Can one Travel on COPR outside Canada while waiting for the PR card?

[Radium]

Hi, i know this question may have been asked a thousand times before.
But i still couldn't find anything that explains clearly if a person from a non-visa exempt country could travel abroad (while waiting for the PR card) for vacations where a visa is required to enter the country but if he has Canadian PR then visa is exempted for him however since he doesn't have his PR card yet could he enter on COPR? (say Mexico)
Also, after finishing vacations could he return to Canada on COPR? Or will he 100% needs a Travel document to enter back Canada?
not sure whether COPR would suffice and CBSA would give an entry to Canada? Because a valid Canadian visa (one may have) on passport at the time of becoming PR stands void and PR card as of today will take 78 days to process.
Any input whether personal experience or otherwise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Rob_TO]

Sure CBSA will allow you entry with your COPR if you don't have the card yet.

However there is zero chance the airline will allow you to board. So with a COPR only you must enter Canada by land in a private car. If coming by plane, the airline will demand to see either a valid PR card OR a PR travel document. They will not accept your COPR as proof of PR status.

 

[scylla]

What Rob_TO said. 100% he needs a travel document. They won't let him on the airplane without one.

 

[Radium]

Thanks a lot for the info.
Just a follow up question can Travel document be obtained in Canada before leaving the country?

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks a lot for the info.
Just a follow up question can Travel document be obtained in Canada before leaving the country?

No. It must be obtained from a visa office in the country you're visiting.

 

[shesosilly]

Hi, @Rob_TO and @scylla. I dug up this thread and would like to ask your opinion. I am in the same position, I only have a COPR and waiting for the PR card. I wouldn't be boarding a plane and would only drive to states for the weekend. What do you guys think?

 

[dongrongwen]

Hi !
I m from a via exempt country (France), waiting for my PR card.
I have to go to France for funeral...

Will I be able to go in Canada when I come back ?

Thank you,

Dong

 

[Sunset0505]

Hi, @Rob_TO and @scylla. I dug up this thread and would like to ask your opinion. I am in the same position, I only have a COPR and waiting for the PR card. I wouldn't be boarding a plane and would only drive to states for the weekend. What do you guys think?

My husband does not have his PR card in hand yet...CBSA has advised him that he will be turned away at the border if he tries to come into Canada flying,busing,or Marine with out the card...and so far even time we have tired to come back into Canada driving he has had to go to 2ndry screening...which is fine its just takes a little longer...

 

[Sunset0505]

Hi !
I m from a via exempt country (France), waiting for my PR card.
I have to go to France for funeral...

Will I be able to go in Canada when I come back ?

Thank you,

Dong

You situation is different...I would contact CBSA and the Airline to are planing to fly home with and explain your situation..remember CBSA will have the final say

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi, @Rob_TO and @scylla. I dug up this thread and would like to ask your opinion. I am in the same position, I only have a COPR and waiting for the PR card. I wouldn't be boarding a plane and would only drive to states for the weekend. What do you guys think?

You will be fine with just the COPR.

I m from a via exempt country (France), waiting for my PR card.
I have to go to France for funeral...

Will I be able to go in Canada when I come back ?

Provided you return before Sept 29th, you will be able to board the plane on the strength of your passport.

My husband does not have his PR card in hand yet...CBSA has advised him that he will be turned away at the border if he tries to come into Canada flying,busing,or Marine with out the card

CBSA wouldn't have advised that at all because they legally cannot refuse entry to a PR.

 

[Rob_TO]

You situation is different...I would contact CBSA and the Airline to are planing to fly home with and explain your situation..remember CBSA will have the final say

There is really no point to contact either.

If flying there are only 2 options - 1. Get a PR Travel Document, or 2. Try to board with just visa-exempt passport by posing as a foreign national and NOT a PR to the airline.

Back in Canada, all CBSA needs to confirm PR status is passport and COPR. PR card is not necessary with CBSA. No PR will be turned away at the border for not having a PR card.

 

[Sunset0505]

You will be fine with just the COPR.


Provided you return before Sept 29th, you will be able to board the plane on the strength of your passport.


CBSA wouldn't have advised that at all because they legally cannot refuse entry to a PR.

Sorry but they have.......on 29th April and again on 4th of June...they have indicated that driving is fine but any other form of travel he will be refused unless he has card in hand.

 

[Rob_TO]

Sorry but they have.......on 29th April and again on 4th of June...they have indicated that driving is fine but any other form of travel he will be refused unless he has card in hand.

That is for the airline ONLY, when boarding a plane to Canada. If you tell an airline you're a PR but don't have PR card or PR Travel Document, they can deny you boarding.

But once in Canada, CBSA will never deny entry as a PR card is not a requirement for CBSA. All they really need is a passport to determine your PR status.

 

[Sunset0505]

That is for the airline ONLY, when boarding a plane to Canada. If you tell an airline you're a PR but don't have PR card or PR Travel Document, they can deny you boarding.

But once in Canada, CBSA will never deny entry as a PR card is not a requirement for CBSA. All they really need is a passport to determine your PR status.

Ok...thats what you have read been advised etc...I know what they told us twice now....I also know that my hubby is working legally in Canada and there is a red flag on his file and will be there for the next 8 to 10 years for a work permit that was denied in 2014...

 

[sawadee-eh]

Sorry but they have.......on 29th April and again on 4th of June...they have indicated that driving is fine but any other form of travel he will be refused unless he has card in hand.

That is partially incorrect.

Canuck in Uk is correct.

As long as you arrive at a border, CBSA MUST let a PR into Canada (after screening). Even if they don't have their PR card, CBSA can determine a PR by using their passport and CoPR.

The issue is this....a plane, bus or boat/cruise ship operator etc...will NOT accept the CoPR as proof of PR and they have no means of confirming that you are a PR. Therefore, the operators of those transportation modes won't let you board without a travel document that they can confirm allows you entry into Canada. That would be a just a passport (from a visa-exempt country, before ETA kicks in) or a PRTD (PR travel document given to you from a Canadian Emb/Consul in the foreign country).

Conclusion is that CBSA won't turn you away when travelling via those methods, BUT the operator of those methods won't allow you to board to begin with. Whatever you've been told was them just trying to simplify the details for you maybe.

Hope that helps.