PR card not working properly - kiosk machines at Pearson do not read it

[EU_2010]

I've searched for this topic on the CIC side but all I found was information on cases where the card was issued with incorrect spelling or things like that and the forms how you would apply for a new card. The process is quite comprehensive regarding documents you have to complete, photos, and I understand you also have to send in the orginal PR card.

I wonder if anyone was in the same situation and can give some advice. Having had my PR for a couple of months now and having gone through immigration at Pearson several times (T1: five times, T3: once), I keep running into the same problem. The kiosks won't read my PR card. Of course I've asked for assistance and tried another machine - nothing worked and every time I ended up having to see an officer. It was never a problem and rarely adds more than 5 min extra but I am starting to think that the more time passes, I will get questioned one day that I never did anything about this.
Sending in my original PR card to have it changed is an option I would really like to avoid. Between personal and business trips, I have about 10 international trips each year. Almost always through Pearson, never crossing the land border. I am visa-exempt so I could enter just as a tourist (and have my landing certificate with me instead of the PR card), but I'd like to avoid that route.

Any thoughts?

 

[ian123]

I recently became a permanent resident and entered Canada via Pearson today for the first time after receiving my PR card. I experienced the same issue and was told by the border officer that this was due to my nationality (Germany). However, a friend of mine who is also from Germany doesn't experience these issues, his card can be read by the kiosk machines. Have you ever been able to resolve the issues with your PR card in the 4 years that have passed? ;-)