Stu Barton

I have also received this response from the Canadian Consulate in Los
Angles:

PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF CANADA WHO DO NOT HAVE AN IMM1000, VALID RETURNING
RESIDENT PERMIT OR A PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD:

If you are outside Canada and do not have any Canadian immigration document
to demonstrate your permanent residence status, you may contact a visa
office outside Canada and apply for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident
Abroad). The visa office will then start the process for evaluation of your
status and determination of whether you have conformed with the residency
obligations. If it is established that you were at any time a permanent
resident of Canada and you meet the requirements of the residency
obligation, you will be issued a Travel Document counterfoil in your
passport to enable your travel back to Canada. If you do not meet the
requirements of the residency obligation, your application may be refused
after consideration of all connected factors.

PLEASE NOTE THAT:

You must be outside Canada in order to apply for a travel document to return
to Canada. You cannot apply prior to leaving Canada. The processing time may
take up to 15 working days depending on how busy we are in this office.

Your options are as follows:

1) Postpone your trip until you have received your permanent resident
card.

2) While you are outside Canada, apply for a travel document in person
or by mail in one of the visa offices abroad.

3) Arrange your travel so that you can drive across the border back to
Canada. If you choose option # 3, you would not need a permanent resident
card or travel document in order to enter Canada, as the officer at the
border would make the determination regarding your permanent resident status
on the spot. (A permanent resident card or travel document is only necessary
after December 31, 2003 if you will be travelling to Canada via commercial
carrier, i.e. plane, train, bus or boat.)

The problem is not what will happen when you arrive at the airport in Canada

after your trip. The problem is that the airline personnel may not let you
even board the plane back to Canada unless you have proof of your Canadian
permanent resident status (i.e. your permanent resident card) or a travel
document. The travel document is to facilitate travel to Canada, not entry
into Canada.


VISA OFFICES OUTSIDE CANADA: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/index.html

LOS ANGELES WEBSITE:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/...&mid=9&cat=101
3&typ=1

TRAVEL DOCUMENT (PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD) APPLICATION:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/travel.html

RESIDENCY OBLIGATIONS: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomer/res-oblig.html


Visa Section
Canadian Consulate General/Consulat général du Canada
550 S. Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2627
Tel./Tél. (213) 346-2700
Fax/Téléc. (213) 625-7154
http://www.losangeles.gc.ca



