Going to US without a PR card - sent in urgent

[fiyfli]

Hello all,

I want to go the US at the end of April but I just sent in my PR card application today. I've been living in Canada since 2000 as a permanent residence. This will be my first PR card. I am a citizen of a visa-exempt country (Taiwan) and have a valid passport from them. I am taking the Greyhound bus. I have not left Canada for more than a week for at least the past 10+ years.

I'm very worried I will not get my PR card in time as I have only less than 5 weeks for them to process my application.

From what I can read through this forum and other places, it should be fine as long as I have some proof that I am a permanent resident.

I am planning to bring my record of landing, my passport (Taiwan), and anything I can get to prove that my application is underway (I'm not sure if this is available).

I have read that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) says I can return to Canada no matter what if I am a permanent resident.


1. Does anyone know if Greyhound will refuse to carry me if I don't have my PR card?

2. If someone denies me from going back to Canada, what should I do/say?

3. Should I bring my high school transcripts for the years before 2014? What else can I bring? (I will be a 19 year old student residing with parents, so maybe I should bring a copy of my father's citizenship certificate or some proof of residency? What about bank statements?)

4. Where does it say in the IRPA that I can return to Canada no matter what if I am a PR? I want to print it out in case I am told otherwise.

5. Should I be worried about not being able to return??


Thank you!!

 

[Ponga]

Hello all,

I want to go the US at the end of April but I just sent in my PR card application today. I've been living in Canada since 2000 as a permanent residence. This will be my first PR card. I am a citizen of a visa-exempt country (Taiwan) and have a valid passport from them. I am taking the Greyhound bus. I have not left Canada for more than a week for at least the past 10+ years.

I'm very worried I will not get my PR card in time as I have only less than 5 weeks for them to process my application.

From what I can read through this forum and other places, it should be fine as long as I have some proof that I am a permanent resident.

I am planning to bring my record of landing, my passport (Taiwan), and anything I can get to prove that my application is underway (I'm not sure if this is available).

I have read that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) says I can return to Canada no matter what if I am a permanent resident.


1. Does anyone know if Greyhound will refuse to carry me if I don't have my PR card?

2. If someone denies me from going back to Canada, what should I do/say?

3. Should I bring my high school transcripts for the years before 2014? What else can I bring? (I will be a 19 year old student residing with parents, so maybe I should bring a copy of my father's citizenship certificate or some proof of residency? What about bank statements?)

4. Where does it say in the IRPA that I can return to Canada no matter what if I am a PR? I want to print it out in case I am told otherwise.

5. Should I be worried about not being able to return??


Thank you!!

Your proof of your PR would be your CoPR document that you received when you became a permanent resident of Canada (or similar document that was issued in 2000).

Since you hold a visa-exempt passport, you should travel as if you are a visitor (regarding Greyhound), otherwise they could deny you boarding without a PR card.

When you return to the border, just show the CBSA officer your PR document and you should be fine.

 

[fiyfli]

Your proof of your PR would be your CoPR document that you received when you became a permanent resident of Canada (or similar document that was issued in 2000).

Since you hold a visa-exempt passport, you should travel as if you are a visitor (regarding Greyhound), otherwise they could deny you boarding without a PR card.

When you return to the border, just show the CBSA officer your PR document and you should be fine.

Okay, that's very reassuring. How would I travel as if I am a visitor? Just tell them? Or is it something I should have done as I bought the ticket?

I don't travel at all so this entire process is very confusing for me! :-[

 

[fiyfli]

Bump!

 

[realtexdex]

Greyhound might be an issue. Anyway you could drive a one way rental? You could also attempt to walk across the bridge at the Niagara.

 

[fiyfli]

I already bought a ticket. Why would Greyhound be an issue?