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ETA Denied for Danish Ctzn because of expired PR status in 1980's?

VermiciousKnish

Hero Member
Feb 27, 2014
223
2
Hey everyone,

A fellow with danish citizenship is trying to fly to Canada to visit his children. He became a permanent resident while living in Canada in the 1970's but let his PR status lapse in the 80's when he moved to Denmark. ETA was rejected now, apparently on the basis for failing to renounce his PR status.

Is one required to renounce their PR status? Does it not automatically cease to exist if you do not apply for renewal? Can this hold back an ETA? If so, is there a way to clear this up quickly? Dad wants to travel to visit his kids this week.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,204
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hey everyone,

A fellow with danish citizenship is trying to fly to Canada to visit his children. He became a permanent resident while living in Canada in the 1970's but let his PR status lapse in the 80's when he moved to Denmark. ETA was rejected now, apparently on the basis for failing to renounce his PR status.

Is one required to renounce their PR status? Does it not automatically cease to exist if you do not apply for renewal? Can this hold back an ETA? If so, is there a way to clear this up quickly? Dad wants to travel to visit his kids this week.
Hi

PR status does not expire. A person remains a PR until their staus is formally revoked by the government or they renounce it themselves.

He needs to renounce his PR status. I doubt he has enough time to do this and get the eTA in such a short time. Alternatively, he can fly to the USA and enter at a land border in a private car or on foot.
 

VermiciousKnish

Hero Member
Feb 27, 2014
223
2
Hi

PR status does not expire. A person remains a PR until their staus is formally revoked by the government or they renounce it themselves.

He needs to renounce his PR status. I doubt he has enough time to do this and get the eTA in such a short time. Alternatively, he can fly to the USA and enter at a land border in a private car or on foot.
I was not aware of that. I guess that can hold up an ETA? I am assuming you do not need at ETA at the land border crossings? Will he need an ESTA for travel to the USA?
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,204
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
I was not aware of that. I guess that can hold up an ETA? I am assuming you do not need at ETA at the land border crossings? Will he need an ESTA for travel to the USA?
eTAs can't be issued to PRs, so yes, it will be delayed until he sorts it out.

For him, the important fact is that a PR card or PRTD isn't needed for a PR to cross a land border.
 

VermiciousKnish

Hero Member
Feb 27, 2014
223
2
It seems like he would need to apply for an ESTA under then new Visa Waiver Program in the USA. Any idea how long these applications take to process? Are they instantaneous like the ETA?