For someone who has their eCOPR but is still waiting on the physical PR card, members confirmed the re-entry restriction when traveling to the US:
- You can travel to the US. Having a valid US visa and eCOPR is enough to make the trip.
- Re-entry to Canada is restricted to land border crossings. Without a physical PR card, airlines won't board you for a flight back into Canada — this is standard airline/CBSA policy for PRs without their card.
- You must return by a private vehicle at a land port of entry. Both replies agreed on this: re-entry works by road/private vehicle, not by air.
Takeaway: an eCOPR lets you leave for the US, but until your physical PR card arrives, plan your return trip as a land crossing in a private vehicle — don't book a return flight.