Blahblahblah said:
Hey guys,
I am really stressing out here and I am sure one of you people would be able to provide some insight. My wife got her passport back with the visa last week and I booked a flight for her right away. Anyway, she cleared customs in Pakistan an hour ago and was informed that she may not be able to cross customs in Canada because she doesn't have landing papers.
She just received her passport back with the visa stamped and never got any landing papers(and as far as I know you get your PR after you are in Canada and no landing papers) For people on here who flew to Canada recently (within the last few months) were you or your spouse able to by pass customs with just the visa or did you need landing papers or other information. I realize I can't really do anything now but wait until she lands in Calgary and hopefully the customs officer in Pakistan was misinformed but any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
For people curious about my time line.
Applied (August 2013)
Remed (Nov 2014)
PPR2 (2 Dec 2014)
Passport with Visa ( 29 Jan 2015)
Did she receive the COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) papers alongwith the passport back when she received the package?
Note that the COPR these days is just plain legal-sized paper, one has photograph and the other is without photo. It's no longer a special-colored paper, just ordinary paper nowadays. (known as IMM 5688).
Since she is at the airport, they may try to ask her for the COPR. Depending on the person and airline, if she can make it to the Canadian POE, she can try and see if CBSA can grant her entry (not sure about how they will proceed), (maybe they can print it off for her ?)
You should've been more proactive and should have verified things before she left for the journey. As a Canadian sponsor it's also your responsibility to ensure your spouse carries whatever is necessary to meet travel guidelines.
While I think that the Visa is what enables the traveler to travel, but the category also requires that the person be in possession of the COPR.
Many places do not check for COPR since they check the passport+visa in it.
Let us know the outcome.