USA immigrant flying out of Montreal Canada

[dvensel1 5]

Good Morning All....

We have a peculiar problem going on here at home.  My Philippine wife and I desire to return to Bohol Philippines this November.  She is a current 2 year temporary green card holder through our marriage here in the states.  The problem is as follows:

1)  Her current green card (2 year) expires on November 21st 2017.  However, we have applied for her permanent card and received the NOA form from the St. Albans Vermont office.  This NOA stated her current green card has been extended for "one year for residency and travel".  All paperwork for her 10 year card is with the US immigration now.  We have an appointment on Oct. 5th to report for her BIOS's.  We want to return to Bohol Philippines by flying out of Montreal Canada (it's much closer and cheaper for us here in NY state and we would be driving up to Canada and dropped off there by friends)  on November 29th and heading to San Francisco as a stop-off to visit my daughter for a few days.  And then on to Manila.  We would return January 29th to San Francisco and then fly on to Montreal where we would be picked up by friends and taken back to New York by car.

Questions arose at this itinerary.

a)  Can we do this considering her 2 year card will show expiration even though it has actually been extended and we have the official NOA 797 form in hand?

b)  Will Canadian immigration recognize this extension and allow my wife in so we can take a car back across the border?

c)  Will we be able to 'leave' the Philippines with this extension and return to San Francisco and then Montreal Canada in January?   In other words, would the Philippines immigration even let her board the plane?

d)  Does anyone know how long it will take to get her 10 year card after her BIOS's?  St. Albans Vermont office is being used in this case.

She is legal, has the official extension for one year but we want to fly out of Canada to save time and money.  This is the bottle-neck we encountered.   Can someone shed some light onto this for us?  No one seems to have a real and actual answer.

Thanks much for an answer.  I hope someone can give us real and actual correct answers here.

Doug and Ana

Malone NY

[Ksenia_O 696]

1 hour ago, dvensel1 said:

Good Morning All....

We have a peculiar problem going on here at home.  My Philippine wife and I desire to return to Bohol Philippines this November.  She is a current 2 year temporary green card holder through our marriage here in the states.  The problem is as follows:

1)  Her current green card (2 year) expires on November 21st 2017.  However, we have applied for her permanent card and received the NOA form from the St. Albans Vermont office.  This NOA stated her current green card has been extended for "one year for residency and travel".  All paperwork for her 10 year card is with the US immigration now.  We have an appointment on Oct. 5th to report for her BIOS's.  We want to return to Bohol Philippines by flying out of Montreal Canada (it's much closer and cheaper for us here in NY state and we would be driving up to Canada and dropped off there by friends)  on November 29th and heading to San Francisco as a stop-off to visit my daughter for a few days.  And then on to Manila.  We would return January 29th to San Francisco and then fly on to Montreal where we would be picked up by friends and taken back to New York by car.

Questions arose at this itinerary.

a)  Can we do this considering her 2 year card will show expiration even though it has actually been extended and we have the official NOA 797 form in hand?

b)  Will Canadian immigration recognize this extension and allow my wife in so we can take a car back across the border?

c)  Will we be able to 'leave' the Philippines with this extension and return to San Francisco and then Montreal Canada in January?   In other words, would the Philippines immigration even let her board the plane?

d)  Does anyone know how long it will take to get her 10 year card after her BIOS's?  St. Albans Vermont office is being used in this case.

She is legal, has the official extension for one year but we want to fly out of Canada to save time and money.  This is the bottle-neck we encountered.   Can someone shed some light onto this for us?  No one seems to have a real and actual answer.

Thanks much for an answer.  I hope someone can give us real and actual correct answers here.

Doug and Ana

Malone NY

Hi
I just got back from Ukraine, with and Extension Letter and expired green card,  and my return flight was through Germany and  Toronto.  

So, yes, they DO recognize an Extension Letter - no worries. 

 

the only thing - you should check Canada travel requirements.

I had to apply for eTA (electronic travel authorization),  as a resident of USA, but not a Canadian citizen. Costs $7 and takes 5 minutes, on-line  But Toronto was a transit for me... Don't know how it works when you fly out there - check with air company.

 

Know nothing about Philippines, but you can have this document printed with you, just in case...

 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Carrier Information Guide- English.pdf

p. 9-10 & p.38

 

But I still believe you shouldn't have any troubles with boarding - so many people now travel around the world with this "combo" - ext.Letter and expired green card... So seems like most air companies are familiar with this 

 

Currently it takes more than a year to get your 10 years GC.

 

Good luck!!!

Edited October 3, 2017 by Ksenia_O

[dvensel1 5]

2 hours ago, Ksenia_O said:

Hi
I just got back from Ukraine, with and Extension Letter and expired green card,  and my return flight was through Germany and  Toronto.  

So, yes, they DO recognize an Extension Letter - no worries. 

 

the only thing - you should check Canada travel requirements.

I had to apply for eTA (electronic travel authorization),  as a resident of USA, but not a Canadian citizen. Costs $7 and takes 5 minutes, on-line  But Toronto was a transit for me... Don't know how it works when you fly out there - check with air company.

 

Know nothing about Philippines, but you can have this document printed with you, just in case...

 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Carrier Information Guide- English.pdf

p. 9-10 & p.38

 

But I still believe you shouldn't have any troubles with boarding - so many people now travel around the world with this "combo" - ext.Letter and expired green card... So seems like most air companies are familiar with this 

 

Currently it takes more than a year to get your 10 years GC.

 

Good luck!!!

Thanks!  This was a lot of help.  We'll be driving up into Canada from New York, flying out from Montreal and then later returning to Montreal from San Francisco by plane and driving home back to NY state.  In other words, we'll actually be leaving the airport in Montreal and heading down the road home.  I may drive up to the border and ask the folks at the crossing station directly.  We're only 10 miles from there.

I'm hoping someone similar has been through it too so we can see how it was handled by them.    I've tried contacting the Philippine B of I but nothing from them so far.  Has anyone else done this in the Philippines?  Would we or could we have problems when we try to board a plane in Manila to fly into the USA?  Do they recognize the NOA 797 form too and my wife's extension?  Anyone??

 

[Ksenia_O 696]

9 minutes ago, dvensel1 said:

Thanks!  This was a lot of help.  We'll be driving up into Canada from New York, flying out from Montreal and then later returning to Montreal from San Francisco by plane and driving home back to NY state.  In other words, we'll actually be leaving the airport in Montreal and heading down the road home.  I may drive up to the border and ask the folks at the crossing station directly.  We're only 10 miles from there.

I'm hoping someone similar has been through it too so we can see how it was handled by them.    I've tried contacting the Philippine B of I but nothing from them so far.  Has anyone else done this in the Philippines?  Would we or could we have problems when we try to board a plane in Manila to fly into the USA?  Do they recognize the NOA 797 form too and my wife's extension?  Anyone??

 

If your return flight from Philippines goes to Canada, she'll definitely need to apply for eTA.

 

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-facts-en.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas-result.asp?q2=yes&country=PH&result=4

 

Again, you are in "mercy" of Air company - they will decide to let your wife boarding or not.. Try to reach them. If not - print a guide I linked you above, in my previous msg.  And just have it with you...in case if you need to "educate" a ground stuff of Air 

Company.  But I'm almost positive you'll be just fine  - they have already learnt what an Extension Letter stands for

 

Good luck!!!

[broppy 204]

On 10/3/2017 at 9:41 AM, Ksenia_O said:

Know nothing about Philippines, but you can have this document printed with you, just in case...

