Help! Who do i contact?

[Francis123]

I landed in May and still haven't received my PR card and need to enter Canada next month from the USA. I realize the postal strike affected this. I just want to see the status of the PR Card, maybe they haven't even mailed it out yet. I tried the Call centre several times, but it always says there's no agents available and to try back another time (I tried today which is supposedly their least busiest day) and then they disconnect the call. Is there some way I can email and get a response, or a different phone number to try? Help please!

[CharlieD10]

If you are a US citizen, you should have no issues entering on the strength of your COPR and passport.  Remember, you were visa exempt before, so it's unlikely you will be hassled now.  I'm sure the border officials are aware of the mail strike affecting such things.

[Canooknic]

My fiancé hasn't received his yet either, he landed 17th May. We gave up trying to call!!!

[Aneyshar]

Or this: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-how.asp#urgent


If you provided your mailing address at the time of landing, you should have received your PR card within 39 BUSINESS days. See: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-card.asp

So if you landed in May, 39 business days should be about now... so i think you can expect the card anytime soon.

[pinklady]

keep trying francis, i just got through, am on hold now. Took many attempts!

[buffalo-toronto]

A question here...

I am not from visa exempt country. I have TRV to Canada till Oct 2011. If I land lets say in Aug 2011 and come back to USA. Can I use TRV to enter canada again because I wont have the PR Card with me for 2-3 months?

Can we enter Canada without the PR card or TRV if not from visa exempt country?

[Love_Young]

It is taken closer to 9-10 weeks from time of landing to get the PR card in the mail. Seems that postal strike backed up by another two weeks. So hang tight. And you should be fine on just entering on your COPR and passport. Just explain the postal strike backlog and they will understand but I am sure they will let you in without even needing to explain that.

You could join us over to the "PR card arrival timeline" thread. I have started a chart for more accurate times during the strike.
Right now, those who landed in the beginning of May are starting to get theirs. And someone told me the timelines are actually closer to 48 business days. This doesn't include weekends or holidays.

[can_usa_97]

I entered just fine, well with a few questions -mainly because we have 2 kids and they were not listed on my COPR so I think the agent was slightly confused -they are already Canadians - which is why they weren't listed... but I entered without issue over the Holiday weekend - July 2-5. I had landed in mid-May.

[CharlieD10]

A question here...

I am not from visa exempt country. I have TRV to Canada till Oct 2011. If I land lets say in Aug 2011 and come back to USA. Can I use TRV to enter canada again because I wont have the PR Card with me for 2-3 months?

Can we enter Canada without the PR card or TRV if not from visa exempt country?

Persons from non-visa-exempt countries who are PR and do not have their card need to apply for a travel document from the Canadian embassy. 

[buffalo-toronto]

Persons from non-visa-exempt countries who are PR and do not have their card need to apply for a travel document from the Canadian embassy. 

But what if I have a valid Visitors Visa?

[CharlieD10]

I am not sure how that would work, because so far as I can see, when you become a PR, that should invalidate any TRVs previously held.  You no longer need a visitor's visa, because you are a permanent resident, and one status supercedes the other. 

Therefore, I would suggest that you check with CIC how that would work before attempting to cross on a TRV after being given PR.  I think it is likely you would have to get the travel document in order to return to Canada under your PR status.

[Francis123]

I entered just fine, well with a few questions -mainly because we have 2 kids and they were not listed on my COPR so I think the agent was slightly confused -they are already Canadians - which is why they weren't listed... but I entered without issue over the Holiday weekend - July 2-5. I had landed in mid-May.

Are you sure this is the norm? When I landed and explained I wouldn't yet be living in Canada and would reenter Canada in August, the immigration officer said I had to apply for a one time entry visa if my PR card didn't come in time. Will they refuse me entrance if I only have COPR and a US passport?

[pinklady]

No probably not. I entered Canada from the US with just my UK passport and the COPR, had no issues at all.

[can_usa_97]

Are you sure this is the norm? When I landed and explained I wouldn't yet be living in Canada and would reenter Canada in August, the immigration officer said I had to apply for a one time entry visa if my PR card didn't come in time. Will they refuse me entrance if I only have COPR and a US passport?

I think it is the norm especially since when I did land, the IO asked me for a family members address in Canada, fully knowing I was NOT moving there, until later when our house sold - for the PR card to get sent to. Plus I too was worried about getting stuck in Canada or at the border for days while my family continued on our trip - we were afterall going to secure work so we could move. I think you will be fine.

[kelKel]

My husband also entered with just passport/COPR and no problems as well.  I'm not sure why they inform everyone including visa exempt people about the travel doc when its not necessary.