouseki tohon, Canadian embassy paperwork, etc. to finish our INLAND PR Visa application along with the OWP, so she can work in Canada after a few months while waiting out the application. I already have my ticket back to Canada but she's worried about what type of flight to buy.

I had been advised by a few friends who have all successfully sponsored their Japanese spouses to go to a travel agent like JTB and get a return ticket with an open return date. Today, she went there (JTB) and got a quote for a ticket valid for return any date within the year.

The PROBLEM is they warned her that if she didn't board the flight back to Japan within the year, she would have to pay back the difference for the ticket, amounting to around 500 000 yen. Does this sound right? Should I go for a different type of flight ticket (if that exists)? Is there a refundable version? Or is this normal?

If the PR application still isn't completed by the time the ticket "expires" would she HAVE to go back to Japan or can she still stay in Canada until the application finishes? Of course at the border if they interview us we intend to make it clear that she will return if her visitor visa is set to expire.

Thanks!

No - having to repay money does not seem right at all. Buy the return ticket yourself and don't deal with agents. Once she's here, you simply don't use the other part of the ticket.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello!

I've read a lot of threads in this forum but this is my first time posting a specific question. I (Canadian citizen) will be traveling to Japan in Aug 2019 to officially marry my Japanese fiancee. We then plan to receive the marriage certificate, kouseki tohon, Canadian embassy paperwork, etc. to finish our INLAND PR Visa application along with the OWP, so she can work in Canada after a few months while waiting out the application. I already have my ticket back to Canada but she's worried about what type of flight to buy.

I had been advised by a few friends who have all successfully sponsored their Japanese spouses to go to a travel agent like JTB and get a return ticket with an open return date. Today, she went there (JTB) and got a quote for a ticket valid for return any date within the year.

The PROBLEM is they warned her that if she didn't board the flight back to Japan within the year, she would have to pay back the difference for the ticket, amounting to around 500 000 yen. Does this sound right? Should I go for a different type of flight ticket (if that exists)? Is there a refundable version? Or is this normal?

If the PR application still isn't completed by the time the ticket "expires" would she HAVE to go back to Japan or can she still stay in Canada until the application finishes? Of course at the border if they interview us we intend to make it clear that she will return if her visitor visa is set to expire.

Thanks!

As scylla said, avoid agents. Buy a one-way ticket for her to Canada and buy a completely separate fully refundable one-way ticket back to Japan. Once she is in Canada, cancel the Japan ticket and get the refund.

 

[Hurlabrick]

Worth thinking about, but with many (but not all) airlines, a one way ticket can cost more than a return ticket! We bought a return with a specific return date for this precise reason - we just didn't bother turning up for the return flight (Air Canada).

 

[iluvzcereal]

Worth thinking about, but with many (but not all) airlines, a one way ticket can cost more than a return ticket! We bought a return with a specific return date for this precise reason - we just didn't bother turning up for the return flight (Air Canada).

Like Hurlabrick said, the round trip ticket and the one way price ends up being pretty much the same price.


Also what happens if her 6 month visitor visa expires while she's still waiting for the PR results? My understanding is despite the 6 month visa, because she will be in the system it's understood that overstaying the visa will happen. Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Like Hurlabrick said, the round trip ticket and the one way price ends up being pretty much the same price.


Also what happens if her 6 month visitor visa expires while she's still waiting for the PR results? My understanding is despite the 6 month visa, because she will be in the system it's understood that overstaying the visa will happen. Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

If she has applied for the OWP, she will have status.

 

[iluvzcereal]

If she has applied for the OWP, she will have status.

Ooo that makes sense!

Last thing, at the border when we cross into Canada, we are planning on entering together. At that time we will have not yet submitted the application. What are some things i should say (or should not say) to the officer? I'm worried that because we will have not submitted yet, it will be a red flag. We will have documents and photos on us to support the case in the event that they interview us.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Ooo that makes sense!

Last thing, at the border when we cross into Canada, we are planning on entering together. At that time we will have not yet submitted the application. What are some things i should say (or should not say) to the officer? I'm worried that because we will have not submitted yet, it will be a red flag. We will have documents and photos on us to support the case in the event that they interview us.

Don't volunteer any information. If they don't ask, you don't need to say. She is entering as a visitor, not moving to Canada. If they do ask, then say that you are applying for sponsorship. You can pay the full PR fees and have that receipt just in case.

 

[iluvzcereal]

Don't volunteer any information. If they don't ask, you don't need to say. She is entering as a visitor, not moving to Canada. If they do ask, then say that you are applying for sponsorship. You can pay the full PR fees and have that receipt just in case.

Okay. Thank you very much for all your help!