Entering Canada with an expired PR card - urgent please help.

[MIKE88]

Hi
I need some advice here.
My PR card is expiring in Dec 2016.
I have applied for renewal in Sept 2016, and I have fulfilled my residency requirement. I am due to travel in 2 weeks, and I have included a copy of my air ticket as proof.
Just received an email from the PR office that my file has been sent for a secondary review.


From reading this thread, I gather that I can:

1. Forfeit my air ticket and wait for the outcome of the review, which is expensive considering the air ticket is not refundable.
2. Continue with my travel and either apply for PRTD or return via the US by car.
3. Any other options from anyone?

BTW what is secondary review, what are the implications?

Thanks!

 

[Rob_TO]

1. Forfeit my air ticket and wait for the outcome of the review, which is expensive considering the air ticket is not refundable.
2. Continue with my travel and either apply for PRTD or return via the US by car.
3. Any other options from anyone?

No other options, what you stated are the only options you have. Unless you happen to be a US citizen in which case you're eTA exempt so can most likely return on passport alone.

BTW what is secondary review, what are the implications?

As far as I know this means they have doubts about some of the dates you've claimed as being physically in Canada, so are checking in more detail. Implications is this can add months/years to processing time.

 

[cempjwi]

Hi
I need some advice here.
My PR card is expiring in Dec 2016.
I have applied for renewal in Sept 2016, and I have fulfilled my residency requirement. I am due to travel in 2 weeks, and I have included a copy of my air ticket as proof.
Just received an email from the PR office that my file has been sent for a secondary review.


From reading this thread, I gather that I can:

1. Forfeit my air ticket and wait for the outcome of the review, which is expensive considering the air ticket is not refundable.
2. Continue with my travel and either apply for PRTD or return via the US by car.
3. Any other options from anyone?

BTW what is secondary review, what are the implications?

Thanks!

You did not say when you are coming back bu i am guessing after your card expires.

In terms of cost, taking option 2 will cause you to basically forfeit your ticket. Airlines tend to not consider a change in return destination unless a hefty fee is paid, if it is even allowed. Tickets that are usually non-refundable may be date changeable, and a portion of what you paid could be used towards the purchase of another ticket on the same route (they have cancellation fees that may vary significantly between airlines). Unless you bought an extremely cheap ticket and it is a highly restricted fare, you may be able to postpone your trip for up to a year after the date of purchase. If you can change the date, you most likely be required to pay for the difference on the new fare right away, that is, you cannot keep a credit unless used immediately upon cancellation.

 

[sayadil]

Hey guys

Similar question!! I returned to Canada in oct after spending 2.5 yrs away but I did spend around 900 days before leaving Canada in 2014.
In October I had applied for renewal of my PR Card expiring 30 November... but my file has gone into secondary review. I really need to travel to us for a month... will it be safe to travel to USA for a month and come back with an expired PR but in a Canadian private car. I travelled to us twice in last one month that I've been back and had no issues coming in with a PR which was close to expiring.

Wondering knowing on the system that I entered the border twice recently and the fact my PR card renewal application is already under way I should be able to enter Canada with expired PR???

 

[raJkkn]

Dear Gurus ,

I have an expired PR card (2009). Last time I left Canada was end of 2008 as I was not able to get a job there. Currently I work and live in USA. In 2006 - 2008 I always traveled by a car back forward from Canada to USA and they never stamp my passport. I don't meet the residency obligation but I am planning to move back to Canada very soon as I got a job offer there. Once I enter Canada, I am planning to wait for awhile till I meet the residency obligation and renew my PR.

I am not sure what my options here are. Should apply travel document or enter Canadian border by a car (a rented car with Canadian registered)?

Btw, I just renewed my passport in Oct 2010, and my passport is pretty much black, clear, no records for any travels, and no sign of any Canadian connection to it. I still have a valid driver's license, SIN card, Healthcare Card and bank account.

I would like to know – if any – my options to enter Canada without getting my PR to be revoked. Any ideas or advices will be highly appreciated.

Questions:
1. Will they let me in if I enter Canadian border by a rented car and show them an expired PR card?

2. If they are not satisfied with my answers regarding my residency obligation, what will happen? Is there any possibility they will deport me from Canada right away? I still have all valid cards (driver's license, SIN card, Healthcare card, Bank Account). The address on the driver's licenses is still valid as I use my friend address in Canada.

