Hi there

Myself, my husband and two of our children moved to Coquitlam BC in January, our oldest daughter aged 20 plans to join us soon from the UK. Problem is her PR card was accidentally packed in with our belongings (we hope) which is at the moment in a container half way across the Atlantic. I have applied for a replacement card just in case it is actually lost and not in the container (yes I know I shouldnt have trusted her with her own card!!) but I dont realistically expect it to appear before she plans to come in June. My question is what should she say at border control- we want her residency to start counting from the day she arrives, the clock is already ticking as we 'landed' in August 09.

Will they let her in without a PR card, as she will only have a one way ticket? Will they be able to check at the border her immigration status? Really really hope that card is in the container!

Your help would be appreciated, thanks.

Does she have her COPR paperwork?

You need to read the Port of Entry Examinations manual, http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Reside...gations-Canada Section 11 applies in this case as you have already activated PR.

Even if she appears with nothing more than her passport, the CBSA immigration officer will still be able to find her on the system and allow her to enter as a PR. It will just mean more time at immigration. (11.3 in manual).

You will have people come back on this thread saying the airline wont let her board the plane without the PR card......I would take a copy of the relevant section from POE manual as you cant guarantee checkin staff are up to speed...

Hi



You may wish to read the Transportation Manual which states the following:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc.../enf15-eng.pdf Section 7.1

148. (1) A person who owns or operates a vehicle or a transportation facility, and an agent for such a person, must, in accordance with the regulations,

(a) not carry to Canada a person who is prescribed or does not hold a prescribed document, or who an officer directs not be carried;

259. For the purposes of subsection 148(1) of the Act, the following documents that a person requires under the Act to enter Canada are prescribed:

(a) a travel document referred to in subsection 31(3) of the Act;
(b) refugee travel papers issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs;
(c) a document referred to in subsection 50(1) or 52(1);
(d) a temporary travel document referred to in section 151;
(e) a visa referred to in section 6 or subsection 7(1); and

(f) a permanent resident card.


So a transportation company can refuse to board a person who maybe visa exempt, but is traveling on a one-way ticket, but has no proof of status in Canada.

Is it better then for her to get a return ticket to avoid being turned away, and explain her lack of PR card at entry to Canada?

All she needs to do is submit an Application to Travel Permit to London CIC.

This will allow her to return without her PR card and not be stopped by the airline.

"The following application is for permanent residents outside of Canada who need proof of their status so they can return to Canada."

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca...ge.aspx?view=d

or

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...ons/travel.asp

I would suggest, if possible, that she go in person otherwise it can take up to 4 weeks to process.

(You might want to fill in the forms for her, print and then mail, email or fax them to her, to ensure there are no errors!)

Is she flying Air Canada? If so, she is probably safe the with airline (Air Canada print on their website that passport is ok for visa-exempt permanent residents - just print that out). There will not be a problem with Immigration, they can (and will) look her up in their system and legally they have to admit someone who is a permanent residence whether they have the card or not. It just means a delay while they verify status.

If not flying Air Canada, she could either a. get clearance in advance (in writing) from the airline to board, as a passport on its own does meet CIC requirements, Preferably before buying a ticket or b. spend C$50 and spend the necessary day in London to get a travel document.

Thanks all for that!