Toronto Star Article - why it is important to "just visit"

[truesmile]

Right, it's not CBSA's job to determine the final outcome here.

Exactly!

And no, she shouldn't have to carry copies of every page of my passport. She has a valid PR card after all, and that's what the heck it's for . . . To travel and re-enter Canada with.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

And no, she shouldn't have to carry copies of every page of my passport. She has a valid PR card after all, and that's what the heck it's for . . . To travel and re-enter Canada with.

I didn't say every page, just the ones with the stamps relevant to that trip. And yes, she should have to carry whatever proofs she needs to in order to prove to CBSA that she meets the RO. RO examination on entry is simply a condition of being a PR. If she chose not to carry such proofs, ended up being questioned and CBSA wasn't satisfied, then she would be referred to CIC for a hearing in order to prove that she met the RO. It just seems so much smarter to carry the proofs in the first place rather than to risk going through a hearing.

As for having a PR card to re-enter Canada, that's not it's purpose. It is needed for a non visa-exempt person to board the commercial carrier in order to come to Canada but isn't needed to officially enter Canada, as CBSA can look up PR status in their system.

 

[truesmile]

Well that would be impossible on occasions that we traveled on the same day, but on differing flights (which has also happened to us). You can't copy a stamp that's not there yet. But that's okay we're good, we got it covered.

 

[Rob_TO]

Exactly!

And no, she shouldn't have to carry copies of every page of my passport. She has a valid PR card after all, and that's what the heck it's for . . . To travel and re-enter Canada with.

A PR card come with certain obligations. It is NOT the same as a passport.

A common question from the CBSA officer is "how long have you been away from Canada". If the PR answers several years, and doesn't have proof on hand of living with the Canadian citizen sponsor, then in most cases the CBSA officer should simply report them and have CIC schedule a hearing. Let CIC figure out the details.

If someone doesn't want to be reported after staying outside Canada for extended period, they need to make the effort to carry sufficient proof to convince the border guard they meet RO.