Question about travelling while waiting for PR card.

[mgrandolini]

When you land in Canada and are awaiting your PR card are you able to leave the country?

 

[mitchieescarlos]

When you land in Canada and are awaiting your PR card are you able to leave the country?

Yes you are. But sometimes that causes delays and questioning when reentering the country.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Yes, you can leave. Unless you are out of Canada for several years and it's possible you don't meet the Residency Obligation, there will be no delays or questioning when you return to Canada.

 

[CANzanillo]

Yes, you can leave. Unless you are out of Canada for several years and it's possible you don't meet the Residency Obligation, there will be no delays or questioning when you return to Canada.

A clarifying question, if I may.

Is a "Travel Document" not required for a Permanent Resident Abroad? If you have not yet received your PR card? The answer to this question is important to me because we are awaiting approval for my wife's PR spousal application. We anticipate an approval later this year and hopefully landing before he end of December, all things being equal, but are concerned that we won't receive her PR card in time for a business related trip/vacation to Portugal in March of 2016.

Are we not to be concerned about my wife leaving Canada without the PR card??

 

[mitchieescarlos]

Yes, you can leave. Unless you are out of Canada for several years and it's possible you don't meet the Residency Obligation, there will be no delays or questioning when you return to Canada.

Really? I read about a member's experience in CSBA that he was questioned for not having his PR card when he was reentering the country. He said he was lucky that he had his CoPR in hand.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Is a "Travel Document" not required for a Permanent Resident Abroad?

Are we not to be concerned about my wife leaving Canada without the PR card??

A PRTD is only required for those who are not visa-exempt. They must show the commercial carrier (plane, train, bus etc.) that they can enter Canada; without the PR card, they must get a PRTD or enter by land in a private vehicle/on foot.

Those who are visa-exempt can travel to Canada on the strength of just their passport as if they were a visitor, at least until the eTA becomes mandatory.

Really? I read about a member's experience in CSBA that he was questioned for not having his PR card when he was reentering the country. He said he was lucky that he had his CoPR in hand.

There is no requirement to have a PR card or COPR to enter Canada. I imagine CBSA questioned this person for other reasons, such as the possibility of not meeting the RO.

 

[CANzanillo]

A PRTD is only required for those who are not visa-exempt. They must show the commercial carrier (plane, train, bus etc.) that they can enter Canada; without the PR card, they must get a PRTD or enter by land in a private vehicle/on foot.

Those who are visa-exempt can travel to Canada on the strength of just their passport as if they were a visitor, at least until the eTA becomes mandatory.


There is no requirement to have a PR card or COPR to enter Canada. I imagine CBSA questioned this person for other reasons, such as the possibility of not meeting the RO.

That makes more sense. My wife is from a none visa-exempt country (Mexico) therefore would require a PRTD or enter in a private vehicle/on foot as you say. Hopefully she will get approved quickly and we'll have the PR card before our trip departure.

The eTA is supposed to come into effect in mid-March 2016 for Mexico. Would that have any bearing on her need for a PRTD in the event she doesn't receive her PR card in time? That is could she apply for a visa through eTA having already landed in Canada but left the country?

Thanks for your responses. It is appreciated!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

The eTA is supposed to come into effect in mid-March 2016 for Mexico. Would that have any bearing on her need for a PRTD in the event she doesn't receive her PR card in time? That is could she apply for a visa through eTA having already landed in Canada but left the country?

No. Like Canadian citizens, PRs will not be able to apply for an eTA.

 

[Oak]

I just got my COPR on Sept 4th (Friday) and my document bears the statement "NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL". Visa officer asked if I had the need to leave Canada in the succeeding three months, I said no. It takes approximately 77 days for the PR card.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I just got my COPR on Sept 4th (Friday) and my document bears the statement "NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL".

This statement simply means that the COPR cannot be used in place of a passport/travel document.