PR Card request while traveling in and out of Canada

[Curious_Man]

Hi everyone,

I tried calling IRCC but I couldn't get through to anyone. Finally this morning they approved our application and instructed us to follow the PR portal to get the PR card. However, for the next 3 weeks I'll be travelling to and from Canada multiple times for work, does this prohibit me from clicking "I am in Canada" on the PR portal? Would my next trip abroad by default force me to have to "land" on my next entry into Canada?

EDIT: For clarification, I'm looking to confirm if I can leave Canada and come back to Canada on an eTA if the application itself has been approved, but haven't yet received a CoPR or started the application for a PR card on the PR portal. I'd like to do that upon my return inside Canada if it's possible.

Thank you in advance!

 

[steaky]

Hi everyone,

I tried calling IRCC but I couldn't get through to anyone. Finally this morning they approved our application and instructed us to follow the PR portal to get the PR card. However, for the next 3 weeks I'll be travelling to and from Canada multiple times for work, does this prohibit me from clicking "I am in Canada" on the PR portal? Would my next trip abroad by default force me to have to "land" on my next entry into Canada?

Thank you in advance!

You will have to sort this out with the border officer you encounter.

 

[Curious_Man]

@armoured Hello, I've seen you provide excellent wisdom on this forum elsewhere, perhaps you could help with the above, please? Thank you!

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,

I tried calling IRCC but I couldn't get through to anyone. Finally this morning they approved our application and instructed us to follow the PR portal to get the PR card. However, for the next 3 weeks I'll be travelling to and from Canada multiple times for work, does this prohibit me from clicking "I am in Canada" on the PR portal? Would my next trip abroad by default force me to have to "land" on my next entry into Canada?

EDIT: For clarification, I'm looking to confirm if I can leave Canada and come back to Canada on an eTA if the application itself has been approved, but haven't yet received a CoPR or started the application for a PR card on the PR portal. I'd like to do that upon my return inside Canada if it's possible.

Thank you in advance!

Lots like you received virtual landing which means you are a PR and will be required to have a PR card to enter Canada unless by land through the US. Your TRV will be cancelled.

 

[Curious_Man]

Lots like you received virtual landing which means you are a PR and will be required to have a PR card to enter Canada unless by land through the US. Your TRV will be cancelled.

This is what I first thought too, but upon second reading, the letter says:

"Your application for permanent residence has been approved. The final step in processing your application is to confirm your permanent residence and create your permanent resident card."

Which is why I still have some "hope" that I'm not a PR yet and could just delay it until I get back next week and do it in Canada, once I'm through the border on my eTA. I'm meant to fly Monday night, back on Thursday so while I'm obviously over the moon for the approval, the timing is not the best...

 

[canuck78]

This is what I first thought too, but upon second reading, the letter says:

"Your application for permanent residence has been approved. The final step in processing your application is to confirm your permanent residence and create your permanent resident card."

Which is why I still have some "hope" that I'm not a PR yet and could just delay it until I get back next week and do it in Canada, once I'm through the border on my eTA. I'm meant to fly Monday night, back on Thursday so while I'm obviously over the moon for the approval, the timing is not the best...

That is your virtual landing letter so you are a PR without a PR card. You have to hope they haven’t canceled your ETA yet unless you are a US citizen. That is a huge risk. If you aren’t able to board your flight your only option would be to apply for a PRTD or fly to the US (if you have a visa) and cross the border by land. PRTD can take time.

 

[armoured]

This is what I first thought too, but upon second reading, the letter says:

"Your application for permanent residence has been approved. The final step in processing your application is to confirm your permanent residence and create your permanent resident card."

Which is why I still have some "hope" that I'm not a PR yet and could just delay it until I get back next week and do it in Canada, once I'm through the border on my eTA. I'm meant to fly Monday night, back on Thursday so while I'm obviously over the moon for the approval, the timing is not the best...

I am not certain where this leaves you. I read the plain language of "is to confirm your permanent residence" to mean that they have NOT virtually landed you, that is, until you confirm you are in Canada (because otherwise they would have to issue you a visa/COPR through passport request abroad). Also because I believe I have seen other such cases where the language is more clear and specific that you ARE a PR (with even congratulations in text).

All I can suggest is contact IRCC by phone / try through your MP given your pending travel. (Or cancel travel and just confirm now as requested).

Good luck, let others know.

 

[Curious_Man]

I am not certain where this leaves you. I read the plain language of "is to confirm your permanent residence" to mean that they have NOT virtually landed you, that is, until you confirm you are in Canada (because otherwise they would have to issue you a visa/COPR through passport request abroad). Also because I believe I have seen other such cases where the language is more clear and specific that you ARE a PR (with even congratulations in text).

