Traveling in and out of Canada as a Permanent resident

Once you land in Canada as a permanent resident, there are a few things you need to take care of!

What is a permanent resident card?

At the time of landing in Canada for the 1st time, you just have the confirmation of permanent residence (CoPR). Post landing, each member of your family will be given a plastic card i.e. PR card. This is important for you to be able to travel in and out of Canada.

What should you take care of at the time of your very 1st landing in Canada?

1. The officer will ask you the address where the PR card is to be sent. Make sure that the address is captured for every member of your family. 
2. In my case, although my husband and I stated the same address, his card arrived but mine didn't. It turned out that the officer didn't copy the address for me.
3. There is a Cic site where you can check the estimate of the new card to arrive. So if you arrived say on May 1st and the current estimate is say 60 days then you should get your card should arrive by July 1st.

What should you do in case your card doesn't arrive by the estimated time?

1. The online application might not allow you to find out the exact status of your application for 1st permanent resident card.
2. You can call the IRCC and follow the prompts to talk to a representative. 
3. You need to make sure that your Canadian phone number and address is correctly updated. This is important so that your card is mailed to the correct address. 

What should you do if you have to travel outside the country before you receive your PR card?

If you have to travel outside Canada and do not have your PR card yet, you have 2 options -

1. You can't board a commercial carrier like an airplane but can travel by road with your CoPR. This would be an option if you can get to the US- Canada border and rent a car.

2. If you have to be outside Canada for months then you can obtain a travel document to be able to re-enter Canada on the basis of CoPR. 

One of the popular destinations outside Canada is USA. One of frequently asked questions is how to procure a visitor visa for the same. Having a PR card can ease the process. 

1. USA issues the B1/B2 visa. B1 is the sub-category for business visa. B2 is the sub-category for tourism. You get both visas if you apply for either.
2. It is important to understand what B1 visa is. It is meant only for attending business meetings. You are not getting paid extra salary for your trip. This is meant to be short trip.
3. This is different from H1B visa because it is not an American position. You are going there to help/meet/collaborate with your American counterparts for short periodof time i.e. few weeks.
4. Now, if you have the Canadian PR card it helps because they know that you have a reason to come back to Canada from USA.i
5. We had our B1/B2 visa interview after we got our card. During the visa interview, the officer saw that we already had h1b visa before and were applying for B1/B2 visa. When we explained our situation i.e. we immigrated to Canada when we got PR card, they were convinced. Carry your documents of previous visas like i797 since you might have had an extension after your latest stamping. 
6. The B1/B2 visa is issued for 10 years and as part of the interview,  they try to find our if you know what the meaning of the visa is.
7. In the Halifax US consulate, we saw 2 types of cases, that got grilled more. One was that people didn't apply for the correct visa depending on their need. The other was if people didn't have a PR card, the officer grilled the applicants about their education,  future plans and immediate relatives in the US.
8. For B1/B2 visa, the USCIS website has all the information.  Personal experience is for B1 visa, a letter from your employer makes them ask lesser questions. 

Subsequent travel experience to US from Halifax, Canada with a PR card

1. The customs and port of entry process for USA is done in Halifax, NS itself. So if you are rejected then you would know in Canada itself.
2. Customs was easy if you have nothing yo declare.  You fill information in a kiosk and then if cleared, you will do the port of entry.
3. Port of entry has the same set of questions like your B1/B2 visa interview.  At the time of interview the officer would have made notes on your history. Based on that at the port of entry, you have you make sure that your story is the same. They specifically ask you your intent to use H1B in future. Truthfully state the same. Start with the fact that you have Canadian PR.  If your trip is business and you have a return ticket then state the same. If it is vacation then state the same. Either ways if you convince the officer that your trip is short term then you are good.

Traveling back to Canada from US with PR card via airplane 

1. You have to scan your PR card to get your boarding pass. That's why they don't accept the COPR document to be able to fly into Canada. 
2. At the gate in the US airport they just look at your PR card to let you into Canada. 
3. At the Canadian airport again at entry, you should scan your PR card and then do customs.  
4. If you have bought items with a net worth of above a certain limit then you gotta declare it. If not, you are allowed to go thru.
5. I had bought some souvenirs under 1000 CAD and I didn't have to declare anything. 
6. I was in and out of the airport in 10 minutes just with my PR card. It was so unlike my experience in the US.

Hope this helps you understand the process of procuring the permanent resident card better! It will help you travel in and out of Canada easily.  Happy Travels!!