PR card expired - going on holiday next week - ETA not approved

[lauramcb123]

hi everyone, looking for some advice as we have been a bit naive with PR conditions.
Gained PR status 7 years ago but our move didnt work out so have been in the UK since with occasional holidays to Canada to see family.
PR cards expired Oct 2014.
we are due to fly out next Thursday and applied for ETAs last week, thinking as our PR card expired 2 years ago that was the end of the game as far as PR status was concerned. ETAs still not authorised and after a bit of research im putting this down to us still have PR status and PR's dont need ETAs..
So, in the time scales - 9 days till we fly - what are our options?
im assuming we will be allowed in but mayne with a bit of grief at immigration?
Any advice, information of previous experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[Rob_TO]

So, in the time scales - 9 days till we fly - what are our options?
im assuming we will be allowed in but mayne with a bit of grief at immigration?
Any advice, information of previous experiences would be much appreciated.

You can fly without the eTA during leniency period until Sept 29. Just your visa-exempt passport and with a round trip ticket, you should be ok to gain boarding with the airline. Just don't mention your PR status to them.

At airport in Canada, CBSA may or may not report you for not meeting RO. If you're reported it will begin process to revoke your PR status but you will still be allowed to enter. Assuming you don't want to appeal, your PR status would eventually be revoked.

Or you can decide to just renounce your PR status at the airport and enter as a visitor, and next time you want to come to Canada you can go through usual eTA process as a visitor since your PR status would be gone.

 

[johnnysinn]

Hi Rob,

What does RO stand for? Could they really report you to revoke your PR status even if you have your CoPR and other proof of permanent residency with you?

Thanks.

 

[zardoz]

Hi Rob,

What does RO stand for? Could they really report you to revoke your PR status even if you have your CoPR and other proof of permanent residency with you?

Thanks.

Residency Obligation. Yes, they most certainly can, and quite probably will.

 

[johnnysinn]

What basis would they have to revoke my PR status for not travelling with my PR card though?
I'm only going to be in the U.S. for 9 days and so I can't apply for a PRTD, and there's no way I'm getting my PR card in 1 week before I fly. (I lost my card recently).

How else can you prepare to fly and return? I booked my tickets before I lost my card.

What would happen if someone lost their PR card the day before returning to Canada on vacation let's say. Is there no flexibility at all?

 

[Rob_TO]

What basis would they have to revoke my PR status for not travelling with my PR card though?
I'm only going to be in the U.S. for 9 days and so I can't apply for a PRTD, and there's no way I'm getting my PR card in 1 week before I fly. (I lost my card recently).

How else can you prepare to fly and return? I booked my tickets before I lost my card.

What would happen if someone lost their PR card the day before returning to Canada on vacation let's say. Is there no flexibility at all?

The residency obligation (RO) requires you to spend 2 of every 5 years in Canada. If you have not met this requirement, your PR status will most likely be revoked.

It has nothing to do with having your PR card or not, its only to do with physical time you've actually lived in Canada.

 

[johnnysinn]

Sorry I might not have made this clear before, but I've been living in and currently AM in Canada for the past 3 years.

I apologize if I sort of hijacked Laura's post, I just saw some similarity here and didn't receive responses recently to my post.

 

[Rob_TO]

Sorry I might not have made this clear before, but I've been living in and currently AM in Canada for the past 3 years.

I apologize if I sort of hijacked Laura's post, I just saw some similarity here and didn't receive responses recently to my post.

In that case as long as you can get back to a Canada land border or flying on a visa-exempt passport before Sept 29, you will be fine with CBSA using only your passport and COPR.

 

[zardoz]

Sorry I might not have made this clear before, but I've been living in and currently AM in Canada for the past 3 years.

I apologize if I sort of hijacked Laura's post, I just saw some similarity here and didn't receive responses recently to my post.

It's because your initial comment was not in the first person, hence assuming that it was related to the topic under discussion.

 

[lauramcb123]

thanks Rob!
your answer is the one i was looking for! hopefully it will be plain sailing.

No probs Johnny for hijacking my post - hope you got the answers you needed too!

 

[johnnysinn]

In that case as long as you can get back to a Canada land border or flying on a visa-exempt passport before Sept 29, you will be fine with CBSA using only your passport and COPR.

Great, thanks a bunch!