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Had to voluntarily give up PR

zeeshan35

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Nov 3, 2010
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A friend of mine had to voluntarily give up his PR card. The reason was he was US and canadian PR at the same time. He used to live and work in US and used to drive over to canada. One of these times while he was driving into Canada, CBSA questioned him and gave him two options, either they seize his PR card or he gives it up himself. He chose to give it up.

I am in a similar situation with my PR status. I received my US green card in 2011 and I received my canadian PR in 2014 even though I applied for it in 2010. I completed my landing in Canada last year and came back to US.
I wish to travel again in June/July for visit but am skeptical about crossing Canadian border.
Can people share their stories crossing border into canada either via car or airplane who are in similar situation?
 

mono_co

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Nov 3, 2014
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As far as I understand, Canadian customs cannot enforce intention to stay in Canada permanently where US customs can enforce it even if you stay out of US 1 day and have no intention to stay in the US permanently. CBS can enforce however to proof you had enough residency days in Canada. If you meet the residency requirements or you still have enough days to complete in your first 5 years; having US green card isn't a reason to push you to give up Canadian PR. Remember, Canadian PR has rights, US GCard is a privilege. US customs can claim since you take Canadian PR after getting green card, and you landed in Canada; you have no intention to make US your permanent residency. Get your US citizenship ASAP( a year left looks like), then decide what to do with Canadian PR. So travelling to Canada this year would be no issue, just don't drive your US car even though they should be ok for a temp visit.
 

CanV

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Apr 30, 2012
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zeeshan35 said:
A friend of mine had to voluntarily give up his PR card. The reason was he was US and canadian PR at the same time. He used to live and work in US and used to drive over to canada. One of these times while he was driving into Canada, CBSA questioned him and gave him two options, either they seize his PR card or he gives it up himself. He chose to give it up.

I am in a similar situation with my PR status. I received my US green card in 2011 and I received my canadian PR in 2014 even though I applied for it in 2010. I completed my landing in Canada last year and came back to US.
I wish to travel again in June/July for visit but am skeptical about crossing Canadian border.
Can people share their stories crossing border into canada either via car or airplane who are in similar situation?
They actually could not have seized it, there isn't even a report for the officer to file for this.

You could lose your US green card for having a permanent residency status in another country but such cases are very rare and mostly happen when entering the US from Canada, that's the only time CBP would ask what your status is in Canada.
 

zeeshan35

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Nov 3, 2010
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Thanks I have pushed the travel date to July or September for now. I feel a little better after the responses. I still have 4 years on my canadian PR so it should be ok when I travel there this year.
I will update this thread with my travel experience.
 

Lammawitch

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Dec 21, 2014
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Pedants' note: please try not to confuse immigration authorities & customs.
 

zeeshan35

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Nov 3, 2010
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Lammawitch-
I dont plan on confusing them. If CBSA asks me how long I am there, I will let them know only for a few days. Plus I wont be driving my car either.