LPR travel to Canada by car with green card only?

[jxn 86]

There are a lot of threads on this topic and usually people provide partial answers. I'm wondering, as of 2015, if an LPR can enter Canada from the U.S. by car with just a green card and without a passport.

This suggests that they may ask to see a passport and that it is recommended (not required) that permanent residents carry a passport.

I will tell my friend to bring her expired foreign passport along with her green card but I just want to know about any clear-cut statements from Canada that may clarify as well as personal anecdotes regarding overland travel in the last year or so. Thanks!

[LiliBurd 85]

Yes a valid passport is required as well as her green card.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=593&t=16

[Cathi 5,771]

A valid passport is required.

[sukhi4498 1]

No problem just have ur Green card and passport I have been to Toronto so many times with these 2/things. So u won't b having any problem

[Lemonslice 4,898]

Green card is sufficient to travel by land. Call CBSA if you have questions, their 506-636... Number. I'm on my phone now, I do not have it handy.

[jxn 86]

To those saying a passport is necessary for green card holders, this suggests that that is NOT true. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x5

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html#_s2a

Edited May 7, 2015 by jxn

[LiliBurd 85]

To those saying a passport is necessary for green card holders, this suggests that that is NOT true. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x5

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html#_s2a

Learn something new everyday!

Let us know how it goes, and if she gets to visit without issues.

[jxn 86]

Yes a valid passport is required as well as her green card.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=593&t=16

I do have to admit this causes concern for me, since now there are official sources from the Canadian government clearly stating both extremesthat a passport is and is not required.

[Lemonslice 4,898]

CBSA number is 506 636 5064 - please do not hesitate to call them. I can assure you that most LPRs are accepted only with their green card [the ones that are not have other points raising concern with CBSA; entry is never guaranteed unless you are Canadian - same as for any country]. Caution would be for OLD, like really old, cards, with no expiration date, sketchy motive for visit, etc.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Boston~Montreal

[Lemonslice 4,898]

At work, got the document on WHTI which defines the rules if entry for/between USS and Canada (pdf warning)

www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/whti_landsea_faq.pdf

What are the document requirements for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents?

U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents are still required to present a valid permanent

resident card (Form I-551), or other valid evidence of permanent residence status. A

passport is not required.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Boston~Montreal

[CowBoE 429]

You know...the problem is officials at the border on both sides is that...

1) border agents vary in knowledge and understanding

2) some are through and some are not

3) some may suspect something and may want more evidence

So I think it's good to know the law, but its also better to play safe...

We are planning a trip to Niagara Falls sometime in the future (after her GC)

and we plan to take...

For her...

1) GC

2) Chinese Passport

3) Driver's license

For me...

1) Driver's license

2) US passport

For us...

1) Marriage certificate

[jxn 86]

You know...the problem is officials at the border on both sides is that...

1) border agents vary in knowledge and understanding

2) some are through and some are not

3) some may suspect something and may want more evidence

So I think it's good to know the law, but its also better to play safe...

We are planning a trip to Niagara Falls sometime in the future (after her GC)

and we plan to take...

For her...

1) GC

2) Chinese Passport

3) Driver's license

For me...

1) Driver's license

2) US passport

For us...

1) Marriage certificate

I agree about the importance of covering your bases and I would normally tell my friends not to take the chance, despite reading official confirmation that an LPR can visit Canada by car with only a green card.

The circumstances, however, are that my friend already prepaid part of a weekend trip and just realized her passport is expired. The relatively short drive makes her want to go regardless, since my wife and I will be going whether or not she joins us.

I'll keep you all posted.

[CowBoE 429]

I agree about the importance of covering your bases and I would normally tell my friends not to take the chance, despite reading official confirmation that an LPR can visit Canada by car with only a green card.

The circumstances, however, are that my friend already prepaid part of a weekend trip and just realized her passport is expired. The relatively short drive makes her want to go regardless, since my wife and I will be going whether or not she joins us.

I'll keep you all posted.

Oh I missed that point on your friend's passport being already expired.

The probability is probably pretty good that all will be OK with just the GC,

and at the worst, they will just hassle her a bit until they can verify her status.

About 20 years ago, my family drove from Chicago to Niagara Falls.

Getting into Canada was a breeze...as I don't even recall them checking

for any IDs at the time, but on the way back at Detroit, they detained us

because me and my wife had driver's license, but my 2 kids and my in-laws

didn't have any IDs.

So they kept us for questioning and asked all sorts of information like...

our address, when we got married, when we got naturalized, etc. etc.

and they finally let us go about 2 hours later.

They even asked me to name Chicago Bulls basketball team members,

and who was the 16th president...(how would I remember that???).

I said...maybe Lincoln???

[kellyh 27]

CBSA number is 506 636 5064 - please do not hesitate to call them. I can assure you that most LPRs are accepted only with their green card [the ones that are not have other points raising concern with CBSA; entry is never guaranteed unless you are Canadian - same as for any country]. Caution would be for OLD, like really old, cards, with no expiration date, sketchy motive for visit, etc.

Thanks Lemonslice!

I have the same question as my close friend holds a green card and an expired foreign passport. I really would like her to be here in Canada for my wedding in July. WIth the above info, I dialed 506 636 5064.

Just called CBSA and have confirmed that to travel to Canada by land, a green card and gov't issue photo ID is sufficient. It's all they need!

It is when you travel by Air that a passport is a MUST.

Now I just have to find out if there's any documents that is required when returning to USA. (besides green card & id)

If anyone have the answer to this, it would be greatly appreciated if you share. thanks in advanced!!!

Thanks Lemonslice!