Entering Canada with PR Card after acquiring new nationality

[zupp8]

Hello everybody,
I am a Pakistani living in Germany for some years now. I applied and got Canadian PR for professional and skilled workers in 2015 and visited Canada in the same year to complete the landing requirements etc. I then went back to Germany and got German nationality offer in 2017. In order to avail this offer, I had to give up my Pakistani nationality. This process is now through and I no longer have my Pakistani Passport. Now, once I get German Passport, I plan on moving to Canada permanently and the potential problem I would be facing is that on my Canadian PR Card, my nationality is stated as Pakistani whereas as stated above, I have given up my Pakistani nationality and no longer have Pakistani Passport. Therefore, I would like someone to clarify if after change of nationality, my PR status is valid or not and if its still valid, can I travel with German Passport and PR Card which has my nationality as Pakistani on it. I have already inquired with cia.ga and they replied with a standard answer that I can enter Canada with my PR Card without specifically answering my inquiry. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this problem for me. Due to the nationality difference on Passport and PR Card, should I apply for a PR Travel Document?. Lastly, I retained a notarized copy of my Pakistani Passport before handing it over and there is corresponding receipt from Pakistani Embassy in Germany.

 

[steaky]

Hello everybody,
I am a Pakistani living in Germany for some years now. I applied and got Canadian PR for professional and skilled workers in 2015 and visited Canada in the same year to complete the landing requirements etc. I then went back to Germany and got German nationality offer in 2017. In order to avail this offer, I had to give up my Pakistani nationality. This process is now through and I no longer have my Pakistani Passport. Now, once I get German Passport, I plan on moving to Canada permanently and the potential problem I would be facing is that on my Canadian PR Card, my nationality is stated as Pakistani whereas as stated above, I have given up my Pakistani nationality and no longer have Pakistani Passport. Therefore, I would like someone to clarify if after change of nationality, my PR status is valid or not and if its still valid, can I travel with German Passport and PR Card which has my nationality as Pakistani on it. I have already inquired with cia.ga and they replied with a standard answer that I can enter Canada with my PR Card without specifically answering my inquiry. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this problem for me. Due to the nationality difference on Passport and PR Card, should I apply for a PR Travel Document?. Lastly, I retained a notarized copy of my Pakistani Passport before handing it over and there is corresponding receipt from Pakistani Embassy in Germany.

I think the better option is fly to the US and then walk or drive to the land border to enter Canada. At the border, you can sort your issue with the CBSA. Or if you prefer, you can also email them.

 

[mpsqra]

Hello everybody,
I am a Pakistani living in Germany for some years now. I applied and got Canadian PR for professional and skilled workers in 2015 and visited Canada in the same year to complete the landing requirements etc. I then went back to Germany and got German nationality offer in 2017. In order to avail this offer, I had to give up my Pakistani nationality. This process is now through and I no longer have my Pakistani Passport. Now, once I get German Passport, I plan on moving to Canada permanently and the potential problem I would be facing is that on my Canadian PR Card, my nationality is stated as Pakistani whereas as stated above, I have given up my Pakistani nationality and no longer have Pakistani Passport. Therefore, I would like someone to clarify if after change of nationality, my PR status is valid or not and if its still valid, can I travel with German Passport and PR Card which has my nationality as Pakistani on it. I have already inquired with cia.ga and they replied with a standard answer that I can enter Canada with my PR Card without specifically answering my inquiry. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this problem for me. Due to the nationality difference on Passport and PR Card, should I apply for a PR Travel Document?. Lastly, I retained a notarized copy of my Pakistani Passport before handing it over and there is corresponding receipt from Pakistani Embassy in Germany.

you need a passport to enter
you should enter by land as @steaky suggested
the main issue is Residency Obligation
bonne chance

 

[zupp8]

you need a passport to enter
you should enter by land as @steaky suggested
the main issue is Residency Obligation
bonne chance

I would be traveling on my German Passport and the problem as I have mentioned above is different nationality on Passport and PR Card. Should I contact Candian Embassy in Germany and apply for a PR Travel Document?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello everybody,
I am a Pakistani living in Germany for some years now. I applied and got Canadian PR for professional and skilled workers in 2015 and visited Canada in the same year to complete the landing requirements etc. I then went back to Germany and got German nationality offer in 2017. In order to avail this offer, I had to give up my Pakistani nationality. This process is now through and I no longer have my Pakistani Passport. Now, once I get German Passport, I plan on moving to Canada permanently and the potential problem I would be facing is that on my Canadian PR Card, my nationality is stated as Pakistani whereas as stated above, I have given up my Pakistani nationality and no longer have Pakistani Passport. Therefore, I would like someone to clarify if after change of nationality, my PR status is valid or not and if its still valid, can I travel with German Passport and PR Card which has my nationality as Pakistani on it. I have already inquired with cia.ga and they replied with a standard answer that I can enter Canada with my PR Card without specifically answering my inquiry. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this problem for me. Due to the nationality difference on Passport and PR Card, should I apply for a PR Travel Document?. Lastly, I retained a notarized copy of my Pakistani Passport before handing it over and there is corresponding receipt from Pakistani Embassy in Germany.

