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Can I travel with expired PR card?

Finley

Star Member
Jun 29, 2015
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App. Filed.......
08-03-2016
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09-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016
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DM 17-05-16, CoPR 20-05-16
I applied for citizenship in March 2021 and I just got invited to take the citizenship test. In the mean time I have let my PR card expire. I am planning on travelling home to Ireland at the end of Dec for 3 weeks. I had read back in march that I could apply for a travel form which would allow me to travel while I await citizenship but now I'm not sure where I read that or if it was accurate.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
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Toronto
Category........
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Buffalo
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Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
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I applied for citizenship in March 2021 and I just got invited to take the citizenship test. In the mean time I have let my PR card expire. I am planning on travelling home to Ireland at the end of Dec for 3 weeks. I had read back in march that I could apply for a travel form which would allow me to travel while I await citizenship but now I'm not sure where I read that or if it was accurate.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
You will need to apply for a PR Travel Document once you are in Ireland in order to be able to return via air to Canada.
 
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Finley

Star Member
Jun 29, 2015
53
1
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-03-2016
Doc's Request.
09-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016
File Transfer...
15-04-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
20-10-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
DM 17-05-16, CoPR 20-05-16
You will need to apply for a PR Travel Document once you are in Ireland in order to be able to return via air to Canada.
Thanks for getting back to me Scylla.
Do you have any idea how long it take to receive the PR Travel Doc once applied for?
Also as an alternative if I didnt have the correct form on time would it be possible to enter Canada as a temporary visitor?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,869
22,121
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Thanks for getting back to me Scylla.
Do you have any idea how long it take to receive the PR Travel Doc once applied for?
Also as an alternative if I didnt have the correct form on time would it be possible to enter Canada as a temporary visitor?
I don't know how long a PRTD is taking from Ireland right now.

No, you can't enter as a temporary visitor. Since you are a PR, you need either a valid PR card or valid PRTD to return to Canada by air.

The only other option is to fly to the US and then re-enter Canada through a land border using a private vehicle.
 
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Finley

Star Member
Jun 29, 2015
53
1
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-03-2016
Doc's Request.
09-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016
File Transfer...
15-04-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
20-10-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
DM 17-05-16, CoPR 20-05-16
Does anyone have any idea how long urgent PR renewal applications take to process. That is of course if I even qualify for urgent.
 

CaBeaver

Champion Member
Dec 15, 2018
2,941
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Does anyone have any idea how long urgent PR renewal applications take to process. That is of course if I even qualify for urgent.
The fastest I saw was a week. If your travel is for the holidays or to visit family with no urgent reason like serious illness, they probably won't consider it as urgent, unfortunately.
 
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Oct 30, 2021
18
10
The only other option is to fly to the US and then re-enter Canada through a land border using a private vehicle.
But still you have to show some Du Canadien legal/gov doc such as a CA passport/PRC/Visa/PRTD at the land border. How else will they record the entry?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,869
22,121
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
But still you have to show some Du Canadien legal/gov doc such as a CA passport/PRC/Visa/PRTD at the land border. How else will they record the entry?
You show your COPR.
 
Oct 30, 2021
18
10
You show your COPR.
I am looking at mine now and written in the background, diagonally across the COPR, it says "Not Valid For Travel".

If showing COPR is really possible at the land border then it opens up a choice for us all because flights to the US and A are generally cheaper than Du Canada.
 
Last edited:

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,869
22,121
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
I am looking at mine now and written in the background, diagonally across the COPR, it says "Not Valid For Travel".

If showing COPR is really possible at the land border then it opens up a choice for us all because flights to the US and A are generally cheaper than Du Canada.
Yes, it's possible. This is a well known fact.

As long as it's easy for you to travel to the US, then this is totally feasible.

Note that it only works at land borders (not flying) and you have to be traveling via a private vehicle (no buses, etc.).
 
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Finley

Star Member
Jun 29, 2015
53
1
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-03-2016
Doc's Request.
09-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016
File Transfer...
15-04-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
20-10-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
DM 17-05-16, CoPR 20-05-16
The fastest I saw was a week. If your travel is for the holidays or to visit family with no urgent reason like serious illness, they probably won't consider it as urgent, unfortunately.
Thanks. Ya I figure they'd have to be pretty generous in my case. Might give it a shot anyways. Just waiting to here back from the Canada VAC in Dublin for my options with them.
 

Finley

Star Member
Jun 29, 2015
53
1
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-03-2016
Doc's Request.
09-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016
File Transfer...
15-04-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
20-10-2015
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
DM 17-05-16, CoPR 20-05-16
Hey guys,
I dont know if anyone will check back in here but the VAC in Ireland got back to me and said it'd take 1 to 2 weeks to process my app for a PRTD.

As past of the application I have to prove that I am still a PR. So my question is, does anyone have a suggestion as to what would be the best documentation to provide for this? Is there something like a stamped letter from RCMP or a form from an immigration office or something a long these lines?
 

abbas.pasha

VIP Member
Sep 17, 2016
3,605
2,023
Hey guys,
I dont know if anyone will check back in here but the VAC in Ireland got back to me and said it'd take 1 to 2 weeks to process my app for a PRTD.

As past of the application I have to prove that I am still a PR. So my question is, does anyone have a suggestion as to what would be the best documentation to provide for this? Is there something like a stamped letter from RCMP or a form from an immigration office or something a long these lines?
There is a difference you are still a PR. the CoPR document that you may have on your side provides the confirmation the date you became a PR
Only your PR card has expired...
Wait for others members to chime in regarding the renewal process which I am not aware of
 

rajkamalmohanram

VIP Member
Apr 29, 2015
15,803
5,787
Hey guys,
I dont know if anyone will check back in here but the VAC in Ireland got back to me and said it'd take 1 to 2 weeks to process my app for a PRTD.

As past of the application I have to prove that I am still a PR. So my question is, does anyone have a suggestion as to what would be the best documentation to provide for this? Is there something like a stamped letter from RCMP or a form from an immigration office or something a long these lines?
An expired PR card doesn't mean your PR status has expired. PR card and PR status are 2 different things.

Having said that, you should take a look at the documents checklist for PRTD. It doesn't ask for your PR card or your COPR. However, you need to prove that you were present in Canada using other documents such as T4 / paystubs, utility bills etc. You can also attach a copy of your PR card and your COPR and submit it along with the application to add more weight.

Good luck.
 

CaBeaver

Champion Member
Dec 15, 2018
2,941
1,369
Hey guys,
I dont know if anyone will check back in here but the VAC in Ireland got back to me and said it'd take 1 to 2 weeks to process my app for a PRTD.

As past of the application I have to prove that I am still a PR. So my question is, does anyone have a suggestion as to what would be the best documentation to provide for this? Is there something like a stamped letter from RCMP or a form from an immigration office or something a long these lines?
I think your expired PR would do to prove that you are a PR, but I know you need to prove that you meet the RO to be issued a PRTD. I am not sure how you can prove that