Travelling by plane after PR without a PR card?

[Cell]

Hi,
today I just landed and officialized my status as a permanent resident (I was already in Canada on a work permit).

The officer at the border, however, told me that until I get the PR card I can't travel by plane, but only by car/bus through the border. This because the COPR, while it's recognized at the Canadian customs, it may not be recognized by airlines, so - he said - I may get denied boarding while going back to Canada.

I may have to travel by plane to the US in about 7-10 days for a job interview thou... I can't wait 2 months to get the PR card. I am from a visa-exempt country, so usually people from my country may just have to show the eTA number, if asked; since I also still have my eTA, I'm not sure why I should get denied boarding.

Has anybody travelled by plane in a similar situation? Did you face any difficulty?


Thanks!

 

[scylla]

You won't be able to board a plane to Canada unless you have a valid PR card or have a PR travel document. You cannot apply for a PR travel document until you are outside of Canada and they typically take 1-2 weeks to obtain.

One option would be to fly to a US airport close to the Canadian border (e.g. Buffalo) and then cross over the border into Canada using a private vehicle and your COPR.

 

[Cell]

You won't be able to board a plane to Canada unless you have a valid PR card or have a PR travel document. You cannot apply for a PR travel document until you are outside of Canada and they typically take 1-2 weeks to obtain.

One option would be to fly to a US airport close to the Canadian border (e.g. Buffalo) and then cross over the border into Canada using a private vehicle and your COPR.

Yeah, I was thinking about doing something like that, but I don't drive. Are commercial buses ok for travelling without PR card?

Has anybody managed to travel without PR Card?

 

[spth38]

My eTA got cancelled by CIC. Don't rely on your eTA. Either got a PRTD or drive across the border.

here is the email I got from CIC

Following an assessment of your file, it has been determined that you no longer meet the requirements for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). As a result, your eTA has been cancelled.

Your application has been cancelled for the following reason(s):
You are ineligible to hold an eTA as you are a Canadian Permanent Resident. As a Canadian permanent resident, you will need to present a valid Permanent Resident Card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document when travelling to Canada.

Your file is now closed. Should you wish to reapply for an eTA, we encourage you to do so only once you have addressed the reason(s) for the cancellation of your application. At that time, you may submit a new application at www.canada.ca/eTA.

You are no longer considered to hold a valid eTA. As such, you should not plan or undertake any travel to Canada by air. If you do decide to travel to Canada, you may experience delays or be prevented from boarding your flight and/or entering Canada.

 

[Cell]

My eTA got cancelled by CIC. Don't rely on your eTA. Either got a PRTD or drive across the border.

here is the email I got from CIC

Following an assessment of your file, it has been determined that you no longer meet the requirements for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). As a result, your eTA has been cancelled.

Your application has been cancelled for the following reason(s):
You are ineligible to hold an eTA as you are a Canadian Permanent Resident. As a Canadian permanent resident, you will need to present a valid Permanent Resident Card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document when travelling to Canada.

Your file is now closed. Should you wish to reapply for an eTA, we encourage you to do so only once you have addressed the reason(s) for the cancellation of your application. At that time, you may submit a new application at www.canada.ca/eTA.

You are no longer considered to hold a valid eTA. As such, you should not plan or undertake any travel to Canada by air. If you do decide to travel to Canada, you may experience delays or be prevented from boarding your flight and/or entering Canada.

I don't think I can get a Travel Document if I'm inside Canada. I could still give the address of a friend in the US, but on the application they explicitly ask when was last time I was in Canada.

Do you think the airlines do actually check the validity of the eTA? or they just want to see you applied?

 

[spth38]

I don't think I can get a Travel Document if I'm inside Canada. I could still give the address of a friend in the US, but on the application they explicitly ask when was last time I was in Canada.

Do you think the airlines do actually check the validity of the eTA? or they just want to see you applied?

I'm sure they will check the eTA as it is a regulation for flying back to Canada. Looks like your are in BC now. Probably better to fly to Seattle and take a bus home for the moment.

 

[Cell]

I'm sure they will check the eTA as it is a regulation for flying back to Canada. Looks like your are in BC now. Probably better to fly to Seattle and take a bus home for the moment.

That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure if there may be a problem with all commercial vehicles, bus included, or if it's just for airlines. I'm anyway pretty positive that the bus drivers won't be checking if the eTA is valid.

 

[spth38]

That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure if there may be a problem with all commercial vehicles, bus included, or if it's just for airlines. I'm anyway pretty positive that the bus drivers won't be checking if the eTA is valid.

eTA is for air travel only.

 

[Cell]

Awesome. I will probably try to check with the IRCC if there is any way to get some kind of Travel Document or an expedite PR card, or even just to know if airlines are at least able to double-check with IRCC at check-in/boarding if I'm allowed to get in the country. I may try to contact the airline too.

If I feel it's too risky, I'll try with a flight to Seattle, then bus. If for any reason I'm denied boarding on the bus too, I'll have to ask a friend in Seattle to drive me to the border.

 

[scylla]

I don't think I can get a Travel Document if I'm inside Canada. I could still give the address of a friend in the US, but on the application they explicitly ask when was last time I was in Canada.

Do you think the airlines do actually check the validity of the eTA? or they just want to see you applied?

No - that won't work. You need to be outside of Canada before you can apply.

Yes - expect the airline to check the validity of the eTA - standard procedure now (I believe they are required to do so) and they can easily do this through their computer systems.

Technically you can only cross the border in a private vehicle (e.g. rented car, friend's car) with only a COPR. A bus is a commerical vehicle. I don't know if bus companies can check the validity of an eTA like airlines can.

 

[Cell]

No - that won't work. You need to be outside of Canada before you can apply.

Yes - expect the airline to check the validity of the eTA - standard procedure now (I believe they are required to do so) and they can easily do this through their computer systems.

Technically you can only cross the border in a private vehicle (e.g. rented car, friend's car) with only a COPR. A bus is a commerical vehicle. I don't know if bus companies can check the validity of an eTA like airlines can.

Yeah, I read that technically I can't use any commercial vehicle, but I have taken the bus across the border once, and I don't remember the bus driver to check much, maybe just the passport. Also, as spth38 made me notice, eTA is for air travels only, which means that it's not even required to board on a bus.