Going to Canada this summer

[ARNGWFE 0]

I recently filed for a new Canadian passport to change to my married name. Even though I applied in early December, I didn't yet have my passport in mid-February which I needed to fly to Toronto on business. While talking with the passport rep in Quebec who was expediting my passport so I could make my trip, I asked if I could enter the US just using my green card. She said she had checked on that for another Canadian caller earlier in the day and was told that the green card only has your country of birth on it which isn't necessarily your citizenship, so you'd still have to have your passport to show your citizenship to the US authorities. Made sense to me.

I showed my Cdn passport to get into Canada (showing a Cdn passport when your purpose is business makes it a breeze to get in!) and my green card to get back into the US. I had my passport on the counter if they needed it, but they only took my green card.

I've heard that they haven't prevented eligible residents from returning to the US if they don't have a passport, but they will take them aside to investigate further.

Jen

[mozplay 29]

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/whti/...manentResidents

"As of January 23, 2007, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document."

Note the star next to "all persons" and then this is the note:

"*Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), refugees, and asylees will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by DHS, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status or refugee or asylee status to apply for entry to the United States."

Though you seem to have made up your mind, here is my take on it ...

LPRs, refugees and asylees do not have US passports, which is why their Alien Registration Cards should show that they have legal status to enter and why a US passport is not necessary.

However ... let's think about this logically ... why would the US make a law that made things harder for the citizens and easier for everyone else?

Also - I've just come from Canada and there is a huge rush and backlog for passports. Just in case you are wrong, I would suggest that you get file for his passport. It is a document everyone should have, regardless of where you live. Why risk something that could be easily solved?

Mo

[shermike 1]

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations...ation/index.jsp

Use this link to find out if he will need a passport. It works pretty well.

Edited March 10, 2007 by shermike

[misa 2]

Just in case you are wrong, I would suggest that you get file for his passport. It is a document everyone should have, regardless of where you live. Why risk something that could be easily solved?

That's my thought too... I wouldn't be comfortable NOT having a passport which indicates all my vital info especially my citizenship.

[Cassie 8]

I showed my Cdn passport to get into Canada (showing a Cdn passport when your purpose is business makes it a breeze to get in!) and my green card to get back into the US. I had my passport on the counter if they needed it, but they only took my green card.

Jen

On my two trips since receiving my card, I've done the same and had no problems.

Personally, I wouldn't feel secure unless I had both the card and my Canadian passport. There's no guarantee that the ticket counter peeps or security peeps have read all the nitty-gritty rules, but just apply the "everyone needs a passport to enter Canada" rule across the board.

Edited March 10, 2007 by Cassie

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Canadian citizens require proof of their citizenship to enter Canada whether that is a birth certificate or a passport. Non-Canadians require proof of their citizenship (passport) or in the case of US citizens, birth certificates, plus the appropriate visas, if required. Non-Canadian LPR in the US will require both their passport as proof of citizenship plus their green card to prove they are eligible to enter Canada as LPR.

All international travellers travelling between two countries require a passport to board a plane; there are some exceptions being made between Canada and US for Canadians who were visiting the US prior to the new legislation taking effect in January, 2007 (ie. snowbirds) and who are returning home. All passengers by air - including US and Canadian citizens - require a passport to travel to the US. Birth certificates are not considered sufficient proof of citizenship anymore. There is some leeway during the transition time for US citizens returning to the US without a passport, that will include secondary inspection and verification of their US citizenship. All LPR will need to show their green card at US immigration pre-clearance as well as their passports.

Canadians and Americans entering and exiting Canada and the US via land ports of entry are still able to use birth certificates for their proof of citizenship but will be required to have passports or a special border card (not yet available) by as early as 2008 - the actual date has not yet been announced. That means US citizens will require a passport to re-enter the US, although they will not require a passport to enter Canada (unless legislation is enacted to change that).

It will be in your husband's best interest to get and keep a valid passport; in a very short time if he has an emergency and has to return to Canada he will be stuck there until he can get a valid passport. Is it really worth that type of stress?

Edited March 10, 2007 by Kathryn41

[cmthetraveler 0]

Update: US Customs and Border Patrol: "LPRs can continue to show their Alien Registration Card (form I-551). They are NOT required to show passports."

Well, I guess that clears it up pretty well. I was reading it correctly as I had hoped. Thanks for the replies anyway. Never would have thought to actually call them on my own, so thanks for that input.

Hi Ashley,

I have been researching this exact question because I am a LPR of the U.S. who is a Canadian citizen and about to travel to Canada in two weeks. I applied for my Canadian passport the last week of March (figuring that would be plenty of time). My current passport doesn't expire until September, but I wanted to be PROACTIVE. Little did I realize that over 10 weeks later I'd be biting my nails about being able to take my planned trip. I couldn't have sent my passport application in any earlier because I work in the travel industry and needed my current passport (which is required to be turned in with the application for the new one), and couldn't send it in any later because I'm going to Ireland in July and most countries require the passport to be valid 6 months beyond your return home dates, rendering my current valid passport useless for that trip. Talk about an impossible situation. To make matters worse, the Canadian passport is only good for five years, which in effect makes it good for less than 4 1/2 years because of all this!

Anyway, I found a document that is worth gold - it is the new U.S. Carrier Information Guide, UPDATED in May, 2007 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which explicitly states in several places the LPRs can use a passport OR their LPR I-551 card to both DEPART and ENTER the U.S. VIA AIR. Not only does it state this in writing, it even has pictures of the acceptable documents in each category. I have printed out a copy of this entire document and you bet I'll have it with me when I check in at the airport June 23rd - probably without my Canadian passport!

