re-entering Canada with CoPR+work visa/permit?

[limm]

Hi all,

I have a tricky question. I did much research, but am unable to find a relevant answer.

Before I got coPR in March, 2021, I hold a three-year work visa and work permit, which haven't expired yet.

I got CoPR in March 2021 from inside Canada, and I applied for PR card (landing is waived) immediately after CoPR, but haven't received my PR card yet.

I need to travel outside Canada. Can I re-enter Canada with CoPR + work visa/permit? Airlines will let me board the flight because I appear to be a worker. At the border, I can show my CoPR letter and prove my PR status. But I am unsure if this is allowed. If not, will I be sent back to the departing country?

If anyone has such experience, it would be much appreciated if you could share the information. Thanks.

 

[limm]

According to this website, boarding a commercial flight is still the main concern for applying PRTD. But airlines will allow me to board with work visa/permit. But, really not sure if it actually works.

 

[armoured]

Most likely your work permit visa has been cancelled as you are a pr. So it's quite possible the airlines would not let you board.

Is there a chance the airline would let you board? Possibly. But also a serious risk you'd only find out at the airport.

A prtd would be certain even if it took longer.

 

[limm]

Most likely your work permit visa has been cancelled as you are a pr. So it's quite possible the airlines would not let you board.

Is there a chance the airline would let you board? Possibly. But also a serious risk you'd only find out at the airport.

A prtd would be certain even if it took longer.

Thanks for your reply. No, I received my CoPR within Canada, no passport request. So my visa and work permit both look good

 

[armoured]

Thanks for your reply. No, I received my CoPR within Canada, no passport request. So my visa and work permit both look good

I repeat: it's highly likely they cancelled your work permit in the system when you became a PR. So it may 'look good' but no longer be valid.

 

[limm]

I repeat: it's highly likely they cancelled your work permit in the system when you became a PR. So it may 'look good' but no longer be valid.

Thanks for the followup. I don't think the airlines have access to any "system".
In a usual case, visa information is not needed when booking a flight. There will be a staff at check-ins, who will check the visa. They only check the paper visa and never access any computer systems (some just check at a kiosk, so you can see what information they're looking for). Once, an airline doubted if my work visa was real (probably because I don't appear to be a worker). They asked for the work permit, and used UV light to detect fluorescence. But they didn't access any "system" either.

You can of course repeat. But I was asking for someone who "has such experience"

 

[armoured]

Thanks for the followup. I don't think the airlines have access to any "system".
...
You can of course repeat. But I was asking for someone who "has such experience"

In some cases the airlines do have access and can contact CBSA to check. Do they do so on a regular basis? Do they always? Can't say.

I believe flight manifests and details are sent to CBSA in advance but do not know for certain. There is also the requirement to use the ArriveCan app in most cases now, esp in covid times.

That said, of course there are gaps.

Feel free to risk it. But an important point is that someone else's "experience", even if relatively recent, may no longer be valid as the systems have been changing. And it may not be relevant or functional if arriving from a different location via a different airline, amongst other factors.

 

[limm]

You're right.

 

[armoured]

You're right.

Note that if you can travel to arrive by land from USA, eg fly back to a border airport, the copr will he enough.

But need access to USA.

 

[limm]

Note that if you can travel to arrive by land from USA, eg fly back to a border airport, the copr will he enough.

But need access to USA.

Thanks. I know it, but I cannot enter US at this moment. I need to apply for a US visa. That's also why I believe CBSA don't mind admitting CoPR holders. Only commercial airlines bother.

There's many hidden knowledge in immigration (or generally, government) affairs. I once successfully defended the US I-94 fee. US border officer asked me to pay, but I said according to XXX, my previous I-94 was still valid. They then didn't insist paying I-94. I also applied for full tax return during my first job in Canada due to a tax treaty, known by no tax accountants I have asked.

 

[armoured]

Thanks. I know it, but I cannot enter US at this moment. I need to apply for a US visa. That's also why I believe CBSA don't mind admitting CoPR holders. Only commercial airlines bother.

