Residency obligations while not residing in Canada and renewing PR card

[trynasponsor]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen who has been working abroad in the UK for the past 4 years and my British wife has been accompanying me throughout. My wife became a PR over 5 years ago. Her PR card has expired and she now requires a PR temporary travel document to enter Canada. Once that is done, she will then have to enter Canada to apply to renew her PR card, but the issue is, that we are both living together and working abroad. If she does go through with getting the temp travel document, coming to Canada, and applying for PR card renewal, will she need to stay in Canada? If not, is there a requirement for visiting the IRCC in person during the application or to collect the card?

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen who has been working abroad in the UK for the past 4 years and my British wife has been accompanying me throughout. My wife became a PR over 5 years ago. Her PR card has expired and she now requires a PR temporary travel document to enter Canada. Once that is done, she will then have to enter Canada to apply to renew her PR card, but the issue is, that we are both living together and working abroad. If she does go through with getting the temp travel document, coming to Canada, and applying for PR card renewal, will she need to stay in Canada? She and I are both full time employees abroad and would not be able to stay for long within Canada. Will there also be a requirement for visiting the IRCC in person in this circumstance?

Thank you.

She will not need to stay in Canada while the PR card is being processed.

However the renewed PR card will need to be mailed to a Canadian address. Also, there is some chance they may request an in person pick up on which case she would need to travel to Canada and visit IRCC offices in person.

 

[trynasponsor]

She will not need to stay in Canada while the PR card is being processed.

However the renewed PR card will need to be mailed to a Canadian address. Also, there is some chance they may request an in person pick up on which case she would need to travel to Canada and visit IRCC offices in person.

The issue would be with the latter scenario, since the temporary travel document is only valid for one trip back to Canada. Would she have to reapply for another temporary travel document just to go to this IRCC in person meeting?

 

[scylla]

The issue would be with the latter scenario, since the temporary travel document is only valid for one trip back to Canada. Would she have to reapply for another temporary travel document just to go to this IRCC in person meeting?

It depends. Sometimes a PRTD is issued as multiple entry. She could also fly to the US with an ESTA and enter Canada through a land border using a private vehicle. Then she doesn't need the PRTD. Failing those two options, she would need a new PRTD.

 

[trynasponsor]

Thank you very much, that answers that.

 

[Besram]

It may make more sense to apply for a multiple entry PRTD instead of a new PR card, provided you are planning on staying abroad and your wife will only be visiting Canada on occasion. Otherwise, as discussed in the posts above, there is a chance your wife might have to make two trips to Canada just to get the new PR card, which is a considerable monetary and time investment.

Note the information on validity of multiple entry PRTDs below.

Important information: A PRTD is issued for a single entry or multiple entry to Canada. If you meet the residency obligation and are requesting a multiple entry PRTD, you may include a cover letter that explains your circumstances with your application for consideration.​

​

Note: Multiple entry PRTDs cannot extend beyond the expiry date of your passport.​

​

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5529-applying-permanent-resident-travel-document.html​

 

[canuck78]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen who has been working abroad in the UK for the past 4 years and my British wife has been accompanying me throughout. My wife became a PR over 5 years ago. Her PR card has expired and she now requires a PR temporary travel document to enter Canada. Once that is done, she will then have to enter Canada to apply to renew her PR card, but the issue is, that we are both living together and working abroad. If she does go through with getting the temp travel document, coming to Canada, and applying for PR card renewal, will she need to stay in Canada? If not, is there a requirement for visiting the IRCC in person during the application or to collect the card?

Thank you.

Assume you and your wife established a life in Canada after getting her PR before moving abroad to her home country. Ask to be considered for a multiple entry PRTD as someone has suggested.

 

[trynasponsor]

It may make more sense