Traveling to Canada with COPR without landing

[expatgoingback]

Does anyone know if it's possible to visit Canada with a COPR without officially landing? We have plans to travel to Canada and then head on a 10 day vacation with more family before returning to Canada. My wife and kids have COPR. I'm concerned because if they land when we first arrive in Canada they'll be considered PRs but won't have PR cards and subsequently wouldn't be able to go on the vacation and return to Canada.

 

[DimT44]

Does anyone know if it's possible to visit Canada with a COPR without officially landing? We have plans to travel to Canada and then head on a 10 day vacation with more family before returning to Canada. My wife and kids have COPR. I'm concerned because if they land when we first arrive in Canada they'll be considered PRs but won't have PR cards and subsequently wouldn't be able to go on the vacation and return to Canada.

I think that won’t be possible, but I’m following to see what others have to say.

 

[scylla]

Does anyone know if it's possible to visit Canada with a COPR without officially landing? We have plans to travel to Canada and then head on a 10 day vacation with more family before returning to Canada. My wife and kids have COPR. I'm concerned because if they land when we first arrive in Canada they'll be considered PRs but won't have PR cards and subsequently wouldn't be able to go on the vacation and return to Canada.

This was possbile pre-COVID (assuming those traveling had valid eTAs or TRVs). I don't know if it's possible now or if something has changed.

 

[armoured]

Only recent I've heard of was someone who did this at a land border - which I don't think helps you in that your concern is about entering by air, I think. (Where who knows because what's in the computers might take precedence, and then relationship to ETA or visa or etc)

So easiest for relative certainty would be to return by land (eg take flight to nearest airport in USA), but obviously not ideal. You could try CBSA but not sure they'd know enough to be certain.

 

[expatgoingback]

Thanks @armoured and @scylla . Any idea if there would be an issue with them entering with their secondary passports when arriving the first time and then using the primary ones to land upon return from vacation?

 

[scylla]

Thanks @armoured and @scylla . Any idea if there would be an issue with them entering with their secondary passports when arriving the first time and then using the primary ones to land upon return from vacation?

Do they have eTAs or TRVs associated with their secondary passports? Not sure where they are from...

 

[expatgoingback]

Do they have eTAs or TRVs associated with their secondary passports? Not sure where they are from...

The secondary passports are Italian without eTAs.

 

[canuck78]

The secondary passports are Italian without eTAs.

They would need to get ETAs

 

[scylla]

The secondary passports are Italian without eTAs.

They need eTAs to be able to travel. They can't travel on the passports alone.

 

[expatgoingback]

Thanks. Is there anything wrong with doing that? Will it be frowned upon?

 

[scylla]

Thanks. Is there anything wrong with doing that? Will it be frowned upon?

I don't see an issue as long as they can obtain the eTAs.

 

[expatgoingback]

I don't see an issue as long as they can obtain the eTAs.

Thank you.

 

[MJSPARV]

You could try CBSA but not sure they'd know enough to be certain.

CBSA would almost certainly know if this is permissible or not as they'd be the ones deciding at the border if it's ok or not... OP could try calling CBSA (suggest calling a specific POE) and asking. I've had good luck with asking CBSA for clarification on a couple different things and have found they generally like to be sure that people know what's ok and what's not before arriving at a border crossing.