Travelling using Passport from Country of Origin

[csip]

I’ve been a permanent resident for over 10 years now.

All of my previous travels to my origin country (U.S.A.) have been done using the passport from my origin country to go home and my PR card when I return to Canada.

I applied for a new PR card several months ago (I checked the status of my application, and it says that they either haven’t received it or haven’t started processing it yet) and my most recent card is now expired.

I may be required to travel for work in the very near future (as early as 2 weeks from now) and the country I will be flying to is not my origin country.

When returning to Canada, how much of a hassle will there be if I go through customs as a non-citizen/non-resident using my passport?

Would it be in my best interest to apply in advance for a travel document (IMM 5529)?

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information on some options that may be available to you in our Settlement.Org Do I really need a PR card to travel back to Canada? article.

In terms of applying for a Travel Document, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document from a Canadian visa office abroad.

You can also find some detailed information on the CIC Website.

Here is an excerpt,

If you plan to return in a commercial vehicle, like a plane or bus

If you plan to return to Canada in a commercial vehicle — such as a plane, train, boat or bus — you must apply for a travel document at a visa office outside Canada before you return to Canada.

You should also check with the commercial operator (for example, the airline or bus company you will be using) to see what documents they need.

If you return in a private vehicle, like your own car

If you return to Canada in a private vehicle, such as your own car, you do not need a PR card. You can use your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) instead.

You would have been given these documents:

-if you applied from overseas: at the same time as your visa, or
-if you applied from within Canada at your local visa office when you landed.

An officer will ask you questions to make sure you meet all of the residency requirements before they allow you to come back to Canada.

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
Settlement.Org