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re-Entering Canada with only COPR letter

akmedo

Newbie
Mar 3, 2014
6
0
I activated my PR 6 weeks ago but have not got my PR card yet.
Im travelling back to the UK for 2 weeks next week. If I don't get a travel document from the Canadian Embassy in london, will Immigration at Pearson Airport Let me back in?

Surely they would be able to see on the computer that I have PR.

Please let me know your thoughts?
 

dharane

Star Member
Oct 1, 2013
79
0
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
NOC Code......
0213
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-08-2013
AOR Received.
29-10-2013
IELTS Request
06-07-2013
File Transfer...
29-10-2013
Med's Request
03-04-2014
Med's Done....
07-04-2014
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
17-04-2014
VISA ISSUED...
22-04-2014
LANDED..........
28-04-2014
I landed yesterday at Rainbow bridge and I did ask the specific question to the immigration officer.

The answer given to me is that the COPR is not considered as an official travel document when your port of entry is through an Airport. You might not be allowed back. You will have to reach out to the Canadian embassy in UK and get the visa to re-enter.

The other way they suggested is to take the return flight to USA and return to Canada through US/Canada border.

Hope this helps.
 

LPS

Champion Member
Aug 7, 2013
1,250
37
Category........
Visa Office......
CPC-O
NOC Code......
2174
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-08-2013
AOR Received.
07-10-2013
Med's Request
07-03-2014
Med's Done....
26-03-2014
LANDED..........
09-04-2014
I saw an explanation in another thread (I'll try to find it). If you're visa-exempt (which as a Briton you would be) then you may be able to fly back with just the COPR.
 

green_dc

Hero Member
Dec 18, 2011
271
3
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-01-2013
AOR Received.
06-03-2013
akmedo said:
I activated my PR 6 weeks ago but have not got my PR card yet.
Im travelling back to the UK for 2 weeks next week. If I don't get a travel document from the Canadian Embassy in london, will Immigration at Pearson Airport Let me back in?

Surely they would be able to see on the computer that I have PR.

Please let me know your thoughts?

If you are originally from UK, then you wouldn't need a visa to re-enter as Uk is one of the visa-exempt country for Canada
 

thisisauser

Hero Member
Nov 23, 2012
726
46
Visa Office......
CPC-Ottawa
akmedo said:
I activated my PR 6 weeks ago but have not got my PR card yet.
Im travelling back to the UK for 2 weeks next week. If I don't get a travel document from the Canadian Embassy in london, will Immigration at Pearson Airport Let me back in?

Surely they would be able to see on the computer that I have PR.

Please let me know your thoughts?
Do you hold a UK passport? Would you generally need an entry visa? I assume not, which means you won't as a PR either.
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
1,950
Hi


thisisauser said:
Do you hold a UK passport? Would you generally need an entry visa? I assume not, which means you won't as a PR either.
Except the Airline may refuse boarding with a one-way ticket.
 

thisisauser

Hero Member
Nov 23, 2012
726
46
Visa Office......
CPC-Ottawa
PMM said:
Hi


Except the Airline may refuse boarding with a one-way ticket.
That might be a risk. In which case I suggest a PRTD application:

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/visas/tdpr_apply-demande_tvrp.aspx

Current processing time at the UK HC is 7 days which is pretty good.
 

Goku

VIP Member
Jan 13, 2014
4,082
730
Category........
akmedo said:
I activated my PR 6 weeks ago but have not got my PR card yet.
Im travelling back to the UK for 2 weeks next week. If I don't get a travel document from the Canadian Embassy in london, will Immigration at Pearson Airport Let me back in?

Surely they would be able to see on the computer that I have PR.

Please let me know your thoughts?
Another option is go to States if possible and then enter Canada through land crossing.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
akmedo said:
I activated my PR 6 weeks ago but have not got my PR card yet.
Im travelling back to the UK for 2 weeks next week. If I don't get a travel document from the Canadian Embassy in london, will Immigration at Pearson Airport Let me back in?

Surely they would be able to see on the computer that I have PR.
You will not need a PRTD. As mentioned above, it's possible (but unlikely) that the airline may not let you board with a one-way ticket. The easiest thing to do is simply buy a separate fully refundable ticket back to the UK. Once you land in Canada, cancel it and get your money back.

There will be no issue when you get to immigration. Just tell them you haven't received your card yet; they will swipe your passport, see that you are a recent PR and let you in without issue.