3. What kind of documents or information that I need to provide to show them that I still tie with Canada?

4. If I apply TD, how much chance will I get that approved?

Thank you ,

Brandon

 

[FIRA62]

Hello,
We left Canada in 2013 with expired PR cards.
We applied for renewal and got letter from CIC to visit them but since we traveled out we were unable to go to CIC.
Since then we didn't return to Canada due to unavoidable circumstances back home. Our parents illness and their passing away.
Can we now return to Canada via Niagara, USA by rental car?
What can we expect at the border??
Please advise.

 

[Rob_TO]

Hello,
We left Canada in 2013 with expired PR cards.
We applied for renewal and got letter from CIC to visit them but since we traveled out we were unable to go to CIC.
Since then we didn't return to Canada due to unavoidable circumstances back home. Our parents illness and their passing away.
Can we now return to Canada via Niagara, USA by rental car?
What can we expect at the border??
Please advise.

When you applied for renewal some time ago, did you meet the RO at that time?

Sounds like you don't meet the Residency Obligation now. You can certainly return by Niagara land border. Most likely CBSA will question you about not meeting the RO, and you can present them your H&C reasons (parents sickness) which you should get backed up with notes/receipts from doctors, hospitals, specialists etc that show it was essential you remained back in your home country.

If CBSA waves you into Canada, then you could either apply for PR Card renewal on same H&C reasons, or safer option would be to wait inside Canada for 2 straight years without leaving to come back into compliance with the RO.

If CBSA doesn't accept your H&C reasons, it may lead to you being reported and starting process to revoke your PR status. You would still be able to enter Canada, and could choose to appeal this decision.

 

[FIRA62]

When you applied for renewal some time ago, did you meet the RO at that time?

Sounds like you don't meet the Residency Obligation now. You can certainly return by Niagara land border. Most likely CBSA will question you about not meeting the RO, and you can present them your H&C reasons (parents sickness) which you should get backed up with notes/receipts from doctors, hospitals, specialists etc that show it was essential you remained back in your home country.

If CBSA waves you into Canada, then you could either apply for PR Card renewal on same H&C reasons, or safer option would be to wait inside Canada for 2 straight years without leaving to come back into compliance with the RO.

If CBSA doesn't accept your H&C reasons, it may lead to you being reported and starting process to revoke your PR status. You would still be able to enter Canada, and could choose to appeal this decision.

Thank you Rob.
We are planning to be in US next month and will hopefully drive in to Canada.

 

[tiamo]

Hi all,

My PR card will be expired on July 19/2017 and I do get RO & already sent my application for renew it last month. I bought the air tix to travel to the US for 3 days from July 15 to July 17/2017. My question is: will Canada custom let me in?

Thanks,

 

[Bs65]

Hi all,

My PR card will be expired on July 19/2017 and I do get RO & already sent my application for renew it last month. I bought the air tix to travel to the US for 3 days from July 15 to July 17/2017. My question is: will Canada custom let me in?

Thanks,

Your PR card still valid during your trip so why not ?

The question really should be will I still be able to board a plane given even if the card is expired its not CBSA you might have issue with but the airline. But your card still valid through July 19 anyway and your return flight is 7/17

 

[tiamo]

Your PR card still valid during your trip so why not ?

The question really should be will I still be able to board a plane given even if the card is expired its not CBSA you might have issue with but the airline. But your card still valid through July 19 anyway and your return flight is 7/17

Thanks, I know it's a very silly question but people told me I shouldn't travel outside of Canada during the period of 6 months before my PR card is expired. It doesn't make sense to me but I'd like to confirm. Thanks a lot

 

[outflare]

JUST JOINED THIS THREAD
i have applied for renewal of pr card and is still waiting .
now i need to travel
what are my best options
get a PRTD or enter from U.S.A ?

 

[trevorjack84]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice if you can help? Our situation, my wife is a Canadian Citizen and I am a British Citizen with Canadian PR. We moved to Canada Aug 2012 and spent 4 years and 4 months in Canada as part of my PR. In Nov 2016 we moved to the US for my job (US company under 0-1 visa). My Canadian PR is due to expire the end of Aug 2017 (in 4 weeks). Unfortunately, before moving to the US I was unable to renew my PR for another 5 years as we didn't have time due to my job.