"Stu Barton" <> wrote in message
news:U39vb.442074$6C4.388746@pd7tw1no...
    > Thank you everyone for your feedback. I feel a lot more comfortable with
    > this process. When I arrive in the US I will contact the Canadian
Consulate
    > and arrange for the One-Time Use Travel document. This certainly is the
    > kick in the pants I needed to apply for citizenship though. Below is a
    > compilation of information and sources relevant to my questions:
    > What is the Permanent Resident Card?
    > Permanent Resident Card: Overview http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/
    > "The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card
    > that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. As of
December
    > 31, 2003, the PR card will be the proof of status document required by
    > permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier
    > (airplane, boat, train or bus).
    > As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents returning to Canada without a
    > valid PR card will not be permitted to board their carrier. They will have
    > to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited
use
    > travel document to re-enter Canada at a cost of $50 for each one. "
    > Permanent Resident Card: Application
    > http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/prcard.html
    > What if I don't have a PR Card?
    > Permanent Resident Card: Frequently Asked Questions
    > http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/prc-issues.html
    > Can you process my application more quickly if I am leaving the country?
    > No.
    > Permanent residents who plan to travel overseas and return after December
    > 30, 2003 should obtain a PR card prior to their departure. Apply as early
as
    > possible since it takes approximately 12 weeks to process an application
for
    > the card.
    > Permanent residents without PR cards who travel overseas and return to
    > Canada after December 30, 2003 will need to contact the nearest Canadian
    > embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document.
    > You can use your IMM 1000 Record of Landing document for travel purposes
    > until December 30, 2003.
    > Is there an alternative to the PR card?
    > As of December 31, 2003, all permanent residents returning from
    > international travel on commercial carriers will need to show their PR
card.
    > In emergency situations, permanent residents may obtain a one-time-use
    > travel document at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad.
    > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Form
    > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kit...s/IMM5524B.PDF)
    > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Guide
    > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5529E.PDF)
    > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Help on
    > the IMM5524 application process (USA)
    > (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/...mid=11&cat=633)
    > Overview of what you need for the IMM5524 (from the US):
    > a.. Completed IMM 5524 application (Permanent Resident Abroad)
    > b.. Evidence of Permanent Resident Status (copy of PR Card or Record of
    > Landing)
    > c.. Evidence of physical presence in Canada for the past 5 years
    > d.. Two recent passport-sized photos with birth date and signature on
the
    > back.
    > e.. Valid Passport
    > f.. US Visa or I-94 card
    > g.. Cheque CAD$ 50 or US$ 37 payable to the Receiver General of Canada
or
    > Canadian Consulate-General (respectively).
    > h.. Self-addressed, stamped return Express Mail envelope.
    > Note: You can only apply for the One Time Travel document while you are
    > abroad.
    > Citizenship & Immigration Canada: Entry Policy Manual
    > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/...enf/enf04e.pdf)
    > CIC have stated in their policy manuals that PRs from tourist visa exempt
    > countries (British citizens, Australians etc) may use their passports
rather
    > than a PR card to board Canada bound commercial transportation (section
    > 11.5):
    > 11.5 Permanent resident card
    > A permanent resident card, commonly referred to as the Maple leaf card, is
    > the status document referred to in A31(1) that indicates that the holder
is
    > a permanent resident. It replaces the IMM 1000 Record of Landing, which
was
    > issued to all permanent residents under the 1976 Immigration Act. (For
more
    > information on the permanent resident card, refer to [ENF 27, Permanent
    > resident card]).
    > Prescribed document
    > Section A148(1)(a) requires that transporters must not board persons
unless
    > they are in possession of a prescribed document. Section R259 makes the
    > permanent resident card a prescribed document for the purpose of A148.
This
    > section, however, does not come into force until December 31st, 2003.
    > After this date, unless a permanent resident is from a visa exempt country
    > listed in R190, they will need to have a permanent resident card to board
a
    > vehicle bound for Canada. In order to facilitate the transition from the
IMM
    > 1000 to the permanent resident card, transporters are permitted to board
    > permanent residents holding the IMM 1000 until December 31st, 2003.
    > "Stu Barton" <> wrote in message
    > news:iPOub.434753$6C4.103386@pd7tw1no...
    > > I see that there has been a fair amount of discussion on this but I'm
    > still
    > > a little concerned/confused so bear with me.
    > >
    > > I am a Permanent Resident who is planning to travel to the United States
    > in
    > > January (and return to Canada that same month). I have applied for the
    > > (inane) Permanent Resident card but do not expect it to be available
    > before
    > > I leave the country.
    > >
    > > Anyone who could provide clarification/guidance on the following would
be
    > > greatly appreciated.
    > >
    > > 1. I understand that the carrier (Air Canada in my case) will not
prevent
    > > me from LEAVING Canada without a PR Card after Dec 31st, 2003. They
will
    > > prevent me from boarding on my RETURN TRIP if I do not possess this
card.
    > > a. Has anyone heard any different?
    > > b. How strict/lenient should we anticipate this requirement
to
    > be
    > > adhered to? (assuming that I am not the only person in this position and
    > > that there may be a fair number of people faced with this scenario,
    > > especially early in the new year)
    > > c. Potentially, could the carrier allow me to board and then
    > have
    > > Immigration "process" me once I return?
    > >
    > > 2. For those residents who do not possess a PR Card they apply to the
    > > nearest Canadian Consulate whilst abroad to obtain a "Limited Use Travel
    > > Document" (for a $50 fee).
    > > a. Can you obtain this document before you travel (leave
    > Canada)?
    > > b. Do you need to present yourself in person to a Canadian
    > > Consulate or can this be done by fax/mail/phone?
    > > c. What is the potential processing time for this document?
    > >
    > > Essentially I don't want to end up in the situation of arriving at the
    > > airport to return to Canada and having to miss my flight because I do
not
    > > have the correct documentation. I would like to pre-arrange as much in
    > > advance as possible (conceding of course that I should have applied for
    > the
    > > PR Card earlier).
    > >
    > > What is the worse case scenario if I do not have a PR Card?
    > >
    > > Thoughts/comments/suggestions/advice/etc are appreciated.
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > >
    > > Stu Barton
    > >
    > >
    > >

Stu Barton

ummm...that should read Los ANGELES.

