pr card query
 

Greetings all,

So I arrived in Canada a couple of weeks ago, mooched around for a few days, and managed to get alot done. I found somewhere to stay, got my sin number, bank account, bought a canadian mobile phone, filled out the health card form, etc....
I was only in Vancouver a week though and then I flew to California to attend a friends wedding.
Therefore I've activated my PR status but I don't yet have my PR card. When I fly back to Canada next week will that be in anyway a problem?
Do I have to clear my imminent re-entry with the Canadian Embassy? Or can I just get on the plane and enter Canada without my as yet un-received PR card?

As ever grateful for any help.

Bozo

PS

By the way the whole first week went super smoothly, everyone was hyper friendly and I'm looking forward to getting back to Vancouver and getting on with it.
All I need now is a job!

Re: pr card query
 

Umm, how do i put it! You need to get to a CIC office and apply for a travel form! The airline may not let you board. This is the reason I had to stop traveling for work for 42 days when waiting for my PR card to arrive.

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

Re: pr card query
 

Do you have the copy of the 'Confirmation of Permanent Residence Form' (COPR) that the immigration officer completed, stamped and signed when you landed? If so, this will suffice in the absence of a PR card.

Re: pr card query
 

It will suffice for the Canadian immigration officer on a land boarder, but from the extensive research the airline in the US will not, (there was a lot of forgeries at one point and hence the PR card)

I'm not saying that every time they ask for the PR card, but it will only take a jobs worth to stop you getting on the flight. Travel Document was the way to go.

Re: pr card query
 

Carriers are required to check your immigration status, because you're British and can enter visa-free as a visitor they may not care (but I have to say imx ever since the regs came in in 2003 they always have checked). If you can actually get to a POE then it's not a problem as CBSA can look you up using your passport details but the carrier is supposed to check. Air Canada seems to have a policy of not giving much of a damn for people who can enter visa-free according to their website but it doesn't jive with what I've been told by CBSA (or what's on the CIC website). You can try calling them at 800-461-9999 but I'm not sure if that number works from the US.

What you're supposed to do though is apply for a one-time travel visa, which you can get from the consulate in LA.

Another way of doing it is fly to Seattle, take the bus to Blaine and walk across, or rent a car. Which I have to say would be my preferred option if they won't let you board. I doubt the consulate in LA is going to do things in a timely manner, but you might want to check.

Re: pr card query
 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm in San Francisco at the moment, so I went to the consulate and they brushed me off told me to talk to the L.A embassy. They don't talk on the phone. Should I send them an email? Or should I talk to Air Canada? Or should I say nothing and just brazen it out, and if I fail to get on the plane go to Seattle.

Bozo

Re: pr card query
 

Guys,

I just looked on the Air Canada site:

"Permanent resident (PR) cards

Only Canadian permanent residents from non visa-waiver countries travelling outside Canada are required to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or a valid visa, in addition to a valid passport, to return to Canada by commercial carrier. The PR card provides proof of your immigration status. Without it, you will not be allowed to board the carrier back to Canada. Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents from visa-waiver countries do not need a PR card."


I reckon if I print that out as proof of their policy; I'm in the clear.

Any thoughts?

Bozo

Re: pr card query
 

I would check in online. That way you won't have to see anyone at checkin so no questions will be asked.

Re: pr card query
 

they check at the gate...... well at least every one of the many flights I boarded from the US they did.

Re: pr card query
 

I thought they only checked the photo ID against the name on the ticket. If you have bags in the hold, are they really going to off load you, search for the bags and risk losing their slot and potentially delay the flight? I would doubt it.

Re: pr card query
 

Nope , flying from the US, mainly ORD, they will get everyone to the desk prior to boarding and check papers, They checked my TWP every time and then give you a red stamp on the boarding pass. This usually happens prior to boarding so they have time to sort issues. My experience is mainly AC and United, other may be more lax.

Re: pr card query
 

I will bow to your experience, haven't heard of this before but have never travelled between us and Canada.

Re: pr card query
 

I just spoke to someone at Air Canada who said as long as I have my British Passport no problem.
Confused but hopeful!

Bozo

Re: pr card query
 

Good Luck! Let us know what happens!

Re: pr card query
 

Will do. Thanks everyone.