Traveling to Canada on a conditional resident card

[bilal187 0]

My wife currently has a United States conditional resident card with a valid Pakistani passport. Would like to confirm if a visa is needed to travel to Canada?

PS. The conditional resident card has expired while it is being processed for perminent green card. However a letter indicating it has been extended for a year is still valid.

[payxibka 10,045]

valid green card or expired greencard and extention letter (along with alien's passport) is needed

[YuAndDan 153]

valid green card or expired greencard and extention letter (along with alien's passport) is needed

Correct, green-card holders are welcome to visit Canada without a visa.

The Extension letter and expired green-card and foreign passport are all that is needed to enter Canada.

[payxibka 10,045]

valid green card or expired greencard and extention letter (along with alien's passport) is needed

Correct, green-card holders are welcome to visit Canada without a visa.

The Extension letter and expired green-card and foreign passport are all that is needed to enter Canada.

as well as return to the USA...

[bilal187 0]

I appreciate the responses on this. But can you provide me a link where this is documented by a gov agency. Since I am having no luck at contacting any one at the Canadian Embassy. The only thing that is worrying me is that she does not have a valid green card only has a letter indicating that it has been extended will it be enough to reenter or leave US to Canada for that matter?

[payxibka 10,045]

I appreciate the responses on this. But can you provide me a link where this is documented by a gov agency. Since I am having no luck at contacting any one at the Canadian Embassy. The only thing that is worrying me is that she does not have a valid green card only has a letter indicating that it has been extended will it be enough to reenter or leave US to Canada for that matter?

leaving the US in not a problem.... you can leave anytime you want..

The extention letter is exactly that... extends the greencard for one year. It is by design, to provide you with something to document you legal residency in the USA, including but not limited to re-entry privileges....

[bilal187 0]

So does that mean that people with conditional resedent cards and green cards both can travel to Canada without a Visa?

[payxibka 10,045]

So does that mean that people with conditional resedent cards and green cards both can travel to Canada without a Visa?

What is needed is an unexpired permanent resident card (green card)... it does not matter if it is a conditional 2 yr. or 10 yr. Both are PERMANENT RESIDENT cards. Just look at the top of the actual card, what does it say?

Edited January 28, 2009 by payxibka

[bilal187 0]

I sent my question to Boston Canadian embassy that just responded. But it hadly answers my question. See below response...

__________________________________

Hello Bilal, Unfortunately I cannot give you an answer without conditions. The CIC ( Citizenship and Immigration Canada) website states; "persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence"; may be admitted to Canada without a visa.You should be fine with the extension letter, however it is ultimately up to the Border Agent you meet. If you have an I-551 stamp in your passport that should be sufficient proof as well. I would advise you to contact Canadian Customs, the group you will meet at the border, about your inquiry. They can be contacted at: 506-636-5064. Bonne Chance!

__________________________________

See what i mean they are saying yes and not sure at the same time.

[payxibka 10,045]

standard reply... you would get the same answer from a US consulate... since the embassy/consulate does not make entry decisions they cannot tell you definitive. As with out POE's, Canadian POE's are the same... The border officer is the absolute decider....

[bilal187 0]

I called and spoke with a border officer and they were not sure if the conditional resident is the same as perminent resident. Was told that a perm resident can reenter into USA from Canada however was not clear if a conditional resident can or not with a letter extention.

[Krikit 1,164]

I appreciate the responses on this. But can you provide me a link where this is documented by a gov agency. Since I am having no luck at contacting any one at the Canadian Embassy. The only thing that is worrying me is that she does not have a valid green card only has a letter indicating that it has been extended will it be enough to reenter or leave US to Canada for that matter?

If you scroll down the page on this link you will see:

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include:

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence

I called and spoke with a border officer and they were not sure if the conditional resident is the same as perminent resident. Was told that a perm resident can reenter into USA from Canada however was not clear if a conditional resident can or not with a letter extention.

A conditional resident IS the same. She is a conditional PERMANENT resident. And, yes, she can reenter the US with the extension letter.

[spencer2 0]

You dont have to worry about a visa, i am from zambia ( africa) and itravelled to halifax novascotia in canada in july of 2008 with an expired green card and extension letter and was addmited into canada without a problem, coming back was very easy too. I tried to call the embassy and email them but they gave me vague answers, i was a little nervous when going but when i went all was good and no hustle, i have since gone back another time with my new card. Worry not, i find candian boader agents very knowledgeble about all this.

Edited January 28, 2009 by spencer2

[payxibka 10,045]

I called and spoke with a border officer and they were not sure if the conditional resident is the same as perminent resident. Was told that a perm resident can reenter into USA from Canada however was not clear if a conditional resident can or not with a letter extention.

Stop making a distinction between conditional and permanent.... both are PERMANENT RESIDENTS