I have a few questions about what happens after COPR and during landing that I hope someone can answer.
I am currently in Canada as a visitor but plan to leave next week to visit my family in Florida. I initially planned to stay through the holidays and return to Canada to officially land as a permanent resident after Christmas. However, my wife and I have been talking about changing those plans so that I come back to land in middle of October, so after about 2 weeks in FL. I would then go back down for Thanksgiving. My first question is are there any initial restrictions on traveling in and out the country for permanent residents? I know that I have to maintain residency in Canada for 2 years, and my COPR says as a condition of my permanent resident I must cohabitate with my spouse for 2 years- but does this mean I can't leave Canada at all for 2 years? Not even for short visits elsewhere?
My second question is how do I obtain a permanent resident card? Its not super clear from the letter that came with COPR and I thought I had read before on this message board that some people can get the card on the spot at Pearson or another port of entry? Is this true, or do I need to mail off for one? How long does it take usually to receive it? I have read from CIC that as a permanent resident you cannot travel without this card, so it seems like I can't leave again after landing without having the permanent resident card. Is that correct?
As always I so appreciate the responses and advice from this board! CIC doesn't do the worst job with their information but it's not super clear either, in my opinion, and this board has truly been a lifesaver for making sense of this whole process!!
