My wife is an American citizen but is a Canadian permanent resident. She wants to travel to Mexico in a few weeks with her sister, but her PR card expired and she is still waiting for the new one. Since she is American and has a US passport will she be able to get back into Canada (will they let her board the plane since she doesn't need to show a visa or eTA?) without a current PR card?
American Returning to Canada with expired PR card
- Thread starter ecallawwerdna
- Start date
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), no matter how you travel back to Canada, you must prove to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer that you have valid permanent resident status. This applies to all family members who are permanent residents, including children.
You require a valid PR card or a valid Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to re-enter Canada by commercial carrier (train, plane, boat or bus). You will not be permitted to board a commercial carrier, if you cannot prove you can enter Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-permanent-resident-travel-document.html
Americans are both eTA and visa-exempt. They can board a commercial carrier to Canada on the strength of just their passport.
Well that's great! But is there anywhere that states that? Everything I find on government websites says they need a valid PR card, and I can't find anything about americans specifically.
Also, if she does get on the plane and gets back in to Canada, what will happen at customs? Thanks for your help!
As someone stated above, she can board the plane using her US Passport alone. It's hit or miss with CBSA. I have only had to show my PR card once and that was because they weren't able to see my PR status attached to my Nexus card and was quizzing me on how I was living and working in Canada.
There is nothing stated on the website because it is a loophole. Prior to the implementation of the eTA, every visa-exempt PR could travel to Canada without a PR card or PRTD but the website still stated it was required. There are numerous recent threads about Americans travelling without PR cards.
She shows her expired PR card and says she is waiting for a new one.
US citizens don't require eTA, PR cards (if PRs), or Canadian passports (if Canadian citizens) to board a commercial airline heading towards Canada.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1116&top=16
Just show up with your passport and they would let you board the plane.
Once at the border or port of entry, it matters not what your citizenship is, CBSA has to let any PR in.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1116&top=16
Just show up with your passport and they would let you board the plane.
Once at the border or port of entry, it matters not what your citizenship is, CBSA has to let any PR in.