how can i get a travel document while in canada

[hosam]

Hi ,



I am landed immigrant who is waiting for my PRC . for some unexpected matters I have to travel to the USA within few days i.e. before receiving my PRC . I have some doubts that I might not be allowed to enter the USA . in that case , as I dont have a travel document to re-enter canada , (just my landing papers ) , can I re-enter canada if i wasnt allowed to the USA ? or I will be stuck between the 2 countries? also would it make a diffrence if i use the air or by land ? should i apply for travel document while in canada ?

 

[Karlshammar]

You cannot apply for a travel document within Canada. In Canada you can only apply for a PR card, and abroad you can only apply for a travel document.

The Canadian border agents will always let you in, even without your PR card. If you use commercial travel, like an airplane, the airline may or may not let you board without a PR card. They have the legal right to refuse you if you do not have a PR card, even if you have your COPR.

Someone on this forum recently posted that he managed to board a flight with just his COPR, but it is not guaranteed, and the gov't recommends against it.

If you travel in your own car you will definitely get in without a PR card.

 

[Suin]

actually US citizens do not need visa to enter Canada, I think there will not be any problem for you to return back even by air just having COPR.

 

[Karlshammar]

Yeah, good point!

actually US citizens do not need visa to enter Canada, I think there will not be any problem for you to return back even by air just having COPR.

 

[OrangeCounty]

What about non-US citizens who have just a valid US visa? Can they drive through to Canada with just COPR and no PR card?

 

[Karlshammar]

Yes. Once you are a PR you have right of entry and your status in any country other than Canada ceases to matter. If you drive up there with your passport and COPR you will be let in as long as your PR status is still valid.

What about non-US citizens who have just a valid US visa? Can they drive through to Canada with just COPR and no PR card?

 

[Suin]

What about non-US citizens who have just a valid US visa? Can they drive through to Canada with just COPR and no PR card?

you can enter Canada by land without any problem just having COPR, but to enter Canada by air you need TRV.

 

[Karlshammar]

Well, you can't get a TRV if you are a PR. You have to get a travel document.

You can also take the risk that the airline will let you board with just a COPR, and if they do you are fine, but it is a potentially expensive risk to take...

you can enter Canada by land without any problem just having COPR, but to enter Canada by air you need TRV.

 

[Suin]

What about non-US citizens who have just a valid US visa? Can they drive through to Canada with just COPR and no PR card?

as was told at the border, you can enter Canada using COPR by land, but by air, you need a visitors visa to enter Canada, as just having COPR is not enough. that's why it's recommended not to travel until the actual PR card is received.
if you have to leave Canada before you receive your PR, you need to apply for a visitor's visa in your visa office and based on COPR you will be granted it right away.

 

[Karlshammar]

A PR needs a travel document, not a visitor's visa, to enter Canada...

 

[PMM]

Hi

as was told at the border, you can enter Canada using COPR by land, but by air, you need a visitors visa to enter Canada, as just having COPR is not enough. that's why it's recommended not to travel until the actual PR card is received.
if you have to leave Canada before you receive your PR, you need to apply for a visitor's visa in your visa office and based on COPR you will be granted it right away.

1. Who ever told you that, doesn't have a clue. PRs are PRs they can't be issued visitor visas.

PMM

 

[Suin]

that's really strange, as I was told this on the port of entry, while landing - I just asked him what I need to do if I have to leave Canada before PR card will arrive and got that answer. maybe he mixed something... at least I know now that it was not correct.

 

[Karlshammar]

He most likely meant a travel document, not a visitor visa. They will issue you a travel document; that is what PRs abroad get if they do not have a PR card.

that's really strange, as I was told this on the port of entry, while landing - I just asked him what I need to do if I have to leave Canada before PR card will arrive and got that answer. maybe he mixed something... at least I know now that it was not correct.

 

[Suin]

thank you for your answer, Karlshammar.

I found one useful link related to this on cic, it might help in understanding too:

cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/pr-card/pr-card-faq12.asp

 

[Karlshammar]

Thanks for the link, Suin.

Last time I entered by land I showed my passport. I had my COPR with me but never showed it, since the officer didn't ask. I got through with no issues.

The immigration officer who landed me told me that you do not need a PR card to cross the border, ever; the limitation is imposed by the commercial carriers, not by the border officers. If you manage to make it to the border with your COPR you will always be admitted, no matter what your mode of transportation is.