PR card expired, waiting for new, but need to travel, AND baby due in 2 months!

[Jarno]

Hello everyone, I am hoping for some urgent help and was so happy I found this forum! My PR card recently expired and although I have applied for a new one, I doubt it will be ready before my travel (on May 27th).

I need to travel for business to the Netherlands and US, and would technically not be allowed back into Canada with my expired PR card. However, it seems that I don’t have many options and we are expecting a baby to be born shortly after my return, so I am afraid to leave and not being able to get back in. The CIC website gives some options, but these will not really work for me.

- Applying for a PRTD (temporary travel document) will only work once outside the country, and I am only going to be at the same location for a maximum of 2 weeks, while the application processing takes at least 2-4 weeks.
- My ‘urgent’ PR application could possibly be processed while I am away, and my wife can just send it to me once it is in, but of course no guarantee this will work

Questions:
- Any other options for me to get back in?
- I can easily meet the RO for PR and I am Dutch, so I would be visa exempt. Most likely I will be able to board the plane with just my passport, correct? And if so, would the IO just let me in upon arrival in Canada, if I can provide proof that I applied for a new PR card already?

THANKS SO MUCH for any help and input; I am starting to get quite desperate!

 

[AJK_9]

Hello everyone, I am hoping for some urgent help and was so happy I found this forum! My PR card recently expired and although I have applied for a new one, I doubt it will be ready before my travel (on May 27th).

I need to travel for business to the Netherlands and US, and would technically not be allowed back into Canada with my expired PR card. However, it seems that I don’t have many options and we are expecting a baby to be born shortly after my return, so I am afraid to leave and not being able to get back in. The CIC website gives some options, but these will not really work for me.

- Applying for a PRTD (temporary travel document) will only work once outside the country, and I am only going to be at the same location for a maximum of 2 weeks, while the application processing takes at least 2-4 weeks.
- My ‘urgent’ PR application could possibly be processed while I am away, and my wife can just send it to me once it is in, but of course no guarantee this will work

Questions:
- Any other options for me to get back in?
- I can easily meet the RO for PR and I am Dutch, so I would be visa exempt. Most likely I will be able to board the plane with just my passport, correct? And if so, would the IO just let me in upon arrival in Canada, if I can provide proof that I applied for a new PR card already?

THANKS SO MUCH for any help and input; I am starting to get quite desperate!

Can u enter US with your visa exempt PP, if yes... Than come to US in return trip and enter via car to Canada with your Corp

 

[Jarno]

Can u enter US with your visa exempt PP, if yes... Than come to US in return trip and enter via car to Canada with your Corp

Thanks for your quick reaction, AJK_9!!

Yes, in fact, I would be traveling to the Netherlands first and from there to the USA for business. Are you sure I don't need a valid PR card when entering by car? And what information would I need instead?

 

[AJK_9]

Thanks for your quick reaction, AJK_9!!

Yes, in fact, I would be traveling to the Netherlands first and from there to the USA for business. Are you sure I don't need a valid PR card when entering by car? And what information would I need instead?

You just show Corp, for safe side, also keep your PR renewal documents with you, they may ask....

I visited US few times with Corp in my own car

All the best

 

[Rob_TO]

- I can easily meet the RO for PR and I am Dutch, so I would be visa exempt. Most likely I will be able to board the plane with just my passport, correct?

Yes most likely that would work. Just don't mention to the airline you're a PR, and instead you would check in using only your visa exempt passport.

And if so, would the IO just let me in upon arrival in Canada, if I can provide proof that I applied for a new PR card already?

Yes it's no problem at all once you are back in Canada. All you need to show is passport and COPR if you still have it, and CBSA can easily determine your PR status. No card is needed.

Note though you are really pushing your luck traveling within few months of your due date (unless the one that's pregnant is your partner who is not traveling!). Many airlines have strict rules on this so better check in advance, and make sure you have a doctors note. The later you get in pregnancy, the more trouble you may find trying to board at any given airport.
Also make sure you have valid travel medical insurance in the US that will cover pregnancy related expenses and in case of an early delivery. Remember as pregnancy is a pre-existing condition, many insurance companies won't cover this.

 

[dpenabill]

The PoE is not a problem. That is, actually entering Canada will not be a problem. Passport plus expired card, or passport plus the CoPR, should make it relatively easy. But just a passport ultimately should suffice. A Canadian PR is entitled to enter Canada, and a PR can be positively identified as such, usually, by just their passport.

Only issue is boarding a flight to Canada. The rule is that a PR must present a valid PR card or PR TD to board a flight. See admonition at top of IRCC webpage http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/about-pr.asp

During the eTA leniency period the leniency may extend to PRs with visa-exempt passports. Some here go so far as to assert there should be no problem. Obviously, however, there is always a risk the rules will be enforced (since that is supposed to be what happens), so there is no guarantee. Whether to rely on the PR rule not being enforced is a personal choice only the individual can make for himself or herself.

PRs who can travel back to Canada via the U.S., and then by private vehicle across the border, can take this route as an alternative.

 

[Jarno]

You just show Corp, for safe side, also keep your PR renewal documents with you, they may ask....

I visited US few times with Corp in my own car

All the best

Thanks AJK_9, this seems like the best idea then. Glad to hear it worked for you!

Yes most likely that would work. Just don't mention to the airline you're a PR, and instead you would check in using only your visa exempt passport.


Yes it's no problem at all once you are back in Canada. All you need to show is passport and COPR if you still have it, and CBSA can easily determine your PR status. No card is needed.

Note though you are really pushing your luck traveling within few months of your due date (unless the one that's pregnant is your partner who is not traveling!). Many airlines have strict rules on this so better check in advance, and make sure you have a doctors note. The later you get in pregnancy, the more trouble you may find trying to board at any given airport.
Also make sure you have valid travel medical insurance in the US that will cover pregnancy related expenses and in case of an early delivery. Remember as pregnancy is a pre-existing condition, many insurance companies won't cover this.

Rob_TO, thank you!!! what can I tell the airline? and what about the immigration officer in the US? I travel a lot and have 'PR' stamps all over my passport and they can easily see that. And will the US immigration officer not be difficult I have do not have a return flight to NL or Canada?

As for the pregnancy: luckily it is my wife! although you are technically right: I am pushing it, as I will be returning back to Edmonton less than a month before the due date.

The PoE is not a problem. That is, actually entering Canada will not be a problem. Passport plus expired card, or passport plus the CoPR, should make it relatively easy. But just a passport ultimately should suffice. A Canadian PR is entitled to enter Canada, and a PR can be positively identified as such, usually, by just their passport.

Only issue is boarding a flight to Canada. The rule is that a PR must present a valid PR card or PR TD to board a flight. See admonition at top of IRCC webpage

During the eTA leniency period the leniency may extend to PRs with visa-exempt passports. Some here go so far as to assert there should be no problem. Obviously, however, there is always a risk the rules will be enforced (since that is supposed to be what happens), so there is no guarantee. Whether to rely on the PR rule not being enforced is a personal choice only the individual can make for himself or herself.

PRs who can travel back to Canada via the U.S., and then by private vehicle across the border, can take this route as an alternative.

Thanks, dpenabill! Actually, from what this and the other comments sound like; entering Canada is not the difficult part, but getting on a plane in the Netherlands first (to the US) and then immigration in the US. What about leaving Canada? Don't I have to show my PR card then?