Hi, I have been a landed immigrant since I was 10 years old. My mother brought me to Canada from the U.S after she married my step father who was Canadian. Now I am married and we want to do some travelling but I can not get a straight answer from anyone as to what I need to get across to the states and then to get back to Canada. Can anyone help me? Please. Very confused.
Landed immigrant for more than 40 years. Need papers to travel. Can anyone help
- Thread starter Cindy Regier
- Start date
Cindy Regier said:
Do you have proof you landed 40 years ago? Normally landed immigrant who do not possess a PR card travel to the US by road and return with their landing documents called COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Resident). This document helps Canadian officers at the port of entry to verify your immigration status in Canada. If you do not have it, you can still travel and return, but I can see you waiting a very long time at the border until officers can verify your immigration status in Canada. Take with you anything that can help speed up the process. Once they verify your identity and status you will be allowed in. Only other issue that you might face is if they verify your immigration status (which you are a permanent resident) but suspect that you do not meet the residency requirements (which you do because you have not left Canada in the past 5 years) then they will allow you to enter and report you at the same time. Reporting you mean you have 1 month to respond and prove you meet the residency requirements (which is that you have resided in Canada for at least 730 days in the past 5 years).
In my opinion, I dont think you will have any issues going and returning with your US passport without any other documents. Make sure when you arrive at the port of entry in Canada that you tell them you are a permanent resident. Do not try to seek entry as a visitor from the US.
Yes, I have a landed immigrant card. Do I have to have a U.S passport to get into the states, because I don't. If so, what steps do I have to take to acquire one?
Cindy Regier said:
Yes you need a passport to travel to the states and back to Canada. However, technically both countries cannot deny you entry once they establish your identity and status. Save yourself time and questioning and get a US passport. Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for procedure.