Re-entry into Canada from the US, without TRV, but valid work permit

[TravelerToUS]

Indian passport. Traveling from Toronto to Vegas on march 17 & returning on march 23.

living in Canada since 2022. have an expired trv in passport. BUT have a valid work permit approved till 2027.

have applied for new trv but won't get it by march 17.

Can i travel to US and fly back on a commercial airline with just work permit?

Law says i can but looking for practical recent examples.

 

[forevermore76]

Indian passport. Traveling from Toronto to Vegas on march 17 & returning on march 23.

living in Canada since 2022. have an expired trv in passport. BUT have a valid work permit approved till 2027.

have applied for new trv but won't get it by march 17.

Can i travel to US and fly back on a commercial airline with just work permit?

Law says i can but looking for practical recent examples.

The airline might not understand and refuse boarding, there's always a risk. Drive to JFK and catch a flight, land border is your best bet if you want to avoid surprises.

 

[andrews17]

As far as I know, you need a valid TRV to enter Canada. So short answer is no.

 

[scylla]

As far as I know, you need a valid TRV to enter Canada. So short answer is no.

Not if the travel is only to the US

 

[canuck78]

Not if the travel is only to the US

Knew this was possible by land but air too?

 

[forevermore76]

Knew this was possible by land but air too?

If the airline understands, yes. Most will be thrown off by an expired visa but the rule does allow it. Given how badly US wants to kick illegals out though, they might not care as long as it's someone leaving. Lol

 

[Copingwithlife]

All airlines use a system called Ti-matic for visa requirements . It’s linked to IATA. It’s standard

I just put in the op details and it states a visa is required
However an agent would have to dig deeper for the exemptions.

50/50 if they’d do that . More than likely they wouldn’t and tell the person they’d need a visa and refuse boarding

Also depends upon the airline . If it was AC, more than likely they’d be familiar with the rules . US carriers , no they wouldn’t be familiar

 

[TravelerToUS]

Update -

So, if you do not have a valid Canadian visa stamped in your passport, BUT have a valid work permit, you can leave Canada and then enter Canada back -

ONLY IF YOUR TRAVEL IS LIMITED TO THE UNITED STATES.

I tried this last week and it worked. However, ONE CONDITION - ONLY FLY AIR CANADA. THEY ARE THE ONLY AIRLINE THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE YOU.

I was advised to book a Canadian airline so i booked WestJet to fly from Vegas to Toronto. You cannot check in online, you can only check in, in person, at the airport.

I told Westjet i did not have a visa, check me in and issue me a boarding pass. WestJet agent called Canada Border Services Agency, provided my details, confirmed my travel was in the US only. CBSA instructed WestJet to check me in and issue me a boarding pass. So far so good.

WestJet agent said she's not able to check me in as her computer has the Visa as a mandatory field. However, agents have the option to call WestJet headquarters and ask them to overrule the computer and issue me a boarding pass. My agent called and told them CBSA ordered them to board me, WestJet corporate REFUSED! They told me no airline will fly me, i had to fly to Buffalo and enter through land on the rainbow bridge.

I was angry and immediately went to Air Canada at the same airporttime. Told them the same story. They had a flight in 2 hours. They told me - eff WJ, purchase air canada ticket, we WILL board you and fly you.

So i purchase AC ticket, AC agent calls CBSA, CBSA tells him to board me, he instantly issues me a boarding pass and i fly back no problem.

TLDR: You can fly to Canada without a visa, provided

1. you have a work permit
2. only travel to the US
3. fly Air Canada

Happy to answer any questions. I thought this was important to share so that others after me can use this method.