Using COPR to reenter Canada from the US

[JamesBox]

Hi all,

Received my COPR a couple of weeks back. When landing I asked the officer if I were to fly out of Canada to the US for a 2 week vacation before they send my PR card out, what do I need to do. (Expecting him to say apply for a PRTD once in the US) he said I can use my COPR until my PR card arrives...

This seems to go against everything I've read online.

Who is right? The internet/this forum or the officer at the border!

Thanks.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi

If you are flying to Canada, the airline will NOT allow you to board the plane without a valid PR card or PRTD.

If you are entering Canada at the land border by non-commercial means, then your passport is sufficient for entry.

 

[kateg]

If you are flying, you need a PR travel document.

If you are driving yourself, a CoPR will work.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

If you are flying, you need a PR travel document.

If you are driving yourself, a CoPR will work.

And you felt the need to revive this two-week old thread to basically just repeat what I said because...?

 

[kateg]

I respond to questions as I read through the thread sequentially. There's a risk of duplication, but it avoids missing things.

 

[bettyboopy]

Hi

If you are flying to Canada, the airline will NOT allow you to board the plane without a valid PR card or PRTD.

If you are entering Canada at the land border by non-commercial means, then your passport is sufficient for entry.

Hi, Im from a country which requires visa to come to Canada. I am sort of in the same situation: i want to go to the US before my PR card arrives. If by a rented car, I will only need my CoPR to enter Canada? No PR card needed? If by plane, I would not be able to enter Canada without having to apply for anything? And is there any difference if I rent a car or a car, say, my friend owns

Thank you！

 

[bettyboopy]

If you are flying, you need a PR travel document.

If you are driving yourself, a CoPR will work.

Hi, Im from a country which requires visa to come to Canada. I am sort of in the same situation: i want to go to the US before my PR card arrives. If by a rented car, I will only need my CoPR to enter Canada? No PR card needed? If by plane, I would not be able to enter Canada without having to apply for anything? And is there any difference if I rent a car or a car, say, my friend owns

Thank you！

 

[Rob_TO]

If by a rented car, I will only need my CoPR to enter Canada? No PR card needed?

Correct. Technically all you need is a passport, and CBSA would be able to determine your PR status. Showing the COPR makes this process a lot quicker and can possibly avoid a trip to secondary inspection to verify your status.

If by plane, I would not be able to enter Canada without having to apply for anything?

It's not entering Canada that's the problem, it's boarding the plane. Without a PR card they would demand a PR Travel Document in order for you to board.

You can apply for a PR TD once you're in the US. You would mail the application and your passport to a visa application centre in the US, they will process it and mail back your passport with the PR TD in it. It should take a couple weeks for the whole process.

And is there any difference if I rent a car or a car, say, my friend owns

No difference.
The key is being able to get to the border. As long as you can get there by whatever means, you're good.

 

[bettyboopy]

Correct. Technically all you need is a passport, and CBSA would be able to determine your PR status. Showing the COPR makes this process a lot quicker and can possibly avoid a trip to secondary inspection to verify your status.

It's not entering Canada that's the problem, it's boarding the plane. Without a PR card they would demand a PR Travel Document in order for you to board.

You can apply for a PR TD once you're in the US. You would mail the application and your passport to a visa application centre in the US, they will process it and mail back your passport with the PR TD in it. It should take a couple weeks for the whole process.

No difference.
The key is being able to get to the border. As long as you can get there by whatever means, you're good.

Thank you! I just want to make sure, if I enter Canada by car from US, that would be after I land. I land in Canada by plane in a week, then go to the states, then come back. So when Im coming back my card would not be ready, all I need to do is to drive and show the border people my CoPR? Im not talking about first time landing, Im talking about second time while waiting for the card. I dont want to confuse you lol, just making sure its the second time entering Canada we are talking about. Thank you!

 

[Rob_TO]

all I need to do is to drive and show the border people my CoPR? Im not talking about first time landing, Im talking about second time while waiting for the card. I dont want to confuse you lol, just making sure its the second time entering Canada we are talking about.

Yes, correct. This is entering by car after you've already landed.