Travel with PR Landing Papers

[kkc]

Hi, I'm an Indian National who will be entering Canada as a PR with landing papers from India. Immediately upon arrival, I'm planning to visit my Sister who lives in the US (Boston). I hope to spend about 3-4 days there and return back.
My questions -->
Would I be able to travel to the US without my Canadian PR card and enter back? Should I get a PRTD (?) to enter back to Canada? Is there any other procedure for it?
Also, Is it an issue traveling to the US w.r.t US immigration rejecting my B-2 visa on the grounds of not having sufficient documents like job offer, rental agreement etc. in Canada (I lived/worked in the US for 6 years and moved to India 3 years ago without any immigration problems)
Please someone help me with this. Thanks!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Would I be able to travel to the US without my Canadian PR card and enter back? Should I get a PRTD (?) to enter back to Canada? Is there any other procedure for it?
Also, Is it an issue traveling to the US w.r.t US immigration rejecting my B-2 visa on the grounds of not having sufficient documents like job offer, rental agreement etc. in Canada

It depends on how you are planning to get to and from Boston. If you are flying, the airline will require a TRV, PR card or PRTD for you to even board the plane back to Canada. However, PRTD applications usually take at least a few weeks, you would be required to stay in the US during that time. If you are driving across the border, you'll be fine to just carry your landing papers.

I can't comment on the US side but I doubt they'd give you any problems when you show that you've just become a PR in Canada. It doesn't make much sense to go through the whole process to get Canadian PR only to immediately go try to live in the US.

 

[kkc]

I was hoping that I could drive to Boston and back. My concern was whether non visa exempt country citizens could actually drive back into Canada after completing the landing procedure; wish to get more clarity on that issue.
Anyways, your response was very helpful. Thanks a lot for the information!

 

[esbex550]

I was hoping that I could drive to Boston and back. My concern was whether non visa exempt country citizens could actually drive back into Canada after completing the landing procedure; wish to get more clarity on that issue.
Anyways, your response was very helpful. Thanks a lot for the information!

my cousin did the similar thing. He landed at pearson airport & filled up the PR card form. next day, he filled up his OHIP form & opened a bank account. The day after, he drove down to New Jersey to attend a family wedding & stayed there for a week. While coming back, he showed the Canadian Border Security guys his required forms & they allowed him to enter through Niagara Falls.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I was hoping that I could drive to Boston and back. My concern was whether non visa exempt country citizens could actually drive back into Canada after completing the landing procedure; wish to get more clarity on that issue.
Anyways, your response was very helpful. Thanks a lot for the information!

Yes, any PR, visa-exempt or non visa-exempt, can drive across the Canada-US border without a PR card, using just the landing papers. You'll have no trouble.

 

[kkc]

Great! Thanks a ton for the responses

 

[xylene]

I have driven across the border (Canada to US) and back with my landing paper and passport.
For the US side you need to be either from a visa exempt country or have the required visa to cross the border.

As long as you are crossing the border via road (read personal vehicle/rented vehicle) you would just need the landing paper to cross back. However if you are taking the bus which is a commercial vehicle you would need the PR card to get back to Canada.

 

[djmani]

Okay I can confirm that one can travel to US and back on passport and COPR document. I did it today and everything went very smoothly without any issue.

In my case I am yet to receive PR cards (got delayed due to photo requested).
But after going to so many blogs and consulting an officer before entering the border, I took the step and crossed the border with my family. Entering into US was smooth, since it was our 1st entry after 6 month into US, we had to go in and get the stamp and the officer attached I94A to the passport, took 6 USD fees per passport for the same. The I94A is valid for 6 months.

Upon return we showed our passports and COPR, the officer simply accepted the same and provided us entry without any problems. Though regular questions (like where you went? How long did you stay? What did you buy?) were asked like the way it is.

So if you have PR and not received PR card yet, have US visa you can easily visit US via road (private vehicles only, no commercial bus or limos). The process is very simple and smooth. But on a safer side before entering US, stop near Canadian border and consult an officer for making yourself safe and secure (who knows they might change the rules anytime).

 

[Shruty]

Okay I can confirm that one can travel to US and back on passport and COPR document. I did it today and everything went very smoothly without any issue.

In my case I am yet to receive PR cards (got delayed due to photo requested).
But after going to so many blogs and consulting an officer before entering the border, I took the step and crossed the border with my family. Entering into US was smooth, since it was our 1st entry after 6 month into US, we had to go in and get the stamp and the officer attached I94A to the passport, took 6 USD fees per passport for the same. The I94A is valid for 6 months.

Upon return we showed our passports and COPR, the officer simply accepted the same and provided us entry without any problems. Though regular questions (like where you went? How long did you stay? What did you buy?) were asked like the way it is.

So if you have PR and not received PR card yet, have US visa you can easily visit US via road (private vehicles only, no commercial bus or limos). The process is very simple and smooth. But on a safer side before entering US, stop near Canadian border and consult an officer for making yourself safe and secure (who knows they might change the rules anytime).

Hello, your response is helpful. I'm awaiting my Canada CoPR and also have US valid B1/B2 visa. Provided everything goes well, I'm planning to fly to San Francisco for a visit (again depending on this pandemic situation), will I be able to do so? Or will I need any additional documentation?

 

[scylla]

Hello, your response is helpful. I'm awaiting my Canada CoPR and also have US valid B1/B2 visa. Provided everything goes well, I'm planning to fly to San Francisco for a visit (again depending on this pandemic situation), will I be able to do so? Or will I need any additional documentation?

You should have no issues flying to the US. In order to return by air to Canada, you will need either a valid PR card or a PR Travel Document. You cannot use your COPR for this purpose.

 

[Shruty]

You should have no issues flying to the US. In order to return by air to Canada, you will need either a valid PR card or a PR Travel Document. You cannot use your COPR for this purpose.

This helps for my planning. Thank you for your quick revert.

 

[Shruty]

Hello, my PR is confirmed and have booked my flight from Bengaluru to Toronto. But because of family emergency I'll have to travel to USA (have valid B2 visa) asap and then make it to Toronto as I'm unable to reschedule to an early date. Please confirm if I can still land as a PR via this route. Thank you!

 

[scylla]

Hello, my PR is confirmed and have booked my flight from Bengaluru to Toronto. But because of family emergency I'll have to travel to USA (have valid B2 visa) asap and then make it to Toronto as I'm unable to reschedule to an early date. Please confirm if I can still land as a PR via this route. Thank you!

Yes, that's fine. No issues.

 

[Shruty]

Yes, that's fine. No issues.

Thank you Scylla!