+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445
Client Portal

PR Card Renewal and Travelling to the States. Please Help

A

ayes05

Newbie
Jan 16, 2017
8
0
Hey guys,
Not sure if a similar question has been asked but I'm in a pickle and need some help.

My permanent resident card has expired and I'm in the process of renewing it this week. However, I have a best friends wedding that I need to attend in Los Angeles at the beginning of march.

I've checked processing times and know that the likelihood of me receiving my new card are slim to none by then. From what I've gathered online, I believe I should have no problem entering the United States but the problem is coming back into Canada.

I'm just wondering what my options are in case I don't receive my card on time. I've read that there is a visa office in LA that can issue me some sort of permit to return home. However I'm not sure what the processing time is for that, given that I only plan to stay in LA for 4 days. Would it be a simple, walk in and walk out with whatever i need type of visit?

I've also read that it doesn't seem to be an issue if crossing the border by a private vehicle. So my second question is, would it be possible to drive over the border to buffalo (close to home) and fly out of there. Return to Buffalo. And then return to Canada by private vehicle once again. Would this be an option?

Basically I am just wondering if this trip is now ruined because of my laziness to renew the card earlier.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
 
Yes, private vehicle travel is perfectly fine. Just have your passport and expired PR card or COPR.
 
Sorry if there is an obvious answer to this question, but how would i obtain a COPR? Would I receive one upon renewing the PR card?
Thank you for your very quick response, as this has been stressing me out all day! So you dont foresee any issues regarding the expired PR card at either airports in the US? Once again thanks for the help.
 
Sorry one thing to add to that last question, I have my record of landing. Are those the same?
 
Sorry, i should have mentioned that, I have a Portuguese Passport. It has never given me any issues in terms of traveling to the states, usually just had to get a green card if driving or fill out an ESTA application for flying.
 
Driving across will be no problem. Your passport alone is sufficient to get you into Canada again.
 
Bring your passport, your expired PR card and your landing papers with you and cross by private vehicle.

Bring along a copy of your PR Renewal application if you have it to show that you have applied to renew it. You shouldn't have too much trouble
 
Thanks so much for all your help guys! So, it seems that my best route would be to fly out of Buffalo then to avoid any issues? If I was to fly out of Toronto and attempt to come back would there be any problems?
 
ayes05 said:
Thanks so much for all your help guys! So, it seems that my best route would be to fly out of Buffalo then to avoid any issues? If I was to fly out of Toronto and attempt to come back would there be any problems?
Click to expand...

You would not be allowed to board the place back to Canada without a valid PR card or a PRTD.
 
Buffalo option it is then. Thanks for the fast responses everybody. So as long as I have my expired pr card, record of landing, and passport, I should be able to land in Buffalo and get back into Canada correct? Lol.
 
ayes05 said:
Buffalo option it is then. Thanks for the fast responses everybody. So as long as I have my expired pr card, record of landing, and passport, I should be able to land in Buffalo and get back into Canada correct? Lol.
Click to expand...

You can leave the Record of Landing at home. Your passport and expired PR card will be sufficient for entry.
 
Hello everyone,

Just forgot to ask one more question from this thread a few days ago. If I was to fly out of Buffalo and return to Buffalo with my expired pr card, would the airline give me any grief for the expired card or would it not matter given that I'm not landing in Canada? Once again thank you every one for the help.
 
ayes05 said:
Hello everyone,

Just forgot to ask one more question from this thread a few days ago. If I was to fly out of Buffalo and return to Buffalo with my expired pr card, would the airline give me any grief for the expired card or would it not matter given that I'm not landing in Canada? Once again thank you every one for the help.
Click to expand...

They aren't even going to ask for a PR card since you aren't flying to Canada.
 
Would they just want to see my Portuguese passport and my boarding ticket then? Sorry the all of these questions, never flown out of the US, especially with an expired pr card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.