Update - and More Questions on PR Card Renewal and Situation B Previous Post

[armoured]

Mentions multiple times that you need to be in Canada. Given your situation I would suggest reapplying for a PRTD and asking to be considered for a multiple entry PRTD as a spouse living with their Canadian partner abroad. Would explain that you don’t have plans too be back to Canada in the near future but want the option to visit. You would have to include the same proof of meeting RO based on living with your Canadian spouse abroad. This will allow you to enter Canada when you want and you won’t have to come to Canada to pick up your PR card and submit the application if it ends up being necessary and you’re required to reapply. If you decide to go the multiple entry PRTD route make sure to withdraw the PR card application. You don’t actually need a valid PR card. If you don’t have plans to visit Canada or move back then you actually don’t need a new PR card. You could also live abroad without a valid PR card. It is only a travel document so if not traveling to Canada there isn’t a need for a valid PR card.


https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...acement-renewal-change-gender-identifier.html

I do see your point but to quote from @EdinSC :

To be accurate the PRTD was issued on Dec. 4, 2024. It is good for one year. The visa was placed in her US passport and returned to us.

So: the PR has a PRTD that is still valid until Dec 2025. No hurry; there's no urgcncy. I'd say let this play out. It's possible they'll communicate a pick-up for PR card in Canada. There seems to be no risk the PR status is in question (PRTD issued on basis of living with a Canadian citizen abroad).

Even more so: the PR is a US citizen and travels with the US passport. No visa or PR card required to board a plane to Canada anyway. (The only issue could be that airlines sometimes don't know that - but they are wrong. I think that's manageable, just don't mention to airlines that one is a PR, don't show that visa page, they won't bother anyway).

If concerned: apply for a new PRTD (more or less as you suggest above) closer to December.

 

[shayankarim]

Absolutely agree with your assessment. As long as the PRTD is valid and the PR status was granted based on accompanying a Canadian citizen abroad, there's really no urgency. The key thing—as you noted—is that airline staff can sometimes misunderstand the rules, especially with U.S. passport holders who are also PRs.


I've seen cases where travelers faced unnecessary questioning because they mentioned PR status without having the card on hand. Best approach is to travel as a U.S. citizen entering visa-free, and only address PR if specifically asked by CBSA on arrival.


And yes, applying for a new PRTD closer to expiry is a solid backup plan. Always good to stay ahead, especially if future travel is expected.

 

[armoured]

Best approach is to travel as a U.S. citizen entering visa-free, and only address PR if specifically asked by CBSA on arrival.

I should have stated more explicity actually: in my view always best to state up-front to CBSA that one is a PR.

Granted with the scanner-machines at airports now I do not know how they are handled (which box to tick), but will still suggest putting PR if possible.

[As far as I understand there may not be an explicity requirement under law that a PR self-identify as a PR* at border crossing (as I think is case in USA), but I believe this can annoy CBSA and I don't think that's advisable.]

*Or indeed citizen/citizen

 

[EdinSC]

Thank you for all of your input. Right now we have a web form in seeking clarification on the application status and will see what response we get.

Other than that we will ride it out for a while to see what happens with the application.

 

[shayankarim]

I should have stated more explicity actually: in my view always best to state up-front to CBSA that one is a PR.

Granted with the scanner-machines at airports now I do not know how they are handled (which box to tick), but will still suggest putting PR if possible.

[As far as I understand there may not be an explicity requirement under law that a PR self-identify as a PR* at border crossing (as I think is case in USA), but I believe this can annoy CBSA and I don't think that's advisable.]

*Or indeed citizen/citizen

Thanks for clarifying — that's a fair point, and I agree it's generally wise not to create any confusion with CBSA.
if the traveler is entering on a valid visa-exempt passport (like a U.S. one) and PR status is linked to accompanying a Canadian citizen abroad, CBSA often doesn’t press too hard unless something raises a flag. That said, I agree it’s smart to be upfront about PR status once at the border, especially if directly asked. Transparency definitely goes a long way.


I just caution against volunteering PR status to airline staff unless necessary, since they’re often unfamiliar with PR travel nuances and might mistakenly deny boarding.


But yes, for CBSA — better to be direct and clear about PR status when it comes up. No need to test patience at the border!