Travelling to Canada with green card and expired passport + new eTA document?

[meintheusa123 0]

Hey all,

I was a heavy VJ user when going through my process. I got my 10 year GC.

My marriage is pretty much falling apart, and I need to be at home with my family :'(

My passport has been expired for 3 months. I was prepared to wait the ~30 days to get it renewed, but then I found out I could use my GC in lieu of it.

So I'm reading and come across this new eTA document. It says I don't need it if I'm a Canadian citizen (which I am), but do need it if I'm a US Permanent Resident.

Has anyone dealt with the new eTA, or used their GC in lieu of a passport?

All ideas welcome.

[Lemonslice 4,947]

Are you planning to drive or fly?

Documents you have are enough to enter Canada by land. Or to fly to a border airport and be picked up/rent a car....

Sorry to hear about your marriage, good luck to you.

[newacct 688]

Canadian citizens are not allowed to get an eTA. The eTA requirement will only be enforced (only for people entering Canada by air) starting September 29; if you travel before then, or if you're entering Canada by land or sea, then you don't have to worry about it.

[meintheusa123 0]

Thank you guys!!

So this would be my plan:

- Airport

- Check in/bags/boarding passes with GC

- Board flight with pass/GC

- Land at Pearson intl, head through Canadian customs with GC, expired passport and birth certificate (the last 2 just in case)

Theoretically, this would work?

[newacct 688]

If the airline lets you board, yes. US permanent residents are not supposed to need a passport to travel directly to Canada; but airlines might insist on needing one nevertheless.

[NikLR 13,231]

You're a Canadian citizen correct? As such you dont even need a green card to enter Canada or an eTA.

However you may want to contact the airline to determine if they will require a valid passport. If so you could fly to a border town, drive/bus/walk/taxi across, and finish yur fights within Canada.

[Lemonslice 4,947]

Thank you guys!!

So this would be my plan:

- Airport

- Check in/bags/boarding passes with GC

- Board flight with pass/GC

- Land at Pearson intl, head through Canadian customs with GC, expired passport and birth certificate (the last 2 just in case)

Theoretically, this would work?

To board a commercial flight from the USA to Canada, your passport has to be valid. Alternative is to fly domestically to a border town in the USA and cross by land.

[meintheusa123 0]

My mom and I made some calls this morning to Canada Border Services and Air Canada, they still want a valid passport

I got my hopes up!!

Looks like I'll be taking a day off work to go to LA to the embassy.

[newacct 688]

To board a commercial flight from the USA to Canada, your passport has to be valid.

But why? Canada doesn't require a passport for US permanent residents.

[newacct 688]

My mom and I made some calls this morning to Canada Border Services and Air Canada, they still want a valid passport

I got my hopes up!!

Looks like I'll be taking a day off work to go to LA to the embassy.

If you mentioned that you are a Canadian citizen or have a Canadian passport, then of course they will want a valid passport.

Don't worry about CBSA as you will be able to enter Canada no matter what if you get there. It's the airline that matters, and make sure to only mention you have a green card and don't mention you're a Canadian citizen.

[Lemonslice 4,947]

But why? Canada doesn't require a passport for US permanent residents.

to enter by land.

By commercial airlines, passport is required.

If you mentioned that you are a Canadian citizen or have a Canadian passport, then of course they will want a valid passport.

Don't worry about CBSA as you will be able to enter Canada no matter what if you get there. It's the airline that matters, and make sure to only mention you have a green card and don't mention you're a Canadian citizen.

again, commercial airlines are requiring a passport. They have to, it's part of WHTI. Edited July 4, 2016 by Lemonslice

[meintheusa123 0]

You guys have been helpful and given me some options to think about.

I remembered I have a friend in Buffalo who can put me up so I can cross by land. She lives right by the peace bridge, thankfully.

I'll be contacting the Embassy tomorrow to see what they can do. Plan B is to fly to Buffalo and get picked up from there.

Edited July 4, 2016 by meintheusa123

[newacct 688]

to enter by land.

By commercial airlines, passport is required.

No it isn't. Canada does not require a passport for US permanent residents coming directly form the US arriving by any means.

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x5

Permanent residents of the United States may travel to Canada from the United States or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon without passports, travel documents or visas provided they produce satisfactory evidence of their identity and status.

Edited July 4, 2016 by newacct

[Lemonslice 4,947]

No it isn't. Canada does not require a passport for US permanent residents coming directly form the US arriving by any means.

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x5

Good luck catching a commercial flight to Canada with your green card... CBSA will/would let you in - however, the airline won't let you board! Edited July 4, 2016 by Lemonslice

[meintheusa123 0]

Yeah, I think the airline is the hiccup.