We don't want my PR to expire as we'll likely move back to Canada in the next year or two. My questions are then:

1) Can I extend my PR even though we live in the US? I don't believe I can but we have heard that as my wife is a Canadian Citizen living at the same address it may be different?
2) If not, I understand I can request a PRTD when we do return to Canada to reside in a year or two. However, we will likely visit Canada often in the meantime to visit family and friends. Will I need to apply for a PRTD each time? Or can we visit Canada for a vacation (flying) with my British passport and expired Canadian PR without risking our chances or returning in the future with a PRTD?

Any help or advice you can offer is much appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice if you can help? Our situation, my wife is a Canadian Citizen and I am a British Citizen with Canadian PR. We moved to Canada Aug 2012 and spent 4 years and 4 months in Canada as part of my PR. In Nov 2016 we moved to the US for my job (US company under 0-1 visa). My Canadian PR is due to expire the end of Aug 2017 (in 4 weeks). Unfortunately, before moving to the US I was unable to renew my PR for another 5 years as we didn't have time due to my job.

We don't want my PR to expire as we'll likely move back to Canada in the next year or two. My questions are then:

1) Can I extend my PR even though we live in the US? I don't believe I can but we have heard that as my wife is a Canadian Citizen living at the same address it may be different?

Time spent living with Canadian citizen spouse anywhere in the world, typically counts towards your PR residency obligation meaning you will always be in compliance.

However the wording of the rule is "Accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada". In your case since it's you that moved to US for work, it's your Canadian citizen spouse that is accompanying you. I've heard IRCC can investigate more in these situations and potentially cause problems with the RO exemption, although I don't know how diligently or often they look at this.

Either way, you can't apply for PR card renewal while in the US. You can only do this when physically in Canada (although you could then leave again), and would need to provide an address in Canada where they could send PR card to. Or IRCC may ask you to pick up the card in person from their office.

2) If not, I understand I can request a PRTD when we do return to Canada to reside in a year or two. However, we will likely visit Canada often in the meantime to visit family and friends. Will I need to apply for a PRTD each time? Or can we visit Canada for a vacation (flying) with my British passport and expired Canadian PR without risking our chances or returning in the future with a PRTD?

PR TD or a valid PR card is mandatory for you to board an airplane to Canada. You will not be allowed boarding without it, as British passports require eTA to fly which you are ineligible for while a PR.
Sometimes you can get multiple-entry PR TDs to avoid hassle of continually applying for them.

Alternatively you can enter Canada via land border anytime. No PR TD or valid PR card is required, CBSA can easily determine your PR status with just passport and say expired PR card or COPR.

 

[trevorjack84]

Time spent living with Canadian citizen spouse anywhere in the world, typically counts towards your PR residency obligation meaning you will always be in compliance.

However the wording of the rule is "Accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada". In your case since it's you that moved to US for work, it's your Canadian citizen spouse that is accompanying you. I've heard IRCC can investigate more in these situations and potentially cause problems with the RO exemption, although I don't know how diligently or often they look at this.

Either way, you can't apply for PR card renewal while in the US. You can only do this when physically in Canada (although you could then leave again), and would need to provide an address in Canada where they could send PR card to. Or IRCC may ask you to pick up the card in person from their office.



PR TD or a valid PR card is mandatory for you to board an airplane to Canada. You will not be allowed boarding without it, as British passports require eTA to fly which you are ineligible for while a PR.
Sometimes you can get multiple-entry PR TDs to avoid hassle of continually applying for them.

Alternatively you can enter Canada via land border anytime. No PR TD or valid PR card is required, CBSA can easily determine your PR status with just passport and say expired PR card or COPR.

Thank you Rob

Really appreciate the quick response. With regards to applying for the PR card renewal when physically in Canada. We are visiting Aug 3rd - 15th so could apply for the renewal whilst in Canada and provide our families address in Canada where the PR card could be sent to. My concern with that is the IMM 5444 notes your current residential address in Canada. I don't want to put our old address as our travel records have us leaving last year. Should we put our US address? Should we accompany the application with details of our situation?

Great to know I couldn't visit Canada with the expired PR via a flight with my British passport. I haven't heard of the multiple entry PR TDs, how do you signify that you want to apply for that? Is there a limit to the amount of PR TDs I could apply for? On average how lengthy can the processing time be? I ask as if there is a family emergency in Canada and we need to visit (family is getting older) it would be good to know the level of flexibility I have to accompany my wife.

Thank you again for your help

Trevor