+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Travel before receiving PR

ck_ca_ee

Full Member
Aug 16, 2022
27
2
Hi all,

Hi, I landed recently in Canada and it looks like PR cards are taking their sweet time these days. agent said 3 to 4 month.
I have to travel outside Canada next month, I do have a valid visitor visa. Agent said I could travel with it + COPR. but I can't find any info on this online.
Should go ahead and travel back with Visitor visa + COPR or just play it safe and apply for a PRTD?
any experiences like this?
 

iSaidGoodDay

VIP Member
Feb 3, 2023
4,473
2,384
Kaneda
Hi all,

Hi, I landed recently in Canada and it looks like PR cards are taking their sweet time these days. agent said 3 to 4 month.
I have to travel outside Canada next month, I do have a valid visitor visa. Agent said I could travel with it + COPR. but I can't find any info on this online.
Should go ahead and travel back with Visitor visa + COPR or just play it safe and apply for a PRTD?
any experiences like this?
Your visitor visa is void post PR. If you are flying by air, you'll need a PRTD to come back to Canada. If you are travelling by land and planning to enter through the U.S., you will be allowed to enter.
 

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,416
1,468
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hi all,

Hi, I landed recently in Canada and it looks like PR cards are taking their sweet time these days. agent said 3 to 4 month.
I have to travel outside Canada next month, I do have a valid visitor visa. Agent said I could travel with it + COPR. but I can't find any info on this online.
Should go ahead and travel back with Visitor visa + COPR or just play it safe and apply for a PRTD?
any experiences like this?
A prime example of an `agent' (at the call centre?), that is anything BUT.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ck_ca_ee

ck_ca_ee

Full Member
Aug 16, 2022
27
2
Your visitor visa is void post PR. If you are flying by air, you'll need a PRTD to come back to Canada. If you are travelling by land and planning to enter through the U.S., you will be allowed to enter.
Makes sense, that's what I thought too. thanks!
 

Raptor33

Hero Member
May 10, 2020
380
141
Hi all,

Hi, I landed recently in Canada and it looks like PR cards are taking their sweet time these days. agent said 3 to 4 month.
I have to travel outside Canada next month, I do have a valid visitor visa. Agent said I could travel with it + COPR. but I can't find any info on this online.
Should go ahead and travel back with Visitor visa + COPR or just play it safe and apply for a PRTD?
any experiences like this?
Hi there!

I understand that you are in a bit of a dilemma. You have a valid visitor visa, but you also have a COPR, and you need to travel outside of Canada soon.
I can't give you legal advice, but I can share some information with you that may help you make a decision.

According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), you can travel with your valid visitor visa and your COPR. However, they also state that you may be denied entry if you do not have a valid PR card.

It is important to note that the CBSA has the discretion to deny entry to anyone, even if they have a valid visa or PR card. If you are denied entry, you may be sent back to your home country.

If you are concerned about being denied entry, you may want to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). A PRTD is a temporary travel document that allows you to travel outside of Canada while your PR card is being processed.

The application process for a PRTD is relatively simple, and you can apply online. However, there is a processing fee, and it may take several weeks to get your PRTD.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to travel with your visitor visa and COPR or to apply for a PRTD is up to you. You should weigh the risks and benefits of each option and decide what is best for you.

Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
  • The length of your trip: If you are only going to be gone for a short period of time, you may be able to get away with traveling with your visitor visa and COPR. However, if you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your destination: Some countries are more likely to deny entry to people who do not have a valid PR card. If you are traveling to a country that is known to be strict on immigration, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your personal circumstances: If you have any health concerns or other factors that may make it difficult for you to return to Canada, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
I hope this information helps you make a decision.
 

Tubsmagee

Hero Member
Jul 2, 2016
438
131
Hi there!

I understand that you are in a bit of a dilemma. You have a valid visitor visa, but you also have a COPR, and you need to travel outside of Canada soon.
I can't give you legal advice, but I can share some information with you that may help you make a decision.

According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), you can travel with your valid visitor visa and your COPR. However, they also state that you may be denied entry if you do not have a valid PR card.

It is important to note that the CBSA has the discretion to deny entry to anyone, even if they have a valid visa or PR card. If you are denied entry, you may be sent back to your home country.

If you are concerned about being denied entry, you may want to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). A PRTD is a temporary travel document that allows you to travel outside of Canada while your PR card is being processed.

The application process for a PRTD is relatively simple, and you can apply online. However, there is a processing fee, and it may take several weeks to get your PRTD.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to travel with your visitor visa and COPR or to apply for a PRTD is up to you. You should weigh the risks and benefits of each option and decide what is best for you.

Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
  • The length of your trip: If you are only going to be gone for a short period of time, you may be able to get away with traveling with your visitor visa and COPR. However, if you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your destination: Some countries are more likely to deny entry to people who do not have a valid PR card. If you are traveling to a country that is known to be strict on immigration, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your personal circumstances: If you have any health concerns or other factors that may make it difficult for you to return to Canada, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
I hope this information helps you make a decision.
Stupid bot is wrong, visitor visa is not valid since OP is a PR.
 
  • Like
Reactions: YVR123

Raptor33

Hero Member
May 10, 2020
380
141
Stupid bot is wrong, visitor visa is not valid since OP is a PR.
You are correct. A valid visitor visa is not valid for a person who is a permanent resident of Canada. A permanent resident must have a valid PR card to enter and exit Canada.

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and you do not have a valid PR card, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). A PRTD is a temporary travel document that allows permanent residents to travel outside of Canada while their PR card is being processed.

The application process for a PRTD is relatively simple, and you can apply online. However, there is a processing fee, and it may take several weeks to receive your PRTD.

I apologize for the error in my previous response.
 

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,416
1,468
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), you can travel with your valid visitor visa and your COPR. However, they also state that you may be denied entry if you do not have a valid PR card.

It is important to note that the CBSA has the discretion to deny entry to anyone, even if they have a valid visa or PR card. If you are denied entry, you may be sent back to your home country.
The parts in red are NOT true for a PR that has not lost their PR status. Even without a valid PR Card, they CANNOT be denied entry by CBSA. They CAN be denied boarding a commercial carrier, but that has nothing to do with CBSA. The commercial carrier allows the PR to travel to Canada. CBSA allows them to actually ENTER Canada. Big difference.
 

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,416
1,468
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
  • The length of your trip: If you are only going to be gone for a short period of time, you may be able to get away with traveling with your visitor visa and COPR. However, if you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your destination: Some countries are more likely to deny entry to people who do not have a valid PR card. If you are traveling to a country that is known to be strict on immigration, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
  • Your personal circumstances: If you have any health concerns or other factors that may make it difficult for you to return to Canada, you may want to apply for a PRTD.
But wait...there's more incorrect info above! LOL!

Name one country that would deny entry to a person that is a PR of CANADA? They still need to travel with a valid (non-Canadian) PASSPORT, which is what the PR would use to enter any country, other than their own or Canada.

Maybe you are not a human, rather...very NON intelligent AI.:rolleyes:
 

Raptor33

Hero Member
May 10, 2020
380
141
But wait...there's more incorrect info above! LOL!

Name one country that would deny entry to a person that is a PR of CANADA? They still need to travel with a valid (non-Canadian) PASSPORT, which is what the PR would use to enter any country, other than their own or Canada.

Maybe you are not a human, rather...very NON intelligent AI.:rolleyes:

You're right, I made a mistake. As for your comment about my intelligence, I am always learning new things. I appreciate your feedback, and I will try my best to provide more accurate information in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ponga

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,416
1,468
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
You're right, I made a mistake. As for your comment about my intelligence, I am always learning new things. I appreciate your feedback, and I will try my best to provide more accurate information in the future.
Ok, don't read too much into that `cheeky' post. Good on you for wanting to help.