"Stu Barton" <> wrote in message
newspavb.442535$pl3.256445@pd7tw3no...
    > I have also received this response from the Canadian Consulate in Los
    > Angles:
    > PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF CANADA WHO DO NOT HAVE AN IMM1000, VALID RETURNING
    > RESIDENT PERMIT OR A PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD:
    > If you are outside Canada and do not have any Canadian immigration
document
    > to demonstrate your permanent residence status, you may contact a visa
    > office outside Canada and apply for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident
    > Abroad). The visa office will then start the process for evaluation of
your
    > status and determination of whether you have conformed with the residency
    > obligations. If it is established that you were at any time a permanent
    > resident of Canada and you meet the requirements of the residency
    > obligation, you will be issued a Travel Document counterfoil in your
    > passport to enable your travel back to Canada. If you do not meet the
    > requirements of the residency obligation, your application may be refused
    > after consideration of all connected factors.
    > PLEASE NOTE THAT:
    > You must be outside Canada in order to apply for a travel document to
return
    > to Canada. You cannot apply prior to leaving Canada. The processing time
may
    > take up to 15 working days depending on how busy we are in this office.
    > Your options are as follows:
    > 1) Postpone your trip until you have received your permanent resident
    > card.
    > 2) While you are outside Canada, apply for a travel document in person
    > or by mail in one of the visa offices abroad.
    > 3) Arrange your travel so that you can drive across the border back to
    > Canada. If you choose option # 3, you would not need a permanent resident
    > card or travel document in order to enter Canada, as the officer at the
    > border would make the determination regarding your permanent resident
status
    > on the spot. (A permanent resident card or travel document is only
necessary
    > after December 31, 2003 if you will be travelling to Canada via commercial
    > carrier, i.e. plane, train, bus or boat.)
    > The problem is not what will happen when you arrive at the airport in
Canada
    > after your trip. The problem is that the airline personnel may not let you
    > even board the plane back to Canada unless you have proof of your Canadian
    > permanent resident status (i.e. your permanent resident card) or a travel
    > document. The travel document is to facilitate travel to Canada, not entry
    > into Canada.
    > VISA OFFICES OUTSIDE CANADA:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/index.html
    > LOS ANGELES WEBSITE:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/...&mid=9&cat=101
    > 3&typ=1
    > TRAVEL DOCUMENT (PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD) APPLICATION:
    > http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/travel.html
    > RESIDENCY OBLIGATIONS:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomer/res-oblig.html
    > Visa Section
    > Canadian Consulate General/Consulat général du Canada
    > 550 S. Hope Street, 9th Floor
    > Los Angeles, CA 90071-2627
    > Tel./Tél. (213) 346-2700
    > Fax/Téléc. (213) 625-7154
    > http://www.losangeles.gc.ca
    > "Stu Barton" <> wrote in message
    > news:U39vb.442074$6C4.388746@pd7tw1no...
    > > Thank you everyone for your feedback. I feel a lot more comfortable
with
    > > this process. When I arrive in the US I will contact the Canadian
    > Consulate
    > > and arrange for the One-Time Use Travel document. This certainly is the
    > > kick in the pants I needed to apply for citizenship though. Below is a
    > > compilation of information and sources relevant to my questions:
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > What is the Permanent Resident Card?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Permanent Resident Card: Overview http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/
    > >
    > >
    > > "The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card
    > > that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. As of
    > December
    > > 31, 2003, the PR card will be the proof of status document required by
    > > permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier
    > > (airplane, boat, train or bus).
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents returning to Canada without
a
    > > valid PR card will not be permitted to board their carrier. They will
have
    > > to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited
    > use
    > > travel document to re-enter Canada at a cost of $50 for each one. "
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Permanent Resident Card: Application
    > > http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/prcard.html
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > What if I don't have a PR Card?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Permanent Resident Card: Frequently Asked Questions
    > > http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/prc-issues.html
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Can you process my application more quickly if I am leaving the country?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > No.
    > >
    > > Permanent residents who plan to travel overseas and return after
December
    > > 30, 2003 should obtain a PR card prior to their departure. Apply as
early
    > as
    > > possible since it takes approximately 12 weeks to process an application
    > for
    > > the card.
    > >
    > > Permanent residents without PR cards who travel overseas and return to
    > > Canada after December 30, 2003 will need to contact the nearest Canadian
    > > embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document.
    > >
    > > You can use your IMM 1000 Record of Landing document for travel purposes
    > > until December 30, 2003.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Is there an alternative to the PR card?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > As of December 31, 2003, all permanent residents returning from
