Hi
I apoligize if I am repeating the same question, but I really need a confirmed answer to my query.
I am an iraqi citizen holding a PR card (since June 2010), my Iraqi passport will be replaced by a Saudi passport (I will be granted the Saudi nationality because my mother is Saudi), Saudi authorities will withdraw my Iraqi passport, ie I will not be able to present the Iraqi passport anymore when I next enter Canada.
Will I be able to enter Canada with my new Saudi passport although it is still mentioned that i am iraqi in my PR card?
What do I have to do, shall I write to immigration before I next enter Canada, notifying them of my new nationalty/passport status?
I may have an option of entering Canada for a last time holding my Iraqi passport where I can visit the immigration office there and notify them of my case.
Please let me know what the best solution would be.
Many thanks.
While entering a BSO would like to check your 'identity' & your 'current status in Canada' -- if u r carrying your PR card, both of which could be established. However, with the present security situation - they would also like to see that u r carrying a 'valid' passport... since u r carrying one - the 'new' Saudi passport - u should be fine.
Remember: The story of our previous passport/nationality ends with having the 'landed immigrant status' - so is the story of the 'single-entry' PR visa, which was stamped in the earlier passport [your Iraqi one]. So, as long as u have 'a passport' from 'a legitimate country', u r good. It'd have been another matter if u were carrying a passport of a 'failed state', eg. Somalia -- whose passports r no longer 'recognized' by most nations - Canada included.
Nonetheless, as
Leon suggested, it'd be wise to have a copy of the Iraqi passport on u, alongwith the pages where the previous PR visa was pasted AND the one where the Canadian entry was stamped [while 'landing']... just in case there were queries.
I'd further advise u to get a 'stamp' from the Saudi Immigration & Naturalization Dept., on a page of this/their new passport stating,
"The holder of this passport had previously travelled on an Iraqi passport, which contained Canadian Visa". - this would mitigate any ambiguities in the future.
Furthermore, if u could also have these copies [the Iraqi passport's] notarized, it'd do u good... not to mention that if this notarization was done in Canada - that much the better!
Now comes two headaches that u further might be facing:
1. While embarking from an overseas port - the airline staff would like to see your Canadian visa[?]... given that they'd not be sure [sometimes] about the PR cards - especially while a third party airport contractor is involved [eg. DNATA of Dubai] - in the absence of Air Canada or BA or KLM etc. staff [who r aware of the procedures]. This might be a small hiccup... but can be overcome by showing the above copies & thru their telecall to their 'more aware' higher-ups [they'd do it themselves]!
2. While applying for your Citizenship [Canadian], u'd be required to elaborate/demonstrate your 1095 days... that might require u to Xcheck your entry/exit stamps... for which u might need copies of your old Iraqi passport [thus the need of making those copies]. Besides, the Citizenship Officer [before the Citizenship Judge] might raise red-flags for non submission of the 'correct' passport [for which that 'stamp' of the Saudi Immigration & Naturalization Dept. might become quite handy].
Notwithstanding the above, for your this trip, to Canada, u should be fine with your PR card & the KSA passport.That's my opinion...
Qorax
Immigration Forum
