Urgent Assistance Needed: Denied Entry to Canada at USA CLT airport with Refugee Travel document and eCoPR

[March21 Case]

I urgently need your help. I received my eCoPR on August 26, 2025, and traveled to the US last Friday for the long weekend using my Refugee Travel Document. However, when attempting to return to Canada, United Airlines staff at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) informed me that I required a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) and refused boarding. I am currently stuck at the airport.

Please advise on the immediate steps I should take to resolve this issue and return to Canada. Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated. As far as I know, I don't need PRTD since I have a refugee travel document and eCoPR.

 

[adamkw]

I urgently need your help. I received my eCoPR on August 26, 2025, and traveled to the US last Friday for the long weekend using my Refugee Travel Document. However, when attempting to return to Canada, United Airlines staff at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) informed me that I required a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) and refused boarding. I am currently stuck at the airport.

Please advise on the immediate steps I should take to resolve this issue and return to Canada. Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated. As far as I know, I don't need PRTD since I have a refugee travel document and eCoPR.

Unfortunately, you need a PRTD to get back into Canada since your status changed after you received eCOPR. Unless you have a PR Card + RTD, you'll need a PRTD to return to Canada. You can apply for an emergency PRTD here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...services/permanent-residents/card/urgent.html

 

[canuck78]

I urgently need your help. I received my eCoPR on August 26, 2025, and traveled to the US last Friday for the long weekend using my Refugee Travel Document. However, when attempting to return to Canada, United Airlines staff at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) informed me that I required a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) and refused boarding. I am currently stuck at the airport.

Please advise on the immediate steps I should take to resolve this issue and return to Canada. Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated. As far as I know, I don't need PRTD since I have a refugee travel document and eCoPR.

You need a PRTD or need to enter Canada by land using your eCOPR. You need your actual PR card to travel by air as a PR so were correctly denied boarding.

 

[Flowercita]

You need a PRTD or need to enter Canada by land using your eCOPR. You need your actual PR card to travel by air as a PR so were correctly denied boarding.

You can travel by land. In the website they explained You need to do it by car. So I Guess no comercial bus. Try to do this because takes time to get an emergency PRTD and You can't be 100% sure they expedite it.

 

[March21 Case]

You need a PRTD or need to enter Canada by land using your eCOPR. You need your actual PR card to travel by air as a PR so were correctly denied boarding.

Just FYI, I boarded AC flight back to Toronto, so I learned other Airlines, other than AIR CANADA might not be best fit to return to Canada using Refugee Travel document.

 

[Flowercita]

Just FYI, I boarded AC flight back to Toronto, so I learned other Airlines, other than AIR CANADA might not be best fit to return to Canada using Refugee Travel document.

Are you landed already?
I mean if immigration Canada allowed you to land by air as PR without PR card?

 

[March21 Case]

Are you landed already?
I mean if immigration Canada allowed you to land by air as PR without PR card?

Yes; the problem is not with immigration it’s with commercial carriers, normally they are strict not to face a penalty, and their system is not updated accordingly from Airlines to Airlines. As AC national carrier of Canada everything is updated and synchronized with Canada border agency.

 

[Flowercita]

Yes; the problem is not with immigration it’s with commercial carriers, normally they are strict not to face a penalty, and their system is not updated accordingly from Airlines to Airlines. As AC national carrier of Canada everything is updated and synchronized with Canada border agency.

Well, good to know. Glad you are back in Canada.
Phew!

 

[March21 Case]

Well, good to know. Glad you are back in Canada.
Phew!

Thanks. Well, I am planning to travel again due to emergency and I am worried, would IRCC stop sending the PR card to the provided address? If I am out of Canada? I don’t want to face the same thing again, I am hoping they will send it and my partner will DHL it to me.

 

[Flowercita]

Thanks. Well, I am planning to travel again due to emergency and I am worried, would IRCC stop sending the PR card to the provided address? If I am out of Canada? I don’t want to face the same thing again, I am hoping they will send it and my partner will DHL it to me.

That's forbidden. Don't do that. If You declared You are in Canada in P2 and You are not here, they Will consider misrepresenting.

 

[canuck78]

You can travel by land. In the website they explained You need to do it by car. So I Guess no comercial bus. Try to do this because takes time to get an emergency PRTD and You can't be 100% sure they expedite it.

Which is what I said.

Yes; the problem is not with immigration it’s with commercial carriers, normally they are strict not to face a penalty, and their system is not updated accordingly from Airlines to Airlines. As AC national carrier of Canada everything is updated and synchronized with Canada border agency.

You got very lucky

 

[March21 Case]

That's forbidden. Don't do that. If You declared You are in Canada in P2 and You are not here, they Will consider misrepresenting.

I was in Canada when I submit the P2; since it requested if I am in Canada currently. Currently doesn't mean the whole month as far as I know. So should I cancel my flight, it’s emergency I have to see my old sick dad in a third country but if I am going to lose the card due to my travel after waiting 2 years, I have to reconsider my travel.

 

[Flowercita]

I was in Canada when I submit the P2; since it requested if I am in Canada currently. Currently doesn't mean the whole month as far as I know. So should I cancel my flight, it’s emergency I have to see my old sick dad in a third country but if I am going to lose the card due to my travel after waiting 2 years, I have to reconsider my travel.

That means You are supposed to remain in Canada while waiting for your ecopr and card. If You have to travel i suggest contact immigration and notify them. They Will give You better advice.

 

[canuck78]

I was in Canada when I submit the P2; since it requested if I am in Canada currently. Currently doesn't mean the whole month as far as I know. So should I cancel my flight, it’s emergency I have to see my old sick dad in a third country but if I am going to lose the card due to my travel after waiting 2 years, I have to reconsider my travel.

You are confirming you are currently in Canada and will be in Canada to receive virtual landing with P2.