    > > international travel on commercial carriers will need to show their PR
    > card.
    > >
    > > In emergency situations, permanent residents may obtain a one-time-use
    > > travel document at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Form
    > > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kit...s/IMM5524B.PDF)
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Guide
    > > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5529E.PDF)
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > One time Use Travel document (Permanent Resident Abroad IMM5524): Help
on
    > > the IMM5524 application process (USA)
    > > (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/...mid=11&cat=633)
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Overview of what you need for the IMM5524 (from the US):
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > a.. Completed IMM 5524 application (Permanent Resident Abroad)
    > > b.. Evidence of Permanent Resident Status (copy of PR Card or Record
of
    > > Landing)
    > > c.. Evidence of physical presence in Canada for the past 5 years
    > > d.. Two recent passport-sized photos with birth date and signature on
    > the
    > > back.
    > > e.. Valid Passport
    > > f.. US Visa or I-94 card
    > > g.. Cheque CAD$ 50 or US$ 37 payable to the Receiver General of Canada
    > or
    > > Canadian Consulate-General (respectively).
    > > h.. Self-addressed, stamped return Express Mail envelope.
    > >
    > >
    > > Note: You can only apply for the One Time Travel document while you are
    > > abroad.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Citizenship & Immigration Canada: Entry Policy Manual
    > > (http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/...enf/enf04e.pdf)
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > CIC have stated in their policy manuals that PRs from tourist visa
exempt
    > > countries (British citizens, Australians etc) may use their passports
    > rather
    > > than a PR card to board Canada bound commercial transportation (section
    > > 11.5):
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 11.5 Permanent resident card
    > >
    > > A permanent resident card, commonly referred to as the Maple leaf card,
is
    > > the status document referred to in A31(1) that indicates that the holder
    > is
    > > a permanent resident. It replaces the IMM 1000 Record of Landing, which
    > was
    > > issued to all permanent residents under the 1976 Immigration Act. (For
    > more
    > > information on the permanent resident card, refer to [ENF 27, Permanent
    > > resident card]).
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Prescribed document
    > > Section A148(1)(a) requires that transporters must not board persons
    > unless
    > > they are in possession of a prescribed document. Section R259 makes the
    > > permanent resident card a prescribed document for the purpose of A148.
    > This
    > > section, however, does not come into force until December 31st, 2003.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > After this date, unless a permanent resident is from a visa exempt
country
    > > listed in R190, they will need to have a permanent resident card to
board
    > a
    > > vehicle bound for Canada. In order to facilitate the transition from the
    > IMM
    > > 1000 to the permanent resident card, transporters are permitted to board
    > > permanent residents holding the IMM 1000 until December 31st, 2003.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > "Stu Barton" <> wrote in message
    > > news:iPOub.434753$6C4.103386@pd7tw1no...
    > > > I see that there has been a fair amount of discussion on this but I'm
    > > still
    > > > a little concerned/confused so bear with me.
    > > >
    > > > I am a Permanent Resident who is planning to travel to the United
States
    > > in
    > > > January (and return to Canada that same month). I have applied for
the
    > > > (inane) Permanent Resident card but do not expect it to be available
    > > before
    > > > I leave the country.
    > > >
    > > > Anyone who could provide clarification/guidance on the following would
    > be
    > > > greatly appreciated.
    > > >
    > > > 1. I understand that the carrier (Air Canada in my case) will not
    > prevent
    > > > me from LEAVING Canada without a PR Card after Dec 31st, 2003. They
    > will
    > > > prevent me from boarding on my RETURN TRIP if I do not possess this
    > card.
    > > > a. Has anyone heard any different?
    > > > b. How strict/lenient should we anticipate this requirement
    > to
    > > be
    > > > adhered to? (assuming that I am not the only person in this position
and
    > > > that there may be a fair number of people faced with this scenario,
    > > > especially early in the new year)
    > > > c. Potentially, could the carrier allow me to board and then
    > > have
    > > > Immigration "process" me once I return?
    > > >
    > > > 2. For those residents who do not possess a PR Card they apply to the
    > > > nearest Canadian Consulate whilst abroad to obtain a "Limited Use
Travel
    > > > Document" (for a $50 fee).
    > > > a. Can you obtain this document before you travel (leave
    > > Canada)?
    > > > b. Do you need to present yourself in person to a Canadian
    > > > Consulate or can this be done by fax/mail/phone?
    > > > c. What is the potential processing time for this document?
    > > >
    > > > Essentially I don't want to end up in the situation of arriving at the
    > > > airport to return to Canada and having to miss my flight because I do
    > not
    > > > have the correct documentation. I would like to pre-arrange as much
in
    > > > advance as possible (conceding of course that I should have applied
for
    > > the
    > > > PR Card earlier).
    > > >
    > > > What is the worse case scenario if I do not have a PR Card?
    > > >
    > > > Thoughts/comments/suggestions/advice/etc are appreciated.
    > > >
    > > > Thanks,
    > > >
    > > > Stu Barton
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >