Coming Back via Private Vehicle without PR card

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I’m currently in Buffalo, New York and just lost my PR card.

I need to come back to Ontario urgently this weekend.

I only have the Ontario health card, the original landing paper, and the original single entry immigration visa.

Will the officers at Canada customs allow me to enter if I come from Buffalo using private vehicle?

If that’s not possible, is there a number I can call to seek assistance?

Thank you very much.

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello there,

Thank you for sharing your question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation.

In terms of re-entering Canada, you can find some information on the IRCC website in the I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada? section.

Here is an excerpt,

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.

Returning by private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to enter the country.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent, and that is not available for public use.

Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat

You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), valid for one entry. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You may want to try and contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre directly. Some of our users have reported that they have been able to contact CIC recently from abroad by dialing 1 613 944 4000 (M-F). Listen to the options to get to IRCC.

Long distance charges will apply.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS,CRS
Settlement.Org

[lavaboom]

@Moderator

There are other documents you can use to enter the country.

Hi Anna,

Thank you for your response. I see that the “Other acceptable documents to support identity” section includes the “Provincial health insurance card”, which I have. But will that be enough? I’m a bit concerned because they didn’t include it in the “Acceptable documents to denote identity” instead.

I’m concerned that if the Canada border turns me away, when I come back to the US side, they may find me suspicious and deport me (with a bad record with it).

I’m trying to reach an agent via both domestic (1-888-242-2100) and oversea (1 613 944 4000) numbers, but both lines are engaged. If anyone knows of other numbers that I can try, please let me know!

Thanks again Anna.

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello there,

You are very welcome.

Regarding your question, unfortunately, since there are no guarantees as to how the process will transpire, we are unable to provide a definitive response.

However, you can find some very helpful general information regarding what the process is in these types of situations in the IRCC ENF 4 Port of entry examinations Operations Manual.

Here are some excerpts,

11.3 Establishing permanent resident status without documents


Border services officers at POEs have the discretion to authorize the entry of permanent residents, even in the absence of documentation. If documentary evidence is not available, the border services officer at Immigration Secondary must establish the person’s permanent
resident status by questioning the person and checking the person’s status in GCMS. The status of persons who became permanent residents before 1973 has to be verified by contacting the Operations Support Centre at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s National Headquarters at OSC-CSO@cic.gc.ca.

Once the border services officer is satisfied that a person is a permanent resident, the examination should be concluded and the person allowed to enter Canada without delay.

and

11.4 Investigating permanent residents for inadmissibility

When a permanent resident appears at a POE for examination, the border services officer must determine whether the person is a permanent resident. BSOs must remain cognizant of the fact that s.19(2) of the Act gives permanent residents of Canada the right to enter Canada at a POE once it is established that a person is a permanent resident, regardless of non-compliance with the residency obligation in A28 or the presence of other inadmissibilities. BSOs can refuse entry to a permanent resident only when the person has already lost the status in accordance with the provisions of A46 (such as when a final determination has been made outside of Canada that the permanent resident has failed to comply with the residency obligations, or when a removal order comes into force). In other words, once a permanent resident’s status is established, the person may enter Canada by right, and the BSO should conclude the immigration examination under IRPA.

However, as per s.27(1), this right to enter and remain in Canada is subject to the provisions of the Act, and does not preclude the CBSA from ensuring that permanent residents are in compliance with IRPA and thus admissible to Canada. During the process of determining that a
person is a permanent resident, BSOs will sometimes become aware of evidence of inadmissibility. In such cases, the BSO may refer the individual to Immigration Secondary to ask additional questions to determine if the permanent resident is in compliance with IRPA. The BSO should explain to the person that while it has been established that they have a right to enter Canada, there is some reason to believe they could be the subject of a report under IRPA which could lead to the issuance of a removal order. At this point, the examination remains ongoing and the permanent resident must answer truthfully all questions put forward for the purposes of the examination as per A16(1), A18(1), and R37.
Officers should always remain aware of the principles of procedural fairness in these proceedings. The permanent resident must be given a fair opportunity to know the case to be met; to provide evidence in order to correct or contradict any concerns related to admissibility; and to have the evidence fully and fairly considered by the decision-maker.

and

11.14 Other inadmissibility allegations


If a border services officer believes a permanent resident is inadmissible for reasons other than failure to comply with the residency obligation, they are still required to allow the person to come into Canada. A border services officer at Immigration Secondary should attempt to obtain sufficient information (including current address, phone number, and employment location) to enable follow-up action from an inland office in the event an investigation ensues.

Regarding contacting IRCC, it is possible to get through the IRCC line. Unfortunately, you just have to keep trying.

Some have commented that they have been able to get through by dialing right at 8am.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS,CRS
Settlement.Org