No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
#1
No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Hi guys,
My colleague is a permanent resident and holds her record of landing from 30+ years ago. She landed with her parents and has remained in Canada ever since. She has no PR card.
With the introduction of eTA for return to Canada via air in March 2016, what does she need to know?
E.g. with no PR card is air travel possible until she applies for a PR card? My feeling is with airline staff, they could be told, this is what a PR card looks like, no other paperwork is admissible.
Your thoughts are appreciated,
Sarah
(We've told her at length that she should be a citizen by now! People don't realise as she sounds Canadian).
My colleague is a permanent resident and holds her record of landing from 30+ years ago. She landed with her parents and has remained in Canada ever since. She has no PR card.
With the introduction of eTA for return to Canada via air in March 2016, what does she need to know?
E.g. with no PR card is air travel possible until she applies for a PR card? My feeling is with airline staff, they could be told, this is what a PR card looks like, no other paperwork is admissible.
Your thoughts are appreciated,
Sarah
(We've told her at length that she should be a citizen by now! People don't realise as she sounds Canadian).
Last edited by SarahBC; Jan 13th 2016 at 7:20 pm. Reason: Clarity
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,840
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Since 2002 she has had ample opportunity to apply for a PR card or even citizenship.
PRs are exempt from obtaining an eTA.
If she flies via the USA and enters Canada by vehicle then no eTA required but she would need an ESTA to enter the USA and legally she is not even allowed to do that though the US don't seem to care about it.
She needs to apply for a PR card or travel and get a travel document issued abroad.
Apply — Permanent resident card
Let me guess she wants to travel in the next few months?
PRs are exempt from obtaining an eTA.
If she flies via the USA and enters Canada by vehicle then no eTA required but she would need an ESTA to enter the USA and legally she is not even allowed to do that though the US don't seem to care about it.
She needs to apply for a PR card or travel and get a travel document issued abroad.
Apply — Permanent resident card
Let me guess she wants to travel in the next few months?
#3
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
I think it will be more than airline staff just recognising what a PR card looks like. As I understand it, they will be checking all passengers destined for Canada on a system to get a board/no board message:
About the initiative
As per current practices, all travellers, including Canadians, must provide valid documentation to board an aircraft. The IAPI process begins when air carriers electronically transmit passenger information to the CBSA for international flights destined for Canada. The CBSA verifies this information against Canada's immigration data to confirm that the traveller has the prescribed travel document (for example, visa or eTA) if one is required and that the traveller may enter Canada. The IAPI system also sends a "board/no-board" message to air carriers before the individual boards a flight to Canada.
Perimeter security and economic competitiveness - Interactive Advance Passenger Information (IAPI)
S
About the initiative
As per current practices, all travellers, including Canadians, must provide valid documentation to board an aircraft. The IAPI process begins when air carriers electronically transmit passenger information to the CBSA for international flights destined for Canada. The CBSA verifies this information against Canada's immigration data to confirm that the traveller has the prescribed travel document (for example, visa or eTA) if one is required and that the traveller may enter Canada. The IAPI system also sends a "board/no-board" message to air carriers before the individual boards a flight to Canada.
Perimeter security and economic competitiveness - Interactive Advance Passenger Information (IAPI)
S
Last edited by Snowy560; Jan 14th 2016 at 1:46 am.
#4
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Thanks FL & Snowy,It sounds like the old days of just having to convince a CBSA officer face-to-face that you are a genuine PR are long gone.From Snowy's info it is very much in the hands of the airline to determine who boards the plane based on the documentation requirements - not much negotiation or grey areas there.I will pass this information on.Thanks so much for your help,Sarah
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Greater Toronto Area
Posts: 89
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
I tried to board a Toronto bound flight from Paris without a PR card in December and they refused to let me board the plane. Had to reroute via New York and drive across the border.
#6
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Natalie sorry to read this but great you let people on here know.
I think PRs really need to take on board that from March 15th certainly no PR card = No travel back to Canada by air (and even now they are tightening up as you found out). It means getting a PRTD or drive (as you did) in a private vehicle across the border.
S
I think PRs really need to take on board that from March 15th certainly no PR card = No travel back to Canada by air (and even now they are tightening up as you found out). It means getting a PRTD or drive (as you did) in a private vehicle across the border.
S
Last edited by Snowy560; Jan 15th 2016 at 4:30 pm.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,840
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Sorry not trying to be mean but travelling without a valid PR card or travel document is a risk which I keep telling people but they don't listen.
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
I traveled with a travel doc in 2012 as my PR card was taking forever to process, and I still got a lecture for not having the card by CBSA officer at the ON/NY border.
#9
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: No PR Card - What Happens When eTa Begins
Hi guys,
My colleague is a permanent resident and holds her record of landing from 30+ years ago. She landed with her parents and has remained in Canada ever since. She has no PR card.
With the introduction of eTA for return to Canada via air in March 2016, what does she need to know?
E.g. with no PR card is air travel possible until she applies for a PR card? My feeling is with airline staff, they could be told, this is what a PR card looks like, no other paperwork is admissible.
Your thoughts are appreciated,
Sarah
(We've told her at length that she should be a citizen by now! People don't realise as she sounds Canadian).
My colleague is a permanent resident and holds her record of landing from 30+ years ago. She landed with her parents and has remained in Canada ever since. She has no PR card.
With the introduction of eTA for return to Canada via air in March 2016, what does she need to know?
E.g. with no PR card is air travel possible until she applies for a PR card? My feeling is with airline staff, they could be told, this is what a PR card looks like, no other paperwork is admissible.
Your thoughts are appreciated,
Sarah
(We've told her at length that she should be a citizen by now! People don't realise as she sounds Canadian).
Permanent resident travel document