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bairn7

Hero Member
Feb 27, 2015
390
131
I'm landing in Canada for the first time in January. I have a couple of weeks before I start my job and I'd like to visit a friend in the US for a few days before starting. Am I right in thinking that I can't do this until I actually have a PR card? It will only be for 3 or 4 days.
 
If you intend to fly to/ from the US you will need a PR card to board a plane back to Canada. Alternatively you could turn up at the land border on the return with your COPR. Unless from a US visa waiver country you will also need a US visa whether you have a card or not.

Below link refers to a PRTD but you would not have time outside of the country to apply for that.


https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-immigrants/travelling-outside-canada-pr.html
 
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Thanks. So basically I'd need to return to Canada by road? Is there any chance of being denied entry because I dont' have a PR card?
 
Thanks. So basically I'd need to return to Canada by road? Is there any chance of being denied entry because I dont' have a PR card?

No, you cannot be denied entry once you've proved you're a PR (passport + CoPR). CBSA is legally obligated to let you enter Canada, you have the right to enter.
 
However, a commercial carrier (Bus, Plane, Train, whatever) is not obligated to let you travel without a visa/PR card/PRTD. That's why you'll need to roll up to the Canadian border in a private vehicle.
 
I'm a UK passport holder so I have a ETA in order to land in Canada. As far as an airline is concerned, isn't my ETA the important thing to check?
 
I'm a UK passport holder so I have a ETA in order to land in Canada. As far as an airline is concerned, isn't my ETA the important thing to check?
The odds are 50/50 that once you land as a PR that your ETA will be cancelled in the system and no longer valid given of course PRs cannot have an ETA nor need an ETA

It may take a while for the system to catch up there is no way to predict so as long as you approach the US trip on that basis that you may or may not be denied boarding from the US. As said no way to predict and may be lucky that the airline checkin does not recognise your newly aquired status.