Technically at any port of entry (including airports) the CBSA can (I believe the law says 'shall') admit any PR who has satisfied the CBSA officer that they are a PR* - any documentation that allows them to identify the person as a PR using their databases can/should be enough (even, for example, their foreign passport). Of course then you'd be dependent on the databases and unique identification (from name-alikes) but there are PRs who report returning with minimal/no "PR documentation" and being let in at land border.

But the way that in practice it works is airlines are subject to fines if they don't require certain documentation - and effectively that's the way IRCC enforces having current valid documentation (subject to the gaps remaining - but those have been considerably limited or shut). And the additional covid requirements tighten the requirements further (sort of a side-effect). Obviously doesn't make much difference if you could be admitted at the port of entry if you can't physically get to the port of entry i.e. board a plane.

*Caveat about being physically admitted doesn't mean they can't be reported for non-compliance with RO, but not relevant in your case.

 

[foodie69]

You can of course repeat. But I was asking for someone who "has such experience"

For a newbie you are quite sure of yourself. No one can tell you what is going to happen. There is only one way to find out..go on your flight and come back. Then you will be the person that "has such experience".

 

[Copingwithlife]

Thanks for the followup. I don't think the airlines have access to any "system".
In a usual case, visa information is not needed when booking a flight. There will be a staff at check-ins, who will check the visa. They only check the paper visa and never access any computer systems (some just check at a kiosk, so you can see what information they're looking for). Once, an airline doubted if my work visa was real (probably because I don't appear to be a worker). They asked for the work permit, and used UV light to detect fluorescence. But they didn't access any "system" either.

You can of course repeat. But I was asking for someone who "has such experience"

Hate to burst your knowledge bubble, but yes airlines have access to immigration data . They can swipe the document, input the numbers and the system will validate it .
That agent behind the counter has access to far more information then you think .
The system is constantly mining data . Birth dates , passports, names and it’s being sent to immigration.
If there a issue the system will either prompt the agent to call Canada immigration directly , prompt a invalid document, or deny boarding .
Come on, it’s 2021. With so many people trying to immigrate, manipulate the rules ,you don’t think the system has evolved with the times ?
One would have to be naive to think differently.
Btw, I did close to 30 years in the can, aka Toronto airport, as a airline agent
,so suffice to say I think that counts as “ experience.”
Once in awhile I’d hear how passengers were going to stay in another country illegally. I’d sent that information to a airline department, for US Immigration, I’d just walk to US immigration and talk to the port director .

 

[limm]

But the way that in practice it works is airlines are subject to fines if they don't require certain documentation

For a newbie you are quite sure of yourself. No one can tell you what is going to happen. There is only one way to find out..go on your flight and come back. Then you will be the person that "has such experience".

How do you know no one can tell what's going to happen?
As a "Champion Member" have you provided any useful information?

 

[limm]

Hate to burst your knowledge bubble, but yes airlines have access to immigration data . They can swipe the document, input the numbers and the system will validate it .
That agent behind the counter has access to far more information then you think .
The system is constantly mining data . Birth dates , passports, names and it’s being sent to immigration.
If there a issue the system will either prompt the agent to call Canada immigration directly , prompt a invalid document, or deny boarding .
Come on, it’s 2021. With so many people trying to immigrate, manipulate the rules ,you don’t think the system has evolved with the times ?
One would have to be naive to think differently.
Btw, I did close to 30 years in the can, aka Toronto airport, as a airline agent
,so suffice to say I think that counts as “ experience.”
Once in awhile I’d hear how passengers were going to stay in another country illegally. I’d sent that information to a airline department, for US Immigration, I’d just walk to US immigration and talk to the port director .

Hate to burst your knowledge bubble too. Canada only tracks exits only very recently. So the "system" you alleged may not exist. That's why I was asking someone who actually knows (if nobody knows, fine), not some unfriendly "Champion Member" who answers questions by imagination but actually knows not more than me.