All I can suggest is contact IRCC by phone / try through your MP given your pending travel. (Or cancel travel and just confirm now as requested).

Good luck, let others know.

Thank you for your input! I've also reached out to our immigration lawyer we used to put the application pack together to see if she can help confirm. It's a pretty important trip so wiggling out of it would be last resort, but hey...

I'll post the results here just in case anyone else winds up in a similar sitch!

 

[armoured]

Thank you for your input! I've also reached out to our immigration lawyer we used to put the application pack together to see if she can help confirm. It's a pretty important trip so wiggling out of it would be last resort, but hey...

I'll post the results here just in case anyone else winds up in a similar sitch!

I warn, you should still try to contact IRCC and through your MP to clarify.

Problem is, these procedures are somewhat new and not always consistent in terms of use of language etc (eg @canuck78 may well be right and they already consider you a PR).

And I doubt a lawyer will be able to give you a 100% certain answer - the question is not really a legal one and some things the lawyer cannot know.

 

[Curious_Man]

I warn, you should still try to contact IRCC and through your MP to clarify.

Problem is, these procedures are somewhat new and not always consistent in terms of use of language etc (eg @canuck78 may well be right and they already consider you a PR).

And I doubt a lawyer will be able to give you a 100% certain answer - the question is not really a legal one and some things the lawyer cannot know.

Fair point, thank you!

 

[canuck78]

Think this confirms that this is your virtual landing letter

https://go4visa.com/2021/09/02/confirming-your-permanent-residence-online-pr-virtual-landing-in-canada/

 

[Curious_Man]

Think this confirms that this is your virtual landing letter

https://go4visa.com/2021/09/02/confirming-your-permanent-residence-online-pr-virtual-landing-in-canada/

Matches word for word... Thanks Canuck! So I guess this means I'm a "deemed" PR and I wouldn't be able to get back without a CoPR document (which I won't have until I confirm the PR or a PR card) - correct?

I'm a dual citizen and they issued the CoPR number with the passport that I haven't been using to enter Canada so I don't think they cancelled my eTA in my other passport.

 

[canuck78]

Matches word for word... Thanks Canuck! So I guess this means I'm a "deemed" PR and I wouldn't be able to get back without a CoPR document (which I won't have until I confirm the PR or a PR card) - correct?

I'm a dual citizen and they issued the CoPR number with the passport that I haven't been using to enter Canada so I don't think they cancelled my eTA in my other passport.

Are you a US citizen? You need a PR card not a COPR to fly back unless you are a US citizen. The system should cancel any ETA under your name although the system isn’t perfect. You also should come up as a PR in the system which would require a PR card or PRTD to fly. Even if your ETA isn’t cancelled you should appear as a PR which would mean the airline would want you to show a PR card or PRTD.

 

[Curious_Man]

Are you a US citizen? You need a PR card not a COPR to fly back unless you are a US citizen. The system should cancel any ETA under your name although the system isn’t perfect. You also should come up as a PR in the system which would require a PR card or PRTD to fly. Even if your ETA isn’t cancelled you should appear as a PR which would mean the airline would want you to show a PR card or PRTD.

No. I'm British & EU. Their letter does say "if you're currently outside Canada, what is your expected return date", which kind of implies to me that perhaps this can be delayed or at the very least I should still be able to return just on an eta - no?

In lieu of being able to actually call IRCC I'm tempted to respond to their questions with current state of affairs and say while I'm in Canada right now I was planning on leaving on Monday and am planning on returning on Thursday...?

 

[canuck78]

No. I'm British & EU. Their letter does say "if you're currently outside Canada, what is your expected return date", which kind of implies to me that perhaps this can be delayed or at the very least I should still be able to return just on an eta - no?

In lieu of being able to actually call IRCC I'm tempted to respond to their questions with current state of affairs and say while I'm in Canada right now I was planning on leaving on Monday and am planning on returning on Thursday...?

Would personally not reply until you have left and entered Canada and hope everything goes well. Nothing is going to get done by next week because it is a long weekend and it usually takes weeks before anyone reads the responses. If you indicate that you are out of Canada you may then be processed as if you are outside Canada for your landing. They may have changed the process and instead of sending you virtual landing (and sometimes confirming you are in Canada first) you may now need to confirm that you are in Canada before you are a full PR in the system and your ETA gets cancelled. It is hard to know. Your timing is very unfortunate but not very common and virtual landings are relatively new.