PRTD for US Citizen PR returning to Canada by air

[Tubsmagee]

Good evening -

Seeking clarification on whether a PRTD is required for PRs who are US Citizens. Per guidance from CIC, the PRTD (or PRC) is required by all to comply with eTA, but US citizens don't have to have an eTA... so do they have to have a PR card or PRTD when flying into Canada? I have read on this board several times people saying they don't have to, but haven't seen it in writing for regs. Contacted the processing center overseas where I am, and they said it was required... Anyone has personal experience or a regulation that makes clear?

 

[keesio]

Good evening -

Seeking clarification on whether a PRTD is required for PRs who are US Citizens. Per guidance from CIC, the PRTD (or PRC) is required by all to comply with eTA, but US citizens don't have to have an eTA... so do they have to have a PR card or PRTD when flying into Canada? I have read on this board several times people saying they don't have to, but haven't seen it in writing for regs. Contacted the processing center overseas where I am, and they said it was required... Anyone has personal experience or a regulation that makes clear?

I don't think they do. My wife is a US citizen who is a PR. She does not carry her PR card. But we are also NEXUS members and board the plane with just our NEXUS cards and use the NEXUS kiosks to enter Canada.

 

[thecoolguysam]

I don't think they do. My wife is a US citizen who is a PR. She does not carry her PR card. But we are also NEXUS members and board the plane with just our NEXUS cards and use the NEXUS kiosks to enter Canada.

I think the OP is flying from some other country other than USA.

 

[Tubsmagee]

I think the OP is flying from some other country other than USA.

Correct, flying for Asia.

 

[keesio]

Correct, flying for Asia.

My wife and I flew back to Canada from South Korea back in October. She only showed her US passport and was able to board. But I think this was just a bit before the eta enforement came into effect.

 

[Rob_TO]

Good evening -

Seeking clarification on whether a PRTD is required for PRs who are US Citizens. Per guidance from CIC, the PRTD (or PRC) is required by all to comply with eTA, but US citizens don't have to have an eTA... so do they have to have a PR card or PRTD when flying into Canada? I have read on this board several times people saying they don't have to, but haven't seen it in writing for regs. Contacted the processing center overseas where I am, and they said it was required... Anyone has personal experience or a regulation that makes clear?

IRCC will always say a PR TD is required, as this is their official stance. They have stated this for years, even though before eTA was introduced countless PRs travelled easily on visa-exempt passport alone.

In reality things work a bit differently. If you pose to the airline as a US foreign national and not a PR, then technically an eTA-exempt US passport should be all you need to travel. If you voluntarily mentioned to the airline you were a PR, they may then demand a valid PR card or PR TD to allow boarding. So don't indicate your PR status in any way.

The risk here is if the info Canada shares with airlines allow them to identify you as a PR, they may demand the valid PR card. However as far as I know your PR status is not shown to the airline (they just see a board/no-board indication), so I don't think you would have any problems.

 

[keesio]

Another update, my wife and I just returned to Toronto from another trip to South Korea. She is a PR and was able to board her Air Canada flight with just her US passport. No other information or ID was requested.

 

[Brit_chick]

Another update, my wife and I just returned to Toronto from another trip to South Korea. She is a PR and was able to board her Air Canada flight with just her US passport. No other information or ID was requested.

Hi Keesio,

I am in the exact same situation - my husband is American. We applied for PR together but his photo's were rejected for his card and has had to just resubmit them (my card came through fine.) The issue is we have to go to England for a week in June, tickets already booked and paid for, but we are worried his card wont come back in time and/or he wont be able to fly back into Vancouver. Its going to be way too expensive to rebook flights. I assumed he could just fly in on his US passport, and I see your wife did that fine, but I was curious if the customs people give you a hard time, or if they can revoke his residency under section 44 because he hasnt complied with residency requirements. Everyone is saying different things but whats the worst that can happen? (so i can mentally prepare) So frustrating

 

[Rob_TO]

I assumed he could just fly in on his US passport, and I see your wife did that fine, but I was curious if the customs people give you a hard time, or if they can revoke his residency under section 44 because he hasnt complied with residency requirements. Everyone is saying different things but whats the worst that can happen? (so i can mentally prepare) So frustrating

He can't possibly be in violation of his residency obligation, unless he's spent at least 3 years outside of Canada. If he's only recently gotten his PR status (so less than 3 years ago), then he is automatically in compliance with RO by default.

He'll just tell CBSA that he's waiting for PR card to arrive, and they will not give him any trouble. Can also show them COPR document.

 

[Brit_chick]

Yup, he landed as a resident in February 2018, but it took them 2 months to tell us his photo's didnt meet the specifications - no idea why because they looked exactly like mine in format. We dont have enough time to apply for a PRTD because we are only there a week. Thanks for this though, I have this horrible image in my head from all the other threads where they will detain him and/or send him back to the states which would inadvertently harm his PR :-|.

 

[trumprefugee]

Any updates? I'm a US citizen who is planning to land in mid May but will need to return to the US for a couple days in July or August and don't know if I will receive my PR card before then. Should I apply for PRTD? If so, should I apply when I land?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Any updates? I'm a US citizen who is planning to land in mid May but will need to return to the US for a couple days in July or August and don't know if I will receive my PR card before then. Should I apply for PRTD? If so, should I apply when I land?

Nothing has changed. You don't need a PRTD.

 

[CalifornianInCanada]

Hi, friends. I'd like to ask the same question again. I'm a US citizen who just became a PR (inland application) and have a signed COPR. I'll be returning from a business trip via airline (NYC to Montreal when I re-enter). As a US citizen and new Canadian PR residing in Quebec, I'll bring my passport and the singed COPR. Has anyone here done this more recently than April 2018? Any new updates?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi, friends. I'd like to ask the same question again. I'm a US citizen who just became a PR (inland application) and have a signed COPR. I'll be returning from a business trip via airline (NYC to Montreal when I re-enter). As a US citizen and new Canadian PR residing in Quebec, I'll bring my passport and the singed COPR. Has anyone here done this more recently than April 2018? Any new updates?

See the post before yours.

 

[trumprefugee]

FYI I did not fly, but in July I did have to take a trip to the US by bus and had not received my PR card. I had no issues coming back to Toronto with passport and COPR. Canada immigration hardly asked me any questions and was done with me very quickly.