Airlines, generally, use information contained in the TIMATIC database, provided by IATA to determine document requirements at check-in.

For example, for a US passport holder boarding a direct flight to Canada:
http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/ti...buser=DELTAB2C

Note that a "return/onward ticket" is only recommended. Therefore, an airline cannot insist on it.

We have had the same issue with Mrs. YYZer (Australian) not having her CIC card. Air Canada will tell you that if you are from a country that does not require a VISA to enter Canada, that they will allow you on-board the aircraft. This is specifically spelled out on their website (we also called Air Canada to verify that this was correct)

http://www.aircanada.ca/planning/before/traveldoc.html

"As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents from a non visa- waiver country who are returning to Canada will be required to provide the wallet-sized plastic Permanent Resident Card or a visa to re-enter Canada as the IMM1000 Record of Landing will no longer be acceptable. Without a valid PR Card or visa these passengers will not be permitted to board the aircraft and will need to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/v...tml#exemptions "

We travelled in March, and the only problem we had was getting on the plane to Cozumel (the ticket agents didn't know what to enter into the computer system when they asked for a PR card number). After a while, they let us on the plane. No trouble whatsoever coming back (getting on the plane). When we reached immigration, they simply looked at her passport, her IMM card, and let us in.





Check this site for more information and discussion.

http://www.settlement.org

I know this is an old post, do you know if a rental car is considered a commerical carrier that would require you to show your PR Card. I a newly landed immigrant to Canada and I have to travel back to the US for business. But I need to come back to Canada within the week. I was first thinking I could fly to Buffalo and take the bus but then I think it is also considered a commerical carrier. So besides my family coming to pick me up can I rent a rental car so I don't have to apply for the travel document with the Canada Visa's office in the state.

You need your passport and your PR card to get into Canada. Whether by bus, car or on foot via the Rainbow Bridge ...

I don't think a private rental car is a commercial carrier but you should phone up the rental agency directly to confirm.

Not sure if this answers the question, but see FAQ link below. I guess a quick call to clarify would be prudent.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...card-faq12.asp

Just make sure you rent a car with a CDN licence plate. Otherwise, you cannot enter Canada as a resident.

You absolutely DO NOT need a permanent resident card to cross a land border by car. We have an employee who refused to get their card and flys out of Bellingham all the time. Commercial Carrier is Boat, Plane, etc. Not a car. They might give you grief that you should have it, but it's not required. Couple of months ago I came into Vancouver on a cruise ship and didn't have mine, I had all my documentation that I was a landed immigrant and worried for weeks, they just waived me through.

Does it also help if I have a Nexus card, and what if used my Nexus card the next time I came through the airport customs. Or would I get in trouble using it after becoming a landed immigrant and not updating my status with Nexus? Just don't want to loose my PR status or my Nexus Card either.

Hi there,
I wanted to share my experience with you, since I had the same issue last week and after reading comment after comment, I decided to just gather up some courage and go and see what happens!
I'm not from a Visa-exempt country; in fact, Canada is very strict on the citizens of my country. I had my Immigrant Visa on my passport which was issued to me in order for me to complete my PR status. It was scratched up and there was a thin cut on it! And when I went on my trip, I asked people at home to mail me my PR card when it arrives but it took longer than the time stated, so when it was time for me to return to Canada, all I had was my Confirmation of PR and that scratched Visa.
The airline examined the visa and gave me my boarding pass, and in the connecting city, I passed border control with suspicious looks, but she still let me pass after scanning the visa and noticing it is not fake. I passed 3 passport control with that visa and no one questioned anything.
At Pearson, I told the officer that my card didn't arrive, but I still have my visa which hasn't yet expired, and my COPR. She was very nice and sent me to the second screening for visitors. The second officer was also nice. She told me I was lucky the airline let me in, but at our border, they're pretty lenient. She also said next time it won't be like this and I need to remember it. I just said, OK, sure, fine, thanks.... ;D and I entered Canada! I guess I was lucky, but as long as you can board the airplane and can pass passport control, I don't think the border would give you that much of a hard time.
Also, I had some other documents ready in case they needed to see them - my partner's passport photocopy, my lease, my income tax papers, etc. to prove I live here.