It's a PDF file and I can't give you a link, but if you'll just do a Google search: Carrier Information Guide, you will get to the document.

[Reba 2]

Whatever the interpretation of the wording of that particular link posted, as many people as there are here that have different interpretations, tehre are border officers who've interpreted it differently as well. Why take the chance that your husband will be stopped and denied entry by one who says the rule is "no passport, no passage"?

My own personal experience says he'll need both his passport and his greencard. Whenever I have come back into the US I've been asked for both.

[KarenCee 3]

"*Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), refugees, and asylees will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by DHS, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status or refugee or asylee status to apply for entry to the United States."

I'm thinking this means that since he isn't a US citizen yet, he would need the green card along with his Canadian passport to reenter the US. I'm with the other posters...I believe I'd be finding out how to get his passport renewed or replaced.

Edited June 7, 2007 by KarenCee

[mrsushi66 0]

Also something to think about. Standing there at a security check point and not having the passport "if" they ask for it and quoting some website is not going to get anyone past a security check point. Or saying well I called and they said I didn't need a passport.

In the end it is better to have more documentation than not enough, something I think most people here would agree with.

Take your chances if you wish to and I hope it works out of ya but think about what it will be like if it doesnt!!!

Edited June 7, 2007 by mrsushi66

[Dr_LHA 3]

From what I understand if you check out the Department of State websites and warning, EVERYONE needs passports now to cross local borders.

Nope. You can still cross the Canadian border by car without a passport. Passports are needed only if you are flying to Canada. Passports will be required after Jan 2008.

Edited June 7, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[cmthetraveler 0]

Also something to think about. Standing there at a security check point and not having the passport "if" they ask for it and quoting some website is not going to get anyone past a security check point. Or saying well I called and they said I didn't need a passport.

In the end it is better to have more documentation than not enough, something I think most people here would agree with.

Take your chances if you wish to and I hope it works out of ya but think about what it will be like if it doesnt!!!

Also something to think about. Standing there at a security check point and not having the passport "if" they ask for it and quoting some website is not going to get anyone past a security check point. Or saying well I called and they said I didn't need a passport.

In the end it is better to have more documentation than not enough, something I think most people here would agree with.

Take your chances if you wish to and I hope it works out of ya but think about what it will be like if it doesnt!!!

I absolutely agree, which is why I have APPLIED for my passport (a long time ago - if you see my post from yesterday). Since Passport Canada is so backlogged and it's looking like I won't get mine in time to fly to Alberta, I will show them the publication they must subscribe to, which presents the RULES the Customs and Border Protection agency has set specifically for airlines about what documentation they are required to ask for (under financial penalty - and I'm sure they're quite familiar with it). This document was updated in May, 2007 - so obviously some clarification was needed, and I have read other posts with "rumors" about this, but I finally found solid proof and I quote from it:

To DEPART by air - U.S. Residents (as differentiated from U.S. Citizens or Visitors) must provide ONE of the following:

*Passport

*Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551

*Temporary Residence Stamp ("ADIT") contined in a passport or on a Form I-94

*Reentry Permit, Form I-327

*Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571

*Alien member of the U.S. Armed Forces in possession of official orders and military identification card.

The documentation requirements to ARRIVE by Air are nearly the same. Required is ONE of the following:

*Permanent Resident Card

*Form I-551

*Expired Conditional Resident Card Form I-551, accompanied by Form I-797 Notice of Action Indicating the card is extended

*Immigrant Visa and Passport

*Temporary Residence Stamp ("ADIT") contained in a passport or on a Form I-94

*Reentry Permit, Form I-327....and several other documents.

There is a note that destination countries may require additional documentation, but I am flying into CANADA, my country of citizenship, so I will be sure to have my birth certificate, an expired passport, as well as all the copies and documentation that I have applied for my much delayed passport, including copies of the currently valid passport I had to send in with my application. Your country of birth and citizenship cannot deny you entry if you can prove citizenship and I have all I need to do that. Unfortunately this won't work for my trip to Ireland in July so I'm hoping and praying to have my passport back by then (it will have been in Passport Canada's hands for 15 weeks the week before I leave!)

Other interesting information - LPRs do NOT come under the WHTI ruling - we are actually under the ruling of a different section of law - which is why it IS different for us. See this link for more information (page 68419): http://travel.state.gov/pdf/WHTI_final_rule_new.pdf

I'll let everyone know what happens. The best scenario obviously would be for my passport to come - we'll see.

[cmthetraveler 0]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update....I am writing this from Jasper, Alberta, and have been in Canada since June 23rd. My passport did NOT come on time, but as you know I did my research and was prepared when I checked in at Air Canada in Los Angeles to prove I should be allowed to fly here.(I had with me documentation from many resources stating that I could legally fly to Canada on my LPR card.)

Sure enough the agent at check-in asked me for a passport. I told her I didn't have it because it was in Canada with my new application, and I told her that I knew for a fact that I could leave and re-enter the U.S. on my I-551. As soon as I began to pull out the documentation, she backed down and told me I should get a passport because I'll need one soon. I told her I was TRYING to get my passport!!!

When I got to Canada customs, I told the agent there that I am a Canadian citizen who is an LPR of the U.S. and had my birth certificate, etc. All she did was look at my LPR card and passed me through. I didn't even have to show her anything other than my LPR card. I was so relieved after hours of nervousness!

The best news came today, my husband called to tell me my passport has finally arrived! Kind of ironic that I had to be up here in Canada when my passport arrived in the United States...

If anyone is interested in the websites I got my information from, let me know and I'll be happy to provide some links for you.

Good luck to everyone.