Hi

You can travel without issue. Changing nationality does NOT impact your PR status. It doesn't matter to the airline what nationality is stated on your PR card as long as it is valid and the name/DOB/picture match your passport. If CBSA asks when you are entering, you can explain and show your papers. There is absolutely no reason for you to have to fly to the US and enter at a land border.

 

[Cassiano]

I would be traveling on my German Passport and the problem as I have mentioned above is different nationality on Passport and PR Card. Should I contact Candian Embassy in Germany and apply for a PR Travel Document?

it is up to you
the only problem is you have not meet the residency obligations, so any future renewal pr card could be delayed,,,

 

[canuck_in_uk]

it is up to you
the only problem is you have not meet the residency obligations, so any future renewal pr card could be delayed,,,

As OP has not yet been out of Canada for 3 years since landing, they still meet the RO.

 

[Cassiano]

As OP has not yet been out of Canada for 3 years since landing, they still meet the RO.

thanks

 

[zupp8]

Thank you @Cassiano and @canuck_in_uk for your replies. Regarding Residency Obligation, I haven,t been outside of Canada for 3 years and that's why I want to move Canada in the coming months to avoid this problem. And in order to be absolutely on the safe side, I can ask a couple of airlines to clarify the situation for me before I buy a ticket, should work on telephone, if not, then I will have to go to the airport.

 

[zupp8]

I think the better option is fly to the US and then walk or drive to the land border to enter Canada. At the border, you can sort your issue with the CBSA. Or if you prefer, you can also email them.

I dont think going via land crossing would make a difference coz the CBS would be the same if I enter Canada via a land border or an airport

 

[zupp8]

you need a passport to enter
you should enter by land as @steaky suggested
the main issue is Residency Obligation
bonne chance

I still have time to meet the Residency Obligation, problem is how to enter Canada in order full these requirements. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

 

[Cassiano]

I still have time to meet the Residency Obligation, problem is how to enter Canada in order full these requirements. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

great
just go or call to the Canadian consulate closer to you.
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/germany
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/index.aspx?lang=eng

 

[mpsqra]

I still have time to meet the Residency Obligation, problem is how to enter Canada in order full these requirements. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

have a great trip to Canada

 

[zupp8]

Hello everybody,
I am a Pakistani living in Germany for some years now. I applied and got Canadian PR for professional and skilled workers in 2015 and visited Canada in the same year to complete the landing requirements etc. I then went back to Germany and got German nationality offer in 2017. In order to avail this offer, I had to give up my Pakistani nationality. This process is now through and I no longer have my Pakistani Passport. Now, once I get German Passport, I plan on moving to Canada permanently and the potential problem I would be facing is that on my Canadian PR Card, my nationality is stated as Pakistani whereas as stated above, I have given up my Pakistani nationality and no longer have Pakistani Passport. Therefore, I would like someone to clarify if after change of nationality, my PR status is valid or not and if its still valid, can I travel with German Passport and PR Card which has my nationality as Pakistani on it. I have already inquired with cia.ga and they replied with a standard answer that I can enter Canada with my PR Card without specifically answering my inquiry. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this problem for me. Due to the nationality difference on Passport and PR Card, should I apply for a PR Travel Document?. Lastly, I retained a notarized copy of my Pakistani Passport before handing it over and there is corresponding receipt from Pakistani Embassy in Germany.

Hello Everybody,
I am just wanted to post an update regarding my question so that it helps anyone facing the same issue. As I mentioned in my OP, the nationalities on my PR card and Passport are different, but I have been able to enter Canada multiple times now with different airlines without any problem. Once I encountered a problem at check in where the lady read my PR card and Passport electronically and told me that I cannot go because these documents have different nationalities on them. I just told her I have already travelled to Canada with the same set of documents a few months back and encountered no problem and after some arguing, she issued me the boarding card.
One guy has asked me directly about PR card renewal under these circumstances and I am currently unable to answer this question because my card is still valid for 2 years more. But, based on my experience with entering Canada, it should not be a problem provided the requirements for PR card renewal are fulfilled.

Regards,
zupp8

 

[NZ_ozzie]

Hello Everybody,
I am just wanted to post an update regarding my question so that it helps anyone facing the same issue. As I mentioned in my OP, the nationalities on my PR card and Passport are different, but I have been able to enter Canada multiple times now with different airlines without any problem. Once I encountered a problem at check in where the lady read my PR card and Passport electronically and told me that I cannot go because these documents have different nationalities on them. I just told her I have already travelled to Canada with the same set of documents a few months back and encountered no problem and after some arguing, she issued me the boarding card.
One guy has asked me directly about PR card renewal under these circumstances and I am currently unable to answer this question because my card is still valid for 2 years more. But, based on my experience with entering Canada, it should not be a problem provided the requirements for PR card renewal are fulfilled.

Regards,
zupp8

Thanks a lot for updating with your experience...
We are in same boat....
Did you inform CIC of the new passport details at all before travelling?