no time for application PRTD - not allowed to apply for ETA

[ellencanNL]

I tried applying for an ETA, but I was told I can not because I have been or still am a PR.

I live in the Netherlands and still qualify as a PR, but my card expired in 2014. Last year I just entered as a visitor. This year, I intended to do the same and applied for the ETA.

They say I have to apply for a PRTD but it takes 3-4 weeks to process and I fly in 2 weeks. I don't want to renounce my PR.

I am taking a holiday, I hold a European passport. Will they let me in the country with a refused ETA and PRTD? I have considered taking my application forms with me to try and apply at the border in Canada?

Any other options anyone can think of?

ellen

 

[Leon]

ETA is not a hard requirement until the fall. Why did you apply? Is this a requirement from the airline? If it is, show them this: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp

Until September 29, 2016, travellers who do not have an eTA can board their flight, as long as they have appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport.

Another option would have been to take a flight to the US and enter Canada by land but it sounds like you already bought the tickets.

 

[ellencanNL]

I applied because I thought only Canadian citizens were exempt and as I can't proof my PR status without a valid card, it seemed easier to enter as a visitor. (as I said that is what I did last summer)

I know there is a leniency for the ETA as a visitor. But now I feel like as a PR you never should come in as a visitor. So will they see me as a visitor who didn't apply for an ETA? Or see me as a PR who didn't apply for her travel document?

Besides I did apply for an ETA and will be refused one based on my status, so I am guessing they can see that at the border...

 

[Rob_TO]

I applied because I thought only Canadian citizens were exempt and as I can't proof my PR status without a valid card, it seemed easier to enter as a visitor. (as I said that is what I did last summer)

I know there is a leniency for the ETA as a visitor. But now I feel like as a PR you never should come in as a visitor. So will they see me as a visitor who didn't apply for an ETA? Or see me as a PR who didn't apply for her travel document?

Besides I did apply for an ETA and will be refused one based on my status, so I am guessing they can see that at the border...

The border (CBSA) doesn't care about any of this. As long as you're a PR in compliance with the RO, that is all they care about. They don't need your PR card, Travel Doc or eTA... they can simply see you're a PR in their system and will allow you entry based on that.

eTA and Travel Docs are mainly used just for the airline to be allowed boarding. eTA is not yet mandatory, and since you have a visa-exempt passport you should be able to board a plane based on that. Several people have done just this with no troubles very recently. This assumes travelers are still not flagged as PRs when checking in (system could potentially change at any time), and also you should not mention your PR status to the airline (you are posing to them as a visitor/foreign national).

 

[Bs65]

Ultimately although should be no issues actually enetering Canada still being PR with an expired PR the OP did not say if they stil met residency obligation which if living in NL maybe assume they have not maintained. So possibilty as always still exists CBSA may flag the OP for a RO review.

And of course post Sept 29 a PR will need either a valid card or a PRTD so this could be OPs last visit as a visitor without sorting out RO.

 

[ellencanNL]

Hi,
I meet the requirements for PR because I live in the Netherlands with my Canadian husband. I think that time counts towards residency requirements. I can travel with my marriage certificate to prove this at the border...
After this trip I will definitely sort everything out!
Thanks for the responses so far.