PR card expired, travel in two days!

[sns204]

Hi there...

My 11 year old son is leaving in two days to spend three weeks with his mom over Christmas. We booked his flight leaving Buffalo as it was cheaper than leaving Toronto. He is set to return directly into Toronto via Air Canada. He is travelling on a valid US passport. In gathering our passports and PR cards last night, I was thrown into a panic upon realizing that they had expired (his in Nov 2012, mine in Oct 2012).

As the plan was for me to drive him to Buffalo, my questions are:

1) Will I be allowed back in across the Buffalo border in my own vehicle even though my PR card is expired?

2) Will my son be allowed back into Toronto when he flies back on Air Canada?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Msafiri]

1. Yes you do not require the PR card when crossing the land border in a private vehicle. Carry your expired card and your COPR/IMM1000. I suggest carry some proof of your residence in Canada such as a notice of tax assessment, pay stubs, lease/mortgage deeds.

2. Usually the airline check in agent is concerned about any passenger being admitted at the destination. Their second concern is if the passenger is denied admissiom then the airline may be liable to pay fines and/or to return the passenger back to the point of origin. For this reason airlines often require a return ticket if you are not a citizen or a resident of the destination country. Your son's US passport is proof he is visa exempt to Canada but the lack of a valid PR card means the residence issue is a concern as his ticket is the return leg of the journey.

Anectodal evidence is that AC are more relaxed about the no PR card held for PRs that are visa exempt to Canada. I'd get to the airport early and explain the situation. Carry the expired card and proof of his residence such as school records. Be prepared to purchase a one way ticket back from Canada if AC play hardball. An additional issue is to have the correct paperwork that the travel is agreed between the parents and proof of parentage.

3. Renew your PR cards when he returns but make sure you each have at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada in the 5 years prior to the application date. You should consider applying for Canadian Citizenship if you have 1095 days of pyhiscal presence in Canada in the last 4 years. (your son doesn't need the 1095 days but you do)


Happy holidays and good luck!

 

[sns204]

Thank you for the quick reply.

In reading your reply, I just realized that he's actually flying on Delta on the way back. Would they be looking at it the same as AC would?

And we've been living here since we landed, no residency issues. Held off citizenship as I didn't really want to give up my American status.

 

[Msafiri]

1. All airlines have the same issue so be prepared to purchase a one way ticket back to the US. You can cash this once he is done with CBSA and has left the customs area. Talk to the check in manager on the day and explain your situation they may let the lack of a valid PR Card fly (no pun intended).

2. Ahh that line in the US citizenship oath about giving up allegience to all other foreign governments etc...that statement is meaningless to other governments. The one sure fire way to renounce US Citizenship is to formally do this at a consular office and this requires filling out paperwork.

3. You can be a dual Canadian/ US citizen not an issue. Go ahead and apply as its pointless waiting if you qualify. It will only get more expensive and take longer as per the recent approach to processing. This because CIC discovered a major residence/ citizenship fraud ring centred in Mississauga and Montreal so they now take an over zealous approach to confirming residence by issuing Residence Questionnaires on the slightest concern - this can add 12-18 months to the regular processing time currently quoted at 21 months (for 80% of applications).