Reentering Canada with An Expired PR Card

[JJN]

Hi all,

Myself and my parter leave Canada soon for a trip to our home country and were wondering if it's better to go through the PRTD process or fly into the US and cross into Canada by land with an expired PR card.

We don't have a lot of time in our home country and think that the PRTD might take longer than expected. We don't have the original COPR docs, but we have copies. We'll also have new passports (the old are expiring soon) when we reenter Canada.

Have any of you recently crossed into Canada by land with an expired PR doc? Any tips? How was it for you?

 

[miguelca]

If you won’t be able to get a PRTD, then crossing by land on a private vehicle or walking it’s your only option.

 

[JJN]

Can you define 'private vehicle' in this context? Will a rental car be okay? How about a bus?

 

[JJN]

I'm guessing that getting a bus, the walking across, then getting the same bus at the other side might also work...?

 

[scylla]

I'm guessing that getting a bus, the walking across, then getting the same bus at the other side might also work...?

No - it won't.

You must take a private vehicle.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the border, walk across, and then take another taxi the rest of the way.

 

[scylla]

Can you define 'private vehicle' in this context? Will a rental car be okay? How about a bus?

Bus is not a private vehicle. Rental car is OK.

 

[cr1mson]

Can you actually walk across? I was planning on taking an uber to the border from Buffalo INTL airport, then talking across, but do you HAVE to be in a private vehicle?

 

[armoured]

Can you actually walk across? I was planning on taking an uber to the border from Buffalo INTL airport, then talking across, but do you HAVE to be in a private vehicle?

I do not know current state of affairs at each crossing - my understanding is that you cannot at all of them, but at some you may be able to, notably the pedestrian bridge at Niagara Falls. But you really will have to check for each individual crossing, and check carefully.

 

[Jammie S]

Hello JJN,
Were you able to enter Canada via US (land crossing) with expired PR card

 

[JJN]

Hello JJN,
Were you able to enter Canada via US (land crossing) with expired PR card

Hi, I'm still not in Canada. I've not tried this yet. I am trying to apply for a PRTD instead, but please let me know how it goes.

 

[JoanneB]

Hi all,

Myself and my parter leave Canada soon for a trip to our home country and were wondering if it's better to go through the PRTD process or fly into the US and cross into Canada by land with an expired PR card.

We don't have a lot of time in our home country and think that the PRTD might take longer than expected. We don't have the original COPR docs, but we have copies. We'll also have new passports (the old are expiring soon) when we reenter Canada.

Have any of you recently crossed into Canada by land with an expired PR doc? Any tips? How was it for you?

I'd also like to know if this would work as we are planning to do the same.

 

[armoured]

I'd also like to know if this would work as we are planning to do the same.

There are lots of cases here reported of PRs crossing by land borders with expired PR cards. Apart from the mode-of-transport issue (due to covid), nothing changed - PRs at border will be admitted (as long as they can be identified).

Those with residency obligation non-compliance will also be let in - but could be reported at border for that non-compliance (they are let in to appeal, basically).

 

[JoanneB]

There are lots of cases here reported of PRs crossing by land borders with expired PR cards. Apart from the mode-of-transport issue (due to covid), nothing changed - PRs at border will be admitted (as long as they can be identified).

Those with residency obligation non-compliance will also be let in - but could be reported at border for that non-compliance (they are let in to appeal, basically).

Thank you!! Just don't want to make all these other arrangements if it won't work. I am a Canadian citizen. I will fly back to Pearson and then drive to Buffalo to pick up the hubby, whose PR card is expired but we have oodles of other documentation to prove identity. Also have his UCI so they can check that his PR card is indeed in process. Seems counterintuitive with Covid such a 'concern' and yet people are now booking separate flights and crossing the border to fetch the other because of the PR card delay. All that matters is that it'll work. Thanks for your input.

 

[armoured]

Thank you!! Just don't want to make all these other arrangements if it won't work. I am a Canadian citizen. I will fly back to Pearson and then drive to Buffalo to pick up the hubby, whose PR card is expired but we have oodles of other documentation to prove identity. Also have his UCI so they can check that his PR card is indeed in process. Seems counterintuitive with Covid such a 'concern' and yet people are now booking separate flights and crossing the border to fetch the other because of the PR card delay. All that matters is that it'll work. Thanks for your input.

Sounds like you are well prepared, you've got the right idea. Note, I haven't checked what covid stuff he needs.

 

[JoanneB]

Sounds like you are well prepared, you've got the right idea. Note, I haven't checked what covid stuff he needs.

He will only need an antigen test to fly to the States but PCR within 72 hours of arriving in Canada. That, too, is covered. Just need to make sure I can get into Buffalo and cross him back to the border within that 72 hour period of his PCR test in Mexico.