PRs driving to USA for a flight (no PR card)

[Abydos]

Hoping that those a little more familiar with US immigration could lend some advice with a question about PRs travelling through the US.

I landed as PR at the end of March but still haven't received by PR card. I may have to travel out of Canada at the end of September (after ETA becomes mandatory - UK passport) and the trip will be too short to obtain a PRTD.

My question is is it possible to drive to an airport in the USA (I'm VWP/ESTA for USA), catch a return flight to my destination and then drive back across the border to Canada and enter using my COPR? Or will I run into trouble with US immigration because my flight itinerary ends in the US?

If it makes any difference I would be travelling with my Canadian spouse and have visited the US multiple times before, no issues etc. Just looking to find out whether this trip will actually be possible if my PR card doesn't turn up before I need to leave.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[jhutti]

Hoping that those a little more familiar with US immigration could lend some advice with a question about PRs travelling through the US.

I landed as PR at the end of March but still haven't received by PR card. I may have to travel out of Canada at the end of September (after ETA becomes mandatory - UK passport) and the trip will be too short to obtain a PRTD.

My question is is it possible to drive to an airport in the USA (I'm VWP/ESTA for USA), catch a return flight to my destination and then drive back across the border to Canada and enter using my COPR? Or will I run into trouble with US immigration because my flight itinerary ends in the US?

If it makes any difference I would be travelling with my Canadian spouse and have visited the US multiple times before, no issues etc. Just looking to find out whether this trip will actually be possible if my PR card doesn't turn up before I need to leave.

Thanks for any advice!

seems okay to me. COPR form is okay at border when returning back. When driving out from canada to US , At border just explain your intention of visit. If they ask too many question then explain the long story of PR card not available etc thats why u will reenter canada via private road trip. Try avoid making too much noise on it.

 

[Abydos]

seems okay to me. COPR form is okay at border when returning back. When driving out from canada to US , At border just explain your intention of visit. If they ask too many question then explain the long story of PR card not available etc thats why u will reenter canada via private road trip. Try avoid making too much noise on it.

Thanks jhutti. I would hope it would be fine with COPR, proof I'm living in Canada etc but I know what US immigration can be like - especially entering by air without an air or other ticket back out of the country. Hopefully I won't have to risk it and worry during my trip!

 

[CDNPR2014]

Thanks jhutti. I would hope it would be fine with COPR, proof I'm living in Canada etc but I know what US immigration can be like - especially entering by air without an air or other ticket back out of the country. Hopefully I won't have to risk it and worry during my trip!

the US land border agent isn't going to care about whether you have a PR card or not. You need to show them your passport, and assuming you are visa exempt in the US, then that is all you need. they will ask standard questions - where are you going, how long will you be here, where do you live. that's about it. you won't get grilled about why you don't have your PR card or why you are driving to the us to fly somewhere. it is quite common and canadians do it all the time.

Coming back to Canada all you need when entering through a land border is your passport and COPR, so yes, your trip will be possible without the PR card. They also will not grill you about not having a PR card. it is not necessary to use it when traveling by land.

 

[Abydos]

I'm not worried about entering or leaving Canada via the land border at all. I've already re-entered once at an airport with just my COPR.

My question is just to do with when I re-enter the USA by air. Much like Canada does not like non-residents entering the country without onward tickets, I wondered whether the US airport immigration would take issue with me entering the USA without an onward ticket, just planning to drive my own vehicle back.

If this is fine, awesome - just I have no experience so I wondered

 

[CDNPR2014]

I'm not worried about entering or leaving Canada via the land border at all. I've already re-entered once at an airport with just my COPR.

My question is just to do with when I re-enter the USA by air. Much like Canada does not like non-residents entering the country without onward tickets, I wondered whether the US airport immigration would take issue with me entering the USA without an onward ticket, just planning to drive my own vehicle back.

If this is fine, awesome - just I have no experience so I wondered

no it's not an issue. if you are flying domestic within the us, then you won't even talk to us immigration. if you are leaving the us, and they ask, you can tell them you are driving back, and show them proof of your payment for parking. if you are that worried, you can also bring current canadian paystubs to prove you work in canada. i doubt it will even be an issue.

 

[Abydos]

no it's not an issue. if you are flying domestic within the us, then you won't even talk to us immigration. if you are leaving the us, and they ask, you can tell them you are driving back, and show them proof of your payment for parking. if you are that worried, you can also bring current canadian paystubs to prove you work in canada. i doubt it will even be an issue.

Great, thank you

Fingers crossed the card turns up soon and I can avoid the hassle of the land border and just fly from Canada!