expired passport

[stronghold]

Hey guys, wanted to know if it's ok to enter Canada with an expired passport? I've searched online and it seems that there won't be a problem. A friend of mine is about to leave hk (has an hk id, so she can leave hk no problem) but is worried that she won't be able to enter Canada with her expired Canadian passport.

Thanks.

[bilibulu]

I'm sure if she managed to get to Canadian soil, she would be allowed in. But she might have problem with the airlines. They probably would not allow her to board the aircraft unless the agent didn't notice the expiry date of her passport.

[HighFlyer]

with most airlines scanning passports for API purposes, it's likely to be flagged by the airlines' computer.

[Hairball]

The problem is the airline might not let her board the plane (or even check in). If she is still in Hong Kong she should go to the Canadian consulate to get a new passport.

[stronghold]

can't she use her hk id to check in at the airport? and then use the canadian passport once she arrives at canadian customs?

[Hairball]

can't she use her hk id to check in at the airport? and then use the canadian passport once she arrives at canadian customs?

Checking in for a flight requires an appropriate document for the destination. A Hong Kong identity card is not good enough to enter Canada. If she has another passport such as an HKSAR one which does not require a visa to enter Canada, that might be possible. But if the airline checks for a return ticket out of Canada, and she does not have one, they won't let her board.

At a Canadian border point, probably the expired passport would be fine, but the airline might not let her get there. Airlines are fined heavily for transporting passengers that don't have the right documents so they might not take the risk.

[Badger]

can't she use her hk id to check in at the airport? and then use the canadian passport once she arrives at canadian customs?

As the others have said. The airline agent will usually scan your passport at the counter. Other than that, you only need the HKID to pass through immigration in Hong Kong. They may check for your passport once again before boarding.

Off topic here, but there have been cases of illegal passports being distributed to individuals after passing through security checkpoint. Those smuggling/forgery groups are quite active in airports.