 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Carrier Information Guide- English.pdf

p. 9-10 & p.38

 

That's a useful document for passengers flying into to US. If flying into Canada, though, you'll also want a copy of the Canadian equivalent - their Guide for Transporters. It clearly states that I-797 Notice of Action accompanied by the passenger's expired U.S. PR card can be used as proof of US residence and as such, a visa is not required to enter Canada.

[NikLR 13,227]

1 hour ago, broppy said:

That's a useful document for passengers flying into to US. If flying into Canada, though, you'll also want a copy of the Canadian equivalent - their Guide for Transporters. It clearly states that I-797 Notice of Action accompanied by the passenger's expired U.S. PR card can be used as proof of US residence and as such, a visa is not required to enter Canada.

They've recently updated things though and certain countries need an eTA if they're flying into Canada even as a US LPR. 

It's not difficult nor expensive to obtain and better safe than sorry.  

[Ksenia_O 696]

On 10/8/2017 at 6:54 AM, broppy said:

That's a useful document for passengers flying into to US. If flying into Canada, though, you'll also want a copy of the Canadian equivalent - their Guide for Transporters. It clearly states that I-797 Notice of Action accompanied by the passenger's expired U.S. PR card can be used as proof of US residence and as such, a visa is not required to enter Canada.

Visa has never been mentioned. Only an eTA. 

Sure, LPR of the US with a valid green card doesn't need a Canadian visa. That's why OP has been provided with other links that indicate that an eTA is required for  LPR of the US with a valid green card (if LPR is not Canadian or Canadian resident, of course  ) if you fly to or transit through Canada. Final destination is irrelevant. The clue is TO or THROUGH Canada.

 

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas-result.asp?q2=yes&country=PH&result=4

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-facts-en.asp

[broppy 204]

11 minutes ago, Ksenia_O said:

Visa has never been mentioned. Only an eTA. 

Sure, LPR of the US with a valid green card doesn't need a Canadian visa. That's why OP has been provided with other links that indicate that an eTA is required for  LPR of the US with a valid green card (if LPR is not Canadian or Canadian resident, of course  ) if you fly to or transit through Canada. Final destination is irrelevant. The clue is TO or THROUGH Canada.

Yes, I know, but I was pointing out the official documentation from CBSA that states they accept an expired green card with extension letter as proof of lawful US residence. It's quite possible that the airline staff in Manilla aren't quite as well informed and will attempt to deny boarding as OP's wife has an expired green card and no Canadian visa - with the Guide for Transporters, they can educate the airline staff and demonstrate that expired card + letter is good enough for entering or transiting Canada.

[Ksenia_O 696]

36 minutes ago, broppy said:

Yes, I know, but I was pointing out the official documentation from CBSA that states they accept an expired green card with extension letter as proof of lawful US residence. It's quite possible that the airline staff in Manilla aren't quite as well informed and will attempt to deny boarding as OP's wife has an expired green card and no Canadian visa - with the Guide for Transporters, they can educate the airline staff and demonstrate that expired card + letter is good enough for entering or transiting Canada.

You are right.... Unfortunately, sometimes it's pretty much on us, - to "educate" air company ground stuff, DMV, HR managers.... Will be so happy when our immigration journey is over!!!!.. Will celebrate, with a huge bonfire!! 

[NikLR 13,227]

10 hours ago, broppy said:

Yes, I know, but I was pointing out the official documentation from CBSA that states they accept an expired green card with extension letter as proof of lawful US residence. It's quite possible that the airline staff in Manilla aren't quite as well informed and will attempt to deny boarding as OP's wife has an expired green card and no Canadian visa - with the Guide for Transporters, they can educate the airline staff and demonstrate that expired card + letter is good enough for entering or transiting Canada.

That AND the eTA.  Just the card, and letter is not good enough. 

[broppy 204]

47 minutes ago, NikLR said:

That AND the eTA.  Just the card, and letter is not good enough. 

Yes! And eTA. Both you and Ksenia_O have been so good at mentioning it, I've skipped it twice.