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Rsquare

Star Member
Apr 12, 2017
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I still don't have my PR card. I am here in the US right now but am planning to fly straight to Canada with only a COPR (plus american passport). Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know the rules and regulations (so no need to quote them.) I need people who actually have experience doing this to share what they experienced.

Thanks so much.
 
I still don't have my PR card. I am here in the US right now but am planning to fly straight to Canada with only a COPR (plus american passport). Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know the rules and regulations (so no need to quote them.) I need people who actually have experience doing this to share what they experienced.

Thanks so much.

Don't show your COPR to the airline. If you tell them you are a PR, they may refuse to board you without a PR card or PRTD.

You need to present yourself to the airline as just a visitor. When you arrive in Canada, you then present yourself as a PR to CBSA.
 
You have an American passport, so can board a plane to Canada without an eTA. That's all you need. Show the COPR to the CBSA officer, as you'll need to prove you're a PR at that point.
 
Hi, Rsquare! My husband and I had a similar issue when we didn't receive his PR card within the typical 3 month period. I wouldn't suggest flying internationally without the PR card. Your COPR is not a valid travel document and doesn't guarantee you entry into Canada. You could pretend to be traveling as a visitor but I wouldn't recommend it. Lying to CBSA could go very poorly for you. Is there any way you can contact your MP? They have a direct line to CIC and can help you get that card quickly. We met with ours and had the card in our hands within 10 days - just in time for our trip!
 
Hi, Rsquare! My husband and I had a similar issue when we didn't receive his PR card within the typical 3 month period. I wouldn't suggest flying internationally without the PR card. Your COPR is not a valid travel document and doesn't guarantee you entry into Canada. You could pretend to be traveling as a visitor but I wouldn't recommend it. Lying to CBSA could go very poorly for you. Is there any way you can contact your MP? They have a direct line to CIC and can help you get that card quickly. We met with ours and had the card in our hands within 10 days - just in time for our trip!

What are you on about? Read the previous posts, as no one advised lying to CBSA. The advice clearly states to present as a visitor to the airline and as a PR to CBSA. A PR has the right of entry into Canada regardless of whether they have a PR card or not.
 
I still don't have my PR card. I am here in the US right now but am planning to fly straight to Canada with only a COPR (plus american passport). Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know the rules and regulations (so no need to quote them.) I need people who actually have experience doing this to share what they experienced.

Thanks so much.
Or if possible you can anytime/always drive through Canada Border with your COPR and any passport.
Yes airlines will definitely want to see PR/PRTD, or they can turn you back.
 
I still don't have my PR card. I am here in the US right now but am planning to fly straight to Canada with only a COPR (plus american passport). Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know the rules and regulations (so no need to quote them.) I need people who actually have experience doing this to share what they experienced.

Thanks so much.
As other suggested just show passport to airline but show COPR to immigration officer. This may be okay.
Else idle is to fly near the border like buffalo airport. Then use private car to enter canada with COPR. That is perfect legal
 
What are you on about? Read the previous posts, as no one advised lying to CBSA. The advice clearly states to present as a visitor to the airline and as a PR to CBSA. A PR has the right of entry into Canada regardless of whether they have a PR card or not.

Whoops! I must have misread something - my bad! The issue we ran into was that my husband couldn't obtain an eTA as an Austrian citizen, so he wouldn't have been allowed on the plane back home without a valid PR card. Since the Americans don't need that, OP should definitely have an easier time.
 
Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions. :) i finally flew using only my COPR. The airline did ask me my residence, and I said US because I still maintain a residence in California. When I got to the Canadian airport, I declared that Im a PR and proceeded for the check. I showed my passport (US) and COPR. The officer asked me where my card is, I told him it's still in process. He checked his computer, and said, "welcome back."

It was uneventful (thank God).

So that was my experience. Thank you again for your comments and suggestions. :) Much appreciated. :)
 
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Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions. :) i finally flew using only my COPR. The airline did ask me my residence, and I said US because I still maintain a residence in California. When I got to the Canadian airport, I declared that Im a PR and proceeded for the check. I showed my passport (US) and COPR. The officer asked me where my card is, I told him it's still in process. He checked his computer, and said, "welcome back."

It was uneventful (thank God).

So that was my experience. Thank you again for your comments and suggestions. :) Much appreciated. :)
And now your experience can be used a perfect example for members who have the same concerns as yours. Congratulations!
 
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Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions. :) i finally flew using only my COPR. The airline did ask me my residence, and I said US because I still maintain a residence in California. When I got to the Canadian airport, I declared that Im a PR and proceeded for the check. I showed my passport (US) and COPR. The officer asked me where my card is, I told him it's still in process. He checked his computer, and said, "welcome back."

It was uneventful (thank God).

So that was my experience. Thank you again for your comments and suggestions. :) Much appreciated. :)

My husband flew in and out of Canada multiple times between landing and receiving his PR card. No issues. He's American too.
 
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My husband flew in and out of Canada multiple times between landing and receiving his PR card. No issues. He's American too.

It's good to know that this can be done :) And Im happy you said your husband did this a few times...which means that it is a regular occurrence :) Thank you for this information :)