Waiting for PR Card ... Wanting to go to Mexico ... is there a way ?!

[WidnesPR]

Hello Fellow Waiters ....

Happily after 12 months of waiting we received my spouse's approval and COPR ... He landed December 20th 2015, I understand its taking 105 days plus mailing to receive the actual card.

Here's the question;

We would like to go to Mexico March 24th because of the school break. Dilemma the border guard said no worries you can enter Canada CSBA with the COPR and we wont have any problem, however the airlines will require a PR card or a approved waiver after March 15th ... Permanent Residence are not eligible for the waiver.

Is it possible to get an PR travel document ? if so has anyone had success and how long does it typically wait? would it worth it ??

Any ideas would be helpful We would really love to have a family vacation in the sun after this ever so long wait

thank you all

 

[scylla]

You can certainly apply for a Travel Document. However you can't do that from Canada. You can only do this once you're in Mexico. If you're only there a week, this probably isn't enough time to get a TD approved.

Is he visa exempt or non visa exempt?

 

[Ponga]

If you're visa-exempt, one option would be to purchase a fully refundable return ticket to `back' to Mexico (or anywhere besides Canada).


You don't want to tell the airline that you are a new PR of Canada. You are simply `visiting' Canada.
The issue will be with the airline (or commercial carrier in general), but it will not be an issue with CBSA.

 

[Outlandish]

You can certainly apply for a Travel Document. However you can't do that from Canada. You can only do this once you're in Mexico. If you're only there a week, this probably isn't enough time to get a TD approved.

Is he visa exempt or non visa exempt?

Do you know how long it usually takes to receive the travel document?

 

[Ponga]

This might help:

Hi,

I would like to share our experience, and some information on PR cards.

So we finally landed in Calgary this week. The process was very smooth. The officer asked my wife if she has any dependent, and we said yes. The confirmation letter still says no because the officer said our son is Canadian.... Anyway, other than that, no real issue. We were Feb 2014 applicant, so exactly two years.

We then asked about traveling without getting the PR card on time. She said we can apply for the PR temp travel document (on the website, it states it only apply to lost or stolen card). Since I have not heard anything on my PR card renewal, i figure I call the call centre, and here are what i find out:

- Since they are switching to the new card, a lot of our application with the small size photos will not work. The agent told me to wait and see because they are trying to make it work (you know how it goes when it comes down to CIC trying to do something). For me, i have decided to send in an urgent request with the new size photos.
-They are only starting to review August applicant for renewal.
- With the backlog, she said it is okay now for people who needs to travel urgently to apply for the PR travel document, even though it says it is only for lost or stolen cards.

 

[fr33z3n]

Hello Fellow Waiters ....

Happily after 12 months of waiting we received my spouse's approval and COPR ... He landed December 20th 2015, I understand its taking 105 days plus mailing to receive the actual card.

Here's the question;

We would like to go to Mexico March 24th because of the school break. Dilemma the border guard said no worries you can enter Canada CSBA with the COPR and we wont have any problem, however the airlines will require a PR card or a approved waiver after March 15th ... Permanent Residence are not eligible for the waiver.

Is it possible to get an PR travel document ? if so has anyone had success and how long does it typically wait? would it worth it ??

Any ideas would be helpful We would really love to have a family vacation in the sun after this ever so long wait

thank you all

I got this from another thread, thought it might help.

I landed in Canada on Jan 25 but travelled back to my visa-exempt country. Will be returning April 27 and will not get my PR card by then.

As it takes at least 105 days to receive a Permanent resident card, I called CIC today to inquire if I need to get a Permanent Resident Travel Document and eTA in order to travel back to Canada. They confirmed that I need to get the PRTD, even if I come from a visa-exempt country, but as I am permanent resident won't need to get the eTA.

 

[PMM]

Hi

If you're visa-exempt, one option would be to purchase a fully refundable return ticket to `back' to Mexico (or anywhere besides Canada).


You don't want to tell the airline that you are a new PR of Canada. You are simply `visiting' Canada.
The issue will be with the airline (or commercial carrier in general), but it will not be an issue with CBSA.

1. If the OP's spouse has a visa exempt passport, s/he would require an eta to fly to Canada from Mexico after 15/03/16. PRs are not eligible for ETAs. So without an ETA the airline won't board.

 

[Ponga]

I guess it all depends on when they will be flying back to Canada.

If only s/he were a U.S. citizen, to be exempt from the requirement.

 

[truesmile]

For a trip that seems to me they have not even booked yet . . . the OP best NOT be going. Plenty of time for trips to Mexico later.