Leaving canada for a trip by plane.

[fmayhew96]

Hi all looking for information,

I have a trip booked on april 2nd (applied for new pr renewall back in december, but nothing yet due to online portal issues) has anyone left canada for an all inclusive trip (with an expired pr) and took ur return flight to the U.S and crossed the border in a private vehicle?

im wondering if i'll have issues LEAVING canada to the dominican with an expired pr card? i can't see how they can deny me if i can prove im coming back through the U.S but wondering if anyone has done this before?

all help is appreciated, thank you.

 

[Ponga]

Your PR Card doesn't do anything getting you `out' of Canada or `into' any other country.

The valid PR Card is only needed to return to Canada via a commercial carrier, unless you hold a valid U.S. Passport. You can enter Canada via a land PoE from the US with an expired card, or anything else that shows that your PR status is still valid.

Can't speak about whatever requirements the DR may have for those flying into the country.

 

[fmayhew96]

Your PR Card doesn't do anything getting you `out' of Canada or `into' any other country.

The valid PR Card is only needed to return to Canada via a commercial carrier, unless you hold a valid U.S. Passport. You can enter Canada via a land PoE from the US with an expired card, or anything else that shows that your PR status is still valid.

Can't speak about whatever requirements the DR may have for those flying into the country.

that's what i thought.. i just wasn't sure if they asked to see ur PR card when you leave the country or not.. thank you!!

 

[Islander216]

I think we need to unpack your query a bit.

First of all, if I understand you correctly, you are taking your flight from the US and crossing the border by car. Are you from a country which has visa free travel to the US or a US citizen? If not, then you will need a visa to enter the US. If you have visa free travel, are a U.S citizen or already have a US visa, you can travel, but US border patrol are entitled to ask you for proof of residency in Canada if you're not a US citizen. If you provide your expired PR card, they can ask you how do they know you have fulfilled your residency obligations and still have valid Canadian PR status (if you don't, you are an immigration risk)? You'll have more issues entering the US than coming back into Canada, because at least CBSA have access to your records and can see on the system that you PR is still valid.

The airline can ask for your status in the US and where you reside permanently, and stuff like that where you may have to produce your Canadian PR, if they feel like you're a risk of being denied at immigration in the US.

If you're a US citizen this stuff doesn't apply, but just giving you a more detailed answer regarding the implications.

 

[fmayhew96]

I think we need to unpack your query a bit.

First of all, if I understand you correctly, you are taking your flight from the US and crossing the border by car. Are you from a country which has visa free travel to the US or a US citizen? If not, then you will need a visa to enter the US. If you have visa free travel, are a U.S citizen or already have a US visa, you can travel, but US border patrol are entitled to ask you for proof residency in Canada if you're not a US citizen. If you provide your expired PR card, they can ask you how do they know you have fulfilled your residency obligations and still have valid Canadian PR status (if you don't, you are an immigration risk)? You'll have more issues entering the US than coming back into Canada, because at least CBSA have access to your records and can see on the system that you PR is still valid.

The airline can ask for your status in the US and where you reside permanently, and stuff like that where you may have to produce your Canadian PR, if they feel like you're a risk of being denied at immigration in the US.

If you're a US citizen this stuff doesn't apply, but just giving you a more detailed answer regarding the implications.

Im sorry my message was a bit confusing,

I am a permanent resident in Canada, have been for the past 13 years - my PR crd is expired and probably won't be renewed in time for my trip.

I have a trip booked on april 2nd, leaving from New brunswick - Canada to Punta cana, domincan republic - im wondering if i'd be able to board my flight here in New brunswick - Canada, to Punta Cana - Dominican and only book a RETURN flight to the U.S (with approval of a U.S VISA) and return by car/boarder with my papers.

Im worried that they would deny me boarding to LEAVE canada, with an expired PR card because my trip has a return flight included in the fare (to canada), even if i purchase my own return flight through the U.S separately,

 

[Islander216]

Im sorry my message was a bit confusing,

I am a permanent resident in Canada, have been for the past 13 years - my PR crd is expired and probably won't be renewed in time for my trip.

I have a trip booked on april 2nd, leaving from New brunswick - Canada to Punta cana, domincan republic - im wondering if i'd be able to board my flight here in New brunswick - Canada, to Punta Cana - Dominican and only book a RETURN flight to the U.S (with approval of a U.S VISA) and return by car/boarder with my papers.

Im worried that they would deny me boarding to LEAVE canada, with an expired PR card because my trip has a return flight included in the fare (to canada), even if i purchase my own return flight through the U.S separately,

There is no exit immigration in Canada so you are free to leave here and so it shouldn't be an issue. The only issue you may have is in DR if they ask for proof of residency in Canada as part of their inquiry when you enter the country, which they are entitled to ask. However, if you already have a return flight to the US I think you should be fine. The return ticket to Canada should not be an issue, it's only one if you were boarding a flight from DR back to Canada where having an expired PR card would be an issue.

