IndianBos said:
Wow, thank you. This is a lot of useful information. Is there a similar post for landing through a road border post? I am specially concerned about not being issued a PR card because my stay will be very short. Are there any do/don't there?
There might be one specific to land crossing, but I'm not aware of it. I don't think it would be all that different, really. If you are going to cross from the US to Canada by road and not stay that long, I assume you are planning to return to the US for a time. It does take time for you to receive the PR card and it is needed if you plan to return to Canada by air, train, or other commercial travel (bus, etc.). However, if you are traveling in a personal conveyance (your own car) then you don't have to have the PR card to return. You could re-enter Canada with your COPR document. If you are going elsewhere and you need to return by commercial conveyance (air, train, bus, etc.) and you hadn't yet received your PR card you will have to apply for a travel document in order to be able to re-enter. It is a one-time use document and then you will need to wait to get your PR card before you leave again or you will be in the same boat...need a travel document to return again.
PR Card Processing times:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-card.asp
Travel Document info:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/travel.asp