Confusion about if and why I need a PR card to fly to Canada as a PR?

[waxweasel]

Hi,

I landed for my PR in Canada about 2 years and 7 months ago, and will need to return in about 3 months approx. to maintain my PR status. After I had originally landed, I left Canada 18 days later, and my PR card (which took a few weeks to prepare and send out) was sent to a friend of mine in Toronto. She has it now, and I told her to just keep it safe until I come back.

A little while ago, I received a generic email from CIC (I think!?) reminding "all PR holders that you must have a PR card OR official Travel document letter to board a flight to Canada as a PR of Canada".

I am just wondering if indeed I need my friend to send me the PR card before I fly to Canada, or whether it is ok to just fly there anyway, as I have my original PR confirmation letter, and I am a citizen of a country that does not ordinarily require any type of visa to fly to Canada.

Surely a citizen of Australia,ordinarily NOT needing a visa of any type to fly to Canada, does not suddenly need to be in possession of a Canada PR card just because they've become a PR?
Can I not just fly to Canada using my Australian passport - like any ordinary Australian traveller would (even though I happen to be a PR of Canada too)?

Anyone know the ins and outs of this?

 

[scylla]

Yes - your friend needs to send you your PR card. You require either a valid PR card or a valid PR Travel Document in order to board the airplane to Canada. No - you cannot fly on your passport alone. Ordinary Australians cannot fly on their passports alone either - they must obtain eTAs. You do not qualify for an eTA since you are a Canadian permanent resident.

 

[scylla]

Information about permanent resident travel requirements:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-permanent-resident-travel-document.html

Information about eTAs:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html

 

[qureishi]

I don't think you need PR card to enter Canada. Lets see other people response.

 

[waxweasel]

Thank you Scylla. It seems pretty black and white from that link you included. As a non-PR Australian, I would need an eta anyway (which is weird, because when I came to Canada to land as a PR almost 3 years ago, I did not need any eta), but as a PR of Canada, I am not eligible for an eta and, it states, "...must have a valid PR card or valid travel document".
The stipulations are laid out in that eta link in no uncertain terms.

So yes, it seems I do need my friend to send the card.

I do have to say though, that it seems quite odd, that I have more onus and documentary requirements on me as a PR of Canada, than a regular non-PR Australian passport holder would. You'd think I'd have the luxury of having an easier time travelling to Canada as a Canadian PR, not have it be even more difficult than your average visa=exempt traveller. That part is definitely perplexing to me.

 

[zardoz]

I don't think you need PR card to enter Canada. Lets see other people response.

You don't need it to ENTER Canada. You DO need it to get onto a commercial transport TO Canada.

 

[zardoz]

Thank you Scylla. It seems pretty black and white from that link you included. As a non-PR Australian, I would need an eta anyway (which is weird, because when I came to Canada to land as a PR almost 3 years ago, I did not need any eta), but as a PR of Canada, I am not eligible for an eta and, it states, "...must have a valid PR card or valid travel document".
The stipulations are laid out in that eta link in no uncertain terms.

So yes, it seems I do need my friend to send the card.

I do have to say though, that it seems quite odd, that I have more onus and documentary requirements on me as a PR of Canada, than a regular non-PR Australian passport holder would. You'd think I'd have the luxury of having an easier time travelling to Canada as a Canadian PR, not have it be even more difficult than your average visa=exempt traveller. That part is definitely perplexing to me.

Part of the logic behind this is to prevent Permanent Residents, who may not be in compliance with the Residency Obligation requirements, travelling with expired PR cards,. It forces them to obtain a PRTD, during which the residency examination can be performed.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thank you Scylla. It seems pretty black and white from that link you included. As a non-PR Australian, I would need an eta anyway (which is weird, because when I came to Canada to land as a PR almost 3 years ago, I did not need any eta), but as a PR of Canada, I am not eligible for an eta and, it states, "...must have a valid PR card or valid travel document".
The stipulations are laid out in that eta link in no uncertain terms.

So yes, it seems I do need my friend to send the card.

I do have to say though, that it seems quite odd, that I have more onus and documentary requirements on me as a PR of Canada, than a regular non-PR Australian passport holder would. You'd think I'd have the luxury of having an easier time travelling to Canada as a Canadian PR, not have it be even more difficult than your average visa=exempt traveller. That part is definitely perplexing to me.

The eTA rules were not around 3 years ago. So back then anyone (PR or not) could simply fly to Canada on any visa-exempt passport.

However even under current rules, an eTA is now automatically linked to your passport when your PR is approved so you can fly to Canada to land as PR without having to go through eTA process yourself. An eTA is not a physical document, it's simply an authorization linked directly to your passport.

As long as a PR simply has their valid PR card, the process to board a plane to Canada and to enter Canada, are much easier than a random visitor. It's just when PRs don't have their PR card on them, does it get more complicated. Canadian citizens who are dual citizens and only have their non-Canadian passport, also face the same issues as they would be denied boarding without Canadian passport.

 

[scylla]

Thank you Scylla. It seems pretty black and white from that link you included. As a non-PR Australian, I would need an eta anyway (which is weird, because when I came to Canada to land as a PR almost 3 years ago, I did not need any eta), but as a PR of Canada, I am not eligible for an eta and, it states, "...must have a valid PR card or valid travel document".
The stipulations are laid out in that eta link in no uncertain terms.

So yes, it seems I do need my friend to send the card.

I do have to say though, that it seems quite odd, that I have more onus and documentary requirements on me as a PR of Canada, than a regular non-PR Australian passport holder would. You'd think I'd have the luxury of having an easier time travelling to Canada as a Canadian PR, not have it be even more difficult than your average visa=exempt traveller. That part is definitely perplexing to me.

Rules have changed over the last few years and what was required 3 years ago no longer applies - both for PRs and visitors to Canada.

You do have an easier time traveling to Canada than a non-PR / visitor. You're expected to have your PR card with you / take your PR card with you when you travel. And that's all you need to travel back to Canada (other than your passport) - nothing more. The PR card is a basic and important Canadian identity document and IMHO it didn't make sense to leave something so important behind with a friend. In the event your PR card is lost, a PR Travel Document is very easy to obtain provided you meet the residency requirement. You also have the option of flying to the US and re-entering Canada by land using your COPR and in a private vehicle.

I'm honestly not sure what the big deal is. Have your friend courier your PR card to you and you're all good.