Canada’s “Green Card”

The popular Green Card is a United States status document that allows an individual to legally enter, reside and work in the US as a permanent resident. Canada’s own version of the “Green Card,” is known as the Canada Visa for US Green Card Holders Permanent Resident Card. In both cases, these immigration cards allow individuals to live and work in either Canada or the US, respectively.

To get a PR card, one must apply for Canadian permanent residency. Canada accepts more immigrants per capita than any other country in North America. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident, start by completing our online assessment form.

Canadian Permanent Resident Card vs American Green Card

The Canadian PR Card and American Green Card are both given to foreign-born individuals that immigrate to the countries but have not yet become a citizen.

One of the main differences between the Canadian PR card and the American Green Card is the rights given to the cardholders.

A Canadian PR Card is an identification and travel document for permanent residents. Canadian permanent residents are not required to hold their PR card and are granted rights that are not inherent to the card itself. The PR card is only required to re-enter if travelling outside of Canada.

The U.S., on the other hand, legally requires Green Card holders over 18 to always carry their cards with them. Green Card holders can be stopped by U.S. authorities at any time and asked to show their status document.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

There are many benefits of having permanent resident status in Canada. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, permanent residents have the right to live and work anywhere in Canada Visa for Bulgarian Citizens. Canadian permanent residents can move freely throughout the country and pursue employment options in any province.

Another benefit of permanent residency is the ability to sponsor their family if they are in Canada. This can be a great option for bringing one’s spouse or child that may be residing in another country. If an individual gives birth in Canada, that child will be given Canadian Citizenship. Permanent residents also have access to Canada’s universal healthcare services.

Canadian permanent residents are afforded many of the same rights as Canadian citizens and can apply for citizenship after living in Canada for just three years.

Maintaining Permanent Residency

Permanent residents are free to leave and re-enter Canada as they wish. However, it is important to note that, to main PR status, permanent residents must physically reside in Canada for at least 730 days for every 5-year period. These 730 days can be spread throughout the 5 years and do not need to be consecutive.

If a permanent resident does not stay in Canada for the allotted time, they may have their permanent residency revoked. When returning to Canada, permanent residents must present their permanent residency card to the visa officer.

Traveling to Canada by Land or Sea Directly From the U.S.

If you are traveling by land or sea, the only documents you’ll need are your proof of U.S. permanent resident status (like a green card). You do not need a travel visa, nor be part of a tour group. This is the easiest way to get into Canada and get a taste of the travel advantages of full citizenship.

Flying Into or Through Canada Requires a U.S. Passport

Canada is a foreign country, and like all foreign countries, you will need a valid passport to travel through the air internationally. Since you are not an American citizen yet, you will need to have a valid passport from your home country to use Canadian airports. Green card holders cannot obtain U.S. passports.

Once you become a full U.S. citizen through naturalization, you can apply for a U.S. passport and use that instead of your current one. You also need one more piece of documentation. You must file an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) with the Canadian government.

Do I Need a Visa to Go to Canada If I Have a Green Card?

No visa is required to simply travel to Canada if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a green card. Generally, permanent residents are allowed to travel to Canada freely and remain for a 6-month stay. You can also apply for an extension if you want to stay longer.

Entering the country as a visitor does not allow you to work in Canada or study for an extended period of time. To work or study, you may be required to get a special immigration permit.

What Is an Electronic Travel Authorization?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is similar to a visa but for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling by air to Canada. Similar to how other travel documents work, the eTA is linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Once you have an eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want and stay up to six months. The cost of getting an eTA is CAD $7 and you can apply online. You will need your passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card.

Note that eTA approval does not mean you can get into Canada! Green hard holders must still present their green card and passport to the border officer and answer their questions.

A Common eTA Mistake

One mistake that can get you turned away at the border is to have an incorrect passport number on your eTA form. The number you need to use is at the top of the main passport information page. This is the page that has your photo on it. Use the eTA help guide for more information.

What Else Do I Need To Do to Travel to Canada?

The Canadian Government has an app and website called ArriveCAN. This tool gives you information about the current travel restrictions and requirements to enter and stay in Canada. You can also get informed on the latest pandemic travel restrictions.

As of this writing, Canada is requiring all travelers to enter their travel plans into ArriveCAN within 72 hours before they enter the country. This is likely to help with tracing any coronavirus cases. Please look at ArriveCAN for the latest information for green card holders traveling to Canada.

Will Traveling to Canada Affect My Permanent Resident Status?

International travel as a permanent resident won’t put your green card at risk. If you plan on staying abroad for longer than a year, you will need to fill out several essential forms and ensure that your re-entry to the U.S. is as smooth as possible.

If the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) deems that your stay abroad constitutes abandoning the U.S. as your primary home, your green card may get revoked. While the vast majority of trips don’t have any issues, if you need to travel for more than a year, it is advisable to get a reentry permit to protect your green card status.

Make the Proper Arrangements Before You Travel to Canada

Even though you don’t need a visa to travel to Canada as a green card holder, you should still make proper arrangements to ensure that nothing goes wrong, such as:

• Ensuring that your green card is valid for the duration of travel
• Getting an advance parole (Form I-131) to travel outside the U.S. if you’re currently waiting for your green card with a pending I-485
• Having all your travel documents and authorizations organized and secure before and during your trip

As long as you take the proper steps, you can avoid many risks and any potential problems arising from traveling with your permanent resident status.

Travel Internationally Worry-Free

Canada is one country where the United States green card holders don’t need a visa to enter. However, if you are visiting anywhere else globally, you may need to fill out paperwork and several applications to get cleared. If you’re planning a trip soon, FileRight can help you get started today.