Can you leave after you "Land"?

[bethanycupcakes]

I was under the impression you have to stay in the country till you receive your PR card, other wise you may not be allowed back into Canada. Is this true?

 

[maartenvg]

You can leave, but you might run into problems returning. That depends on many factors, e.g. if your country of origin is visa exempt or not. You can ask for a PR travel document, but not sure how long the processing time is, and whether it is longer than the PR card processing time.

You can have the PR card be sent to any address in Canada, so you could have somebody receive it and send it to you abroad. That might be risky though, as it can get lost in the mail, and there's also the risk that they sometimes need you to come in person to redo the photos for the PR card.

 

[bethanycupcakes]

I am and American citizen moving to BC. I believe I am in a visa exempt country.

 

[keesio]

I am and American citizen moving to BC. I believe I am in a visa exempt country.

No problem leaving. You can return using your US passport and telling CBSA at the border that you are a new PR who doesn't have her card yet. They can then look you up in the system and you'll be good. Some people say to carry your copy of COPR with you as backup but I don't think you need it.

 

[bethanycupcakes]

Awesome! I like to be over prepared, just in case.

Thank you for your help!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Some people say to carry your copy of COPR with you as backup but I don't think you need it.

No need for the COPR, as I was directly told by a CBSA officer at my partner's landing.

 

[SassyBee23]

I landed July 1, 2011 and had to leave to return to school a week later and I did not have my PR card at the time. The PR card was mailed to my parents' residence in Canada and then they mailed it to me in the US, so I had no problem coming back in. That is something you can do if you have an address and trusted relative/friend in Canada.