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crossing land border

martini

Member
Apr 27, 2020
12
0
I've see many posts from the Express Entry section that crossing the land border from US to Canada is risky as a COPR holder as they may turn the holder away. The main reason that the CBSA agents cite is that activating COPR is not considered essential travel. Hence, users in the Express Entry section recommend air travel. However, for us (COPR holders) in the Family Class Sponsorship section, would it be safe to say that crossing the land border is perfectly fine as long as we have a Canadian citizen and family member with us? This is because I heard that family members of Canadian citizens (and PRs) will be allowed into Canada (see below).

Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
A foreign national who is an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is exempt from the travel restrictions and permitted to travel to Canada if they have the required travel documents.

The immediate family members must show that they’re coming to Canada for non-discretionary reasons and not for reasons that are optional or discretionary, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.

Where the foreign national is a child, age and dependency is a factor. However, note that a foreign national who is an adult child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Canada may be exempt under the family reunification exemption.

Where the foreign national is a parent, the Canadian citizen’s or permanent resident’s age is not a factor, and there is no requirement to establish dependency.

The immediate family member’s physical location is not a factor. They may be in Canada, in a third country, or accompanying the foreign national.

Travellers are expected to self-identify to airlines at the point of boarding that they are exempt under this provision by presenting documentation to establish their family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and their relationship to that family member.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

Buletruck

VIP Member
May 18, 2015
6,874
2,705
Pay attention to the discretionary/non discretionary travel. CBSA can still refuse entry if they feel the travel is discretionary.
 

Raymala

Newbie
Sep 9, 2013
5
0
Hello
My daughter’s and my PR card has expired, got refused PRTD, filed appeal on 1 Nov, 2022.
Can we still cross land border?
I have another older daughter who is Canadian Citizen and youngest daughter who was born outside of Canada.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,472
13,472
Hello
My daughter’s and my PR card has expired, got refused PRTD, filed appeal on 1 Nov, 2022.
Can we still cross land border?
I have another older daughter who is Canadian Citizen and youngest daughter who was born outside of Canada.
Yes but your statuses in Canada is still at risk and you will need to go through an appeal. Without a valid PR card you may run into problems for example getting a health card. The bigger issue is your youngest daughter. Is she visa exempt?
Does she have a TRV? Even with either of these her entry is not guaranteed. Unless her father is a Canadian citizen or a PR living in Canada who has met their RO she will not be able to get sponsored for a very long time and if you are able to keep your PR status.
 

Raymala

Newbie
Sep 9, 2013
5
0
Yes but your statuses in Canada is still at risk and you will need to go through an appeal. Without a valid PR card you may run into problems for example getting a health card. The bigger issue is your youngest daughter. Is she visa exempt?
Does she have a TRV? Even with either of these her entry is not guaranteed. Unless her father is a Canadian citizen or a PR living in Canada who has met their RO she will not be able to get sponsored for a very long time and if you are able to keep your PR status.
thank you for your response.
I would like to apply for a TRV for my youngest daughter but as you rightly stated I am not sure if she will be granted one and secondly if she would be allowed entry.
I am divorced and have a court order giving me sole custody.
Her father is a Canadian Citizen but his cooperation is not guaranteed.