But even with a US visa, you may be asked for your purpose for entering the US when you land there, if you're mentioning that you're crossing the border to Canada, you could be asked for proof of residency in Canada. Even if you were to say you're coming to the US as a tourist, they could ask you where you reside permanently, and when you say Canada, they can ask to see proof of residency as well to confirm that.

I'm not saying it can't be done or that you would definitely face those queries, but that can happen during immigration. They have wide scope to determine whether you're admissible or not. Also remember that airlines usually ask these questions because if a passenger is inadmissible at the port of entry, they get a heavy fine and need to repatriate you at their cost. So this is why they do a lot of due diligence to assess passengers for admissibility.

 

[Ponga]

Im worried that they would deny me boarding to LEAVE canada, with an expired PR card because my trip has a return flight included in the fare (to canada), even if i purchase my own return flight through the U.S separately,

You raise an interesting point; was not aware that you booked a return flight to Canada via the US.

If your return via the airline ends in Canada, they could be financially responsible for you if you are denied entry into either country (US or Canada). While you would, obvioulsy have a US visa to enter the US, you likely will NOT have your renewed PR Card to show the airline, should they ask.

Unfortunately, the airline employee(s) will not understand that the new PR Card is NOT needed for you to be allowed entry into Canada (CBSA encounter). Remember, just because a plane lands in Canada, passengers and crew do not enter Canada until CBSA allows them to enter following their examination.

 

[fmayhew96]

There is no exit immigration in Canada so you are free to leave here and so it shouldn't be an issue. The only issue you may have is in DR if they ask for proof of residency in Canada as part of their inquiry when you enter the country, which they are entitled to ask. However, if you already have a return flight to the US I think you should be fine. The return ticket to Canada should not be an issue, it's only one if you were boarding a flight from DR back to Canada where having an expired PR card would be an issue.

But even with a US visa, you may be asked for your purpose for entering the US when you land there, if you're mentioning that you're crossing the border to Canada, you could be asked for proof of residency in Canada. Even if you were to say you're coming to the US as a tourist, they could ask you where you reside permanently, and when you say Canada, they can ask to see proof of residency as well to confirm that.

I'm not saying it can't be done or that you would definitely face those queries, but that can happen during immigration. They have wide scope to determine whether you're admissible or not. Also remember that airlines usually ask these questions because if a passenger is inadmissible at the port of entry, they get a heavy fine and need to repatriate you at their cost. So this is why they do a lot of due diligence to assess passengers for admissibility.

thank you for the information,

If the U.S visa did ask those questions - could I not just show them my landing papers from back in 2011, expired PR and any other documents they ask? or would they require something specific?

I don't leave very often and when i have, I've always had a valid PR card so im a bit lost when it all comes to this.

 

[fmayhew96]

You raise an interesting point; was not aware that you booked a return flight to Canada via the US.

No, i would book a return flight to the U.S from the Dominican and cross the boarder via Personal vehicle.

 

[Islander216]

thank you for the information,

If the U.S visa did ask those questions - could I not just show them my landing papers from back in 2011, expired PR and any other documents they ask? or would they require something specific?

I don't leave very often and when i have, I've always had a valid PR card so im a bit lost when it all comes to this.

The problem is they could ask for proof that your PR status is still valid. What those documents show is that you obtained PR status, but people can lose their status, and so how do they know yours is still valid? You may not have renewed the card because you don't qualify or your application has been rejected, and you're trying to travel back on your old card.

 

[Ponga]

thank you for the information,

If the U.S visa did ask those questions - could I not just show them my landing papers from back in 2011, expired PR and any other documents they ask? or would they require something specific?

I don't leave very often and when i have, I've always had a valid PR card so im a bit lost when it all comes to this.

I don't see how your original PR landing papers will allow you to enter the US.

What passport do you hold? Do you require a visa to enter the US?

 

[fmayhew96]

The problem is they could ask for proof that your PR status is still valid. What those documents show is that you obtained PR status, but people can lose their status, and so how do they know yours is still valid? You may not have renewed the card because you don't qualify or your application has been rejected, and you're trying to travel back on your old card.

Okay that makes sense, i guess i thought that they can confirm in the system at the CANADA/US boarder but didn't think of the airport part because I'd apply for the ESTA before i leave for the dates etc.. I have the PR card application renewal sent off, its just waiting for it to be approved.

 

[fmayhew96]

I don't see how your original PR landing papers will allow you to enter the US.

What passport do you hold? Do you require a visa to enter the US?

I would apply for a U.S visa, i didn't say that i would use my landing papers etc to enter the U.S - only for when i return to Canada via the CANADA/US boarder.

 

[Islander216]

Have you linked your PR card application to your IRCC account? That's a good way of checking up on your application.

 

[Ponga]

I would apply for a U.S visa, i didn't say that i would use my landing papers etc to enter the U.S - only for when i return to Canada via the CANADA/US boarder.

Thought you did say that?

If the U.S visa did ask those questions - could I not just show them my landing papers from back in 2011, expired PR and any other documents they ask? or would they require something specific?