Expired PR Card Need Advice

[patrick37]

My wife is a French citizen(France), and I am a Canadian citizen. She has a permanent resident card but it is expired. We are legally married but living apart. She has lived in Canada since 1985, but recently visited France(in December). She wants to return to Canada but is afraid they will not let her board the plane, or re-enter Canada. She has a valid passport and proof of her years in Canada. Will she be allowed to board a plane and come back to Canada with an expired pr card? If not, will she be allowed to board a plane to the US from France, where I could meet her by car in Montana or Washington State(I live in Alberta)? Would Canadian immigration let her in at the US border, if we re entered by private vehicle?

 

[scylla]

She can't fly to Canada directly with an expired PR card. To fly to Canada, she needs either a valid PR card or PR Travel Document. Yes - she can fly to the US and enter Canada by land using a private vehicle. Since she has been outside of Canada for such a long time, it's possible she may be reported at the border for failing to meet the residency requirement. If this happens, she will have to appear at a hearing to argue why she should be allowed to keep her PR status and should expect to have it revoked given it's been so long since she's lived in Canada and the two of you are not living together.

 

[scylla]

****Sorry - just realized I misread your post***

She should be fine re-entering provided she meets the residency obligation (which it sounds like she does).

Rather than re-entering by car, she can also apply for a Travel Document from France and fly to Canada directly. This may be the better (easier) option. Processing of the TD could take 1-2 weeks (only downside).

 

[patrick37]

Thank you for your prompt response. I checked the documentation requirements to apply for a PRTD and there's quite a lot to provide. She has limited access to this documentation at the moment, so flying to the US may actually be an easier option in this case. Although we have been apart for a few years, we will be reuniting upon her return. So bringing a a copy of our marriage certificate may be a good idea if we decide to choose to enter by land via the US. I just don't want to encounter any snags at the border if we choose this option. And once back in Canada she could reapply for her PR card again.

 

[chhats]

Hi Syclla,

Thanks for your insightful responses. I am in a situation where I don't meet the residency obligation and reside in USA on a non-immigrant visa.
Me and my Wife went through 5 years of medical treatments to expand our family and our doctors have given us letters which can be used for H&C grounds
Here is my situation
1. Work for a HiTech company willing transfer to Toronto Canada
2. Still 8 months left on PR Card
3. Can I report myself at the Border that I dont meet RO to expdite my hearing,
4. Is Medical treatment a reason enough for H&C

Thanks for your response