PR card hasn't arrived but I need to leave Canada briefly for work

[murphn24]

Hi,

I need to travel to the UK with work but I haven't received my PR card yet. I am approximately 30 days over the processing time quoted on the CIC website. I called them and they said it should have been sent out but hasn't been yet. They are following up for me. The issue is that I may not receive it before I need to travel.

Will the airline block me coming back to Canada for sure or can I use the Confirmation of PR document in my passport as proof of my permanent residency? It seems silly that Canada will allow me to enter but that the airline can block me. Any help/advice on the matter would be much appreciated! I'm new to this job and the travel is essential so I can't defer it.

Thanks!

 

[akapoor]

You will need to apply for a Travel Document at Canadian Embassy in UK.

It usually takes 10 days or so to receive.

 

[Rob_TO]

As long as you hold a visa-exempt passport, you don't require a travel document.

Just do NOT mention your PR status to the airline. Tell them you are flying to Canada under your visa-exempt passport. If you tell them you're a PR they may demand to see PR card, as COPR is not a valid travel document.

When flying under visa-exempt passport they may ask for proof of return ticket, in which case you may need to buy a fully refundable one on the spot and then just cancel it afterwards. But most people don't even need to do this.

Once back at Canada airport, CBSA can look up your PR status by just your passport and COPR.

 

[murphn24]

You will need to apply for a Travel Document at Canadian Embassy in UK.

It usually takes 10 days or so to receive.

Can I get this from Canada before I leave? Would that be 10 business days? Thanks

 

[murphn24]

As long as you hold a visa-exempt passport, you don't require a travel document.

Just do NOT mention your PR status to the airline. Tell them you are flying to Canada under your visa-exempt passport. If you tell them you're a PR they may demand to see PR card, as COPR is not a valid travel document.

When flying under visa-exempt passport they may ask for proof of return ticket, in which case you may need to buy a fully refundable one on the spot and then just cancel it afterwards. But most people don't even need to do this.

Once back at Canada airport, CBSA can look up your PR status by just your passport and COPR.

Thanks Rob. I may need to do this if I can't get a travel visa in time. It's a pretty dumb system that I need to prove myself to an airline I think.

 

[scylla]

Can I get this from Canada before I leave? Would that be 10 business days? Thanks

No - you can't. You can only apply for and obtain the Travel Document from outside of Canada.

What passport do you hold? If you are visa exempt - forget the TD and fly on your passport alone.

 

[murphn24]

No - you can't. You can only apply for and obtain the Travel Document from outside of Canada.

What passport do you hold? If you are visa exempt - forget the TD and fly on your passport alone.

Yes, I'm visa exempt I believe - hold an Irish passport. I can't get a TD as I'm only doing a fly in and fly out (no more than 3 days).

Thanks for your input!

 

[scylla]

Yes - you're visa exempt. Just fly on your passport.

 

[murphn24]

Yes - you're visa exempt. Just fly on your passport.

Great, thanks!