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Expired PR Card - Requested Urgent Renewal w/ Travel Documentation in process

JG777

Newbie
Apr 10, 2012
1
0
Hi. My PR card expired at the end of the year; I hadn't renewed it as I'm working on my citizenship application and didn't anticipate leaving Canada prior to applying. Since then, my a major family function was planned in Florida (I've retained U.S. citizenship and have a valid U.S. passport) and I've booked a roundtrip flight on Air Canada between Toronto and my U.S. destination, and my Canadian Citizen spouse (who originally sponsored me for PR) will be accompanying me.

I quite recently submitted my PR Card Renewal application, marked urgent and with documentation of my travel plans, per the CIC website instructions. My application was received on 2 April and is being processed as of 4 April, but today I had to provide via facsimile another copy of a form of ID I had submitted as the one I'd previously provided has now expired. I'm doubtful I'll receive my new PR card prior to my scheduled departure this Friday morning. My planned return is next Monday, and I don't see how I could get a travel document in time from my U.S. destination, given the closest Canadian Visa office listed is in Washington, D.C.

I'd really like some informed opinion as to any issues in my returning to Canada. I've been absent from Canada well less than 100 days in the past five years I've resided in Canada, and during that time only travelled to the U.S. either to visit family and/or to accompany my spouse a trip. Along with my spouse, I own a home and have a full-time job in the Toronto area, and my spouse's family lives in Ontario. Is the foregoing sufficient to establish my continued residency in Canada and prevent either being denied boarding my flight at the airport in Florida or passing through Customs & Immigration at the airport in Toronto?
 

Leon

VIP Member
Jun 13, 2008
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When you board the plane in Florida, you don't even mention being a Canadian PR. Just flash your US passport and you are in. US citizens are visa exempt to Canada so the airline know they will not be in trouble for boarding you.

When you arrive at the immigration counter, if you still have your expired PR card, you can show it although I assume that you sent it in when you applied to renew. What you can bring instead would be your landing papers, your original passport that had the PR visa in it if that is not the one you still use, any evidence you have of having applied to renew your PR card, copy of your old PR card if you have one. It is very very very unlikely that you will have problems entering with even just the landing papers, let alone some or all the other stuff plus your Canadian spouse at your side.

Travel documents are mainly just needed for the airlines to let you board if you are not visa exempt. If you are visa exempt, you don't need one.