CDN returning to Canada with foreign passport

[goodyear]

I have dual nationality and have been traveling in the past with my Canadian passport. However, that passport expired in October and I would like to apply for a new one in 2013 when the government releases the new 10 year expiry "smart" passport.

So..my question is: If I travel over Christmas, can I get back into Canada using my foreign passport? Or will I get too much grief from the CBSA agents?

Thanks

[Canada 02]

citizens of other countries enter Canada all the time with their foreign passports, so it's not obvious to me what the challenges are, however:

Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publi...al-citizenship

interesting question, as I am contemplating getting American citizenship

[polak]

I know that the lady in Poland freaked out when I handed her my Polish passport on my return trip to Canada and she didn't see a Visa. I guess if you can prove you're Canadian it wouldn't make sense for it to be an issue. But yeah, I'd definitely expect delays...

[sureLoss]

A foreign passport without a visa will most likely cause the customs officer to hold you until he can confirm that you are a Canadian citizen.

You will need to carry something else that proves you are a citizen.

[Jimmy Stang]

When I returned from the UK back in 2006, my Canadian passport was out of date so I used my UK passport. I did get some grief from the CBSA people because essentially I was treated as a British citizen, so they wanted to know the purpose of my visit and that sort of thing. I explained that I am Canadian and they asked me to prove that I was a permanent resident of Canada and not just a citizen. My UK passport does list my birthplace (Calgary).

I offered to show my license with my home address - not good enough. Canadian credit cards? Nope. Student ID card? Nope. I was told that I would need to show a landed immigrant card (not applicable to me) or a Canadian passport.

Eventually they relented after a bit of a grilling from the CBSA guy, but it was certainly an odd experience standing in the airport of the city of my birth and where I have lived my entire life, and contemplating not being allowed in! They strongly suggested that I renew my Canadian passport and use it for returning to Canada, which I have since done.

Don't take this as the gospel because I'm not sure if I got an overly zealous agent who just wanted to make things difficult. But yes, I did get back in. But no, it wasn't as easy as it should have been.

[Jimmy Stang]

To add: If I was ever in the situation again where my Canadian passport was lapsed, I would actually try and call the CBSA and get some information directly from them on my scenario. I'm sure there must be a way to find out exactly what you'll need to prove citizenship, residency, or whatever else they'll want to know.

[MrCallahan]

Why not just go through the renewal process right now? you'll get your passport back in 2 weeks. I just did mine, and it came in the mail quite fast. Even though your passport is expired, I believe you get some slack on the time required to renew it.

Fill out the renewal form, get your pictures, and you're good to go!
http://www.ppt.gc.ca/info/ren.aspx?lang=eng

[Jimmy Stang]

^ The OP would like to wait until the new passports start being issued in the new year which will last for 10 years instead of 5.

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

^ The OP would like to wait until the new passports start being issued in the new year which will last for 10 years instead of 5.

Aren't they increasing in price next year also?

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm confused about what the issue is. Can't you just say you're a tourist and are visiting family? I know lots of people who come to Canada and aren't citizens. All it takes is a few minutes in customs. Why do you have to prove you are a citizen?

[normtwofinger]

Are the new passports going to be automatically larger? I believe most countries only have a 48 page version. My 24 page is almost full and I still have 3 years left before expiry.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm confused about what the issue is. Can't you just say you're a tourist and are visiting family? I know lots of people who come to Canada and aren't citizens. All it takes is a few minutes in customs. Why do you have to prove you are a citizen?

Yes you could lie and say you are visiting. I wouldn't recommend it though, if you are caught there could be legal ramifications and even if you bypass those you could be flagged every time you enter the country.

The problem is if a person comes with a foreign passport and says they are living in Canada without a valid visa. At this point it looks like the person is trying to immigrate to Canada illegally.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

You could apply for a Nexus card. Then you don't have to talk to anyone after entering Canada. You could probably get an appointment in about 2-3 weeks if you jump in on a cancellation. Cost is $50 for 5 years ($10/year).

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes you could lie and say you are visiting. I wouldn't recommend it though, if you are caught there could be legal ramifications and even if you bypass those you could be flagged every time you enter the country.

The problem is if a person comes with a foreign passport and says they are living in Canada without a valid visa. At this point it looks like the person is trying to immigrate to Canada illegally.

I guess I misunderstood the original post. It only says that he has been travelling with Canadian passport, not that he currently resides in Canada (which a lot of dual citizens do even if they don't live in Canada).

When he said that he wants to travel at Christmas and "get back into Canada", I assumed he meant travel to Canada from where ever he is living now - which would make him a legitimate tourist. Even now when I read it, it isn't clear.

edit: Although "Calgary, AB" in his location should have been a give away I guess.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by goodyear

I have dual nationality and have been traveling in the past with my Canadian passport. However, that passport expired in October and I would like to apply for a new one in 2013 when the government releases the new 10 year expiry "smart" passport.

So..my question is: If I travel over Christmas, can I get back into Canada using my foreign passport? Or will I get too much grief from the CBSA agents?

Thanks

I would renew your passport now. You really aren't saving anything by waiting for the new 10 year passport. According to my wife (who is a Passport Officer) the new 10 year passport fee will increase from the current $87 to $200.

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Are the new passports going to be automatically larger? I believe most countries only have a 48 page version. My 24 page is almost full and I still have 3 years left before expiry.

I believe the new passports will increase in size to 36 pages. For those who travel a lot, and fill up their passports quickly, the 5 year passports will still be available after 2013.

[ma-skis.com]

sounds like it'd be easiest to just lie and say you're only staying 3 weeks to visit until you go back to your ex-patriot home... then you just stay forever.

[Jimmy Stang]

The UK has had 10-year biometric passports for some time. I believe that my renewal was $216 last time around, so $200 sounds about right. Plus Rerun's wife "is in the know".

Given the price difference, the only thing that you'd be saving is the "hassle" of renewing in 5 years instead of 10. I'm not sure that it makes it worth the potentially bigger hassle of trying to get back in as, technically speaking, a foreigner.

[Domoic]

Originally Posted by goodyear

...in 2013 when the government releases the new 10 year expiry "smart" passport...

Can anyone provide a link to confirm this?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by ma-skis.com

sounds like it'd be easiest to just lie and say you're only staying 3 weeks to visit until you go back to your ex-patriot home... then you just stay forever.

Until they start asking where you're staying (and to prove it), when your return ticket is for (and to prove it), etc. The last thing that you want is to be denied entry into the country in which you live and work because of a lie.

[Jimmy Stang]

This thread has reminded me of the new show "Border Security" on National Geographic. It follows Canadian border guards in Vancouver who go about their business as people and goods enter by air, land, and sea. Interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes and some of the flaky people who they have to deal with.

It airs on Thursdays, if you're into that kind of thing. It's actually pretty good.