Is it 100% safe to pass border with just passport and CoPR?!

[SamHom]

I got my CoPR. May be going to America soon. I will not get the PR card in time. Is it completely safe for me to go to USA and back with just passport (visa exempt) and CoPR? I will be driving either our own car or rental. I won't have to worry about having issues at the border and CBSA not letting me in or anything because I lack the actual card?

Oh I was out of status for quite some time before becoming a PR recently btw but I doubt that should matter. I over stayed as tourist.

 

[rs33]

That's what I did... I landed about a week before a trip to the US. So after the trip, I came back to Canada with only my passport and CoPR and everything was fine. The border agent stamped my passport and wrote "PR" on the line (instead of a date if you come as a visitor).

 

[Ponga]

http://canadianimmigrant.ca/settling-in-canada/pr-card-myths-2

Second falsehood
The second myth that I would like to correct is the notion that every permanent resident of Canada must always present a PR card to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers upon entry into Canada. Again, this is simply not the case. The PR card is only required when using a commercial carrier to travel to Canada, for example, airlines and buses. If, for example, a permanent resident travels to Canada by private car, there is no obligation whatsoever on the permanent resident to have a valid PR card.




Mr. Rosenberg is a very experienced immigration lawyer, so perhaps that will be `close' to the 100% guarantee that you're asking for.

 

[draxz1289]

canadianimmigrant.ca/settling-in-canada/pr-card-myths-2

Second falsehood
The second myth that I would like to correct is the notion that every permanent resident of Canada must always present a PR card to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers upon entry into Canada. Again, this is simply not the case. The PR card is only required when using a commercial carrier to travel to Canada, for example, airlines and buses. If, for example, a permanent resident travels to Canada by private car, there is no obligation whatsoever on the permanent resident to have a valid PR card.




Mr. Rosenberg is a very experienced immigration lawyer, so perhaps that will be `close' to the 100% guarantee that you're asking for.

Thanks Ponga for this. I am just curious then what would the PR show as a proof their foreign passport?

 

[sashali78]

Thanks Ponga for this. I am just curious then what would the PR show as a proof their foreign passport?

Foreign passport, Canadian driving license

 

[SamHom]

canadianimmigrant.ca/settling-in-canada/pr-card-myths-2

Second falsehood
The second myth that I would like to correct is the notion that every permanent resident of Canada must always present a PR card to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers upon entry into Canada. Again, this is simply not the case. The PR card is only required when using a commercial carrier to travel to Canada, for example, airlines and buses. If, for example, a permanent resident travels to Canada by private car, there is no obligation whatsoever on the permanent resident to have a valid PR card.




Mr. Rosenberg is a very experienced immigration lawyer, so perhaps that will be `close' to the 100% guarantee that you're asking for.

Everywhere I look it does appear to be no issue.

Even if they denied someone to enter, their PR wouldn't be a jeopardy right? Could just hang out in the states for a few weeks longer haha.

 

[draxz1289]

Foreign passport, Canadian driving license

Thanks interesting I didnt know that thanks +1

 

[Ponga]

Foreign passport, Canadian driving license

How would either of those prove PR status?

The foreign passport would be needed to enter Canada, but not the Canadian DL.

 

[Rob_TO]

Foreign passport, Canadian driving license

No, you do not need a Canadian drivers license, or any ID from Canada. Really all you need is your passport.

Having the COPR + passport makes it much easier/quicker for CBSA to determine your PR status.

However even if all you have is your passport, CBSA can still determine your PR status. In this case though they may need to look into it a bit more on their system so you may have to go to secondary inspection. But in the end they should still allow you to enter as a PR.

 

[SamHom]

No, you do not need a Canadian drivers license, or any ID from Canada. Really all you need is your passport.

Having the COPR + passport makes it much easier/quicker for CBSA to determine your PR status.

However even if all you have is your passport, CBSA can still determine your PR status. In this case though they may need to look into it a bit more on their system so you may have to go to secondary inspection. But in the end they should still allow you to enter as a PR.

What about if one only brings a copy of the copr or even just a picture of it on the phone? Ponga told me this would be fine.

 

[Ponga]

What about if one only brings a copy of the copr or even just a picture of it on the phone? Ponga told me this would be fine.

Ehem...I don't recall telling you that this would be fine. I believe I suggested that you make a copy, or take a photo with your phone, but also said that even that is not really needed.

Look, CBSA will be well aware that you are a new PR and if you're traveling across a land border in a private vehicle, you don't need anything, other than a valid passport. It is possible that you will have to go inside (Secondary Inspection) for them to confirm your status.

 

[SamHom]

Ehem...I don't recall telling you that this would be fine. I believe I suggested that you make a copy, or take a photo with your phone, but also said that even that is not really needed.

Look, CBSA will be well aware that you are a new PR and if you're traveling across a land border in a private vehicle, you don't need anything, other than a valid passport. It is possible that you will have to go inside (Secondary Inspection) for them to confirm your status.

Um yeah. That's what you said. It's fine/not needed. It wasn't an exact quote.

So you think that they will update fast and know it even if I got it just few days ago? Considering how slow Ecas is, maybe all their technology is dated 2002.