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The airlines have their protocols for checking in passengers for flights to the US and if no passport is produced, no boarding passes will be issued. CBP preclearacne in Toronto will not interfere with the airlines protocols.
However driving across to/from Canada only a green card is necessary. Google Western Hemisphere travel initiative.
You're right to a point but if traveling by air:
"Although Customs and Border Protection will accept a valid Permanent Resident card in lieu of a passport, commercial carriers may have their own regulations. Should you wish to depart or re-enter the USA on your Permanent Resident card, please check in advance with your commercial carrier."
Thanks for all the information everyone. I've decided that I'm just going to drive across the border and not take any chances with trying to fly to Canada. My trip is in 2 weeks. So once I get back I'll give an update on my experience!
As a US citizen (former Canadian) and now residing in Mexico as a Tourist/Resident have a US Passport card for easy re-entry into the US.
The card specifys that it is only to be used for land border crossing and NOT for any airplane use.
Would imagine the Green Card has the same function.
They're useful for US citizens as they take the place of a more bulky passport but of course a GC holder can't obtain one. The only country into which a GC holder can cross into without a passport is Canada because of a reciprocal agreement - otherwise we have to carry our passports as well since the GC only shows proof of eligibility to re-renter the US.
"Although Customs and Border Protection will accept a valid Permanent Resident card in lieu of a passport, commercial carriers may have their own regulations. Should you wish to depart or re-enter the USA on your Permanent Resident card, please check in advance with your commercial carrier."
CBP preclearance will often state to the airlines, issue a boarding pass as if we are not here. Invariably, they will require a passport.
Thanks for all the information everyone. I've decided that I'm just going to drive across the border and not take any chances with trying to fly to Canada. My trip is in 2 weeks. So once I get back I'll give an update on my experience!
Thanks again!
Racks
Hey Racks11479, how did it go? Were you able to travel to Canada and back only green card and no passport?
When we went to visit Montreal a month back, we were asked for our passports while entering Canada (we drove) and on the way back while entering US we were asked only for our GC. Hope this helps someone.
When we went to visit Montreal a month back, we were asked for our passports while entering Canada (we drove) and on the way back while entering US we were asked only for our GC. Hope this helps someone.
Thanks Ramaka!
Did you have your passport with you? I'm wondering would have you been able to enter Canada without showing your passport.
Did you have your passport with you? I'm wondering would have you been able to enter Canada without showing your passport.
Hi Vardges:
I am not sure if we would have been allowed to enter Canada if we did not have our passports, but I am ASSUMING it should not be a problem, since after looking at the passport the POE agent asked what status we were in US and once we said GC/PR no further questions were asked and we were let in. But better to carry the passport if you have one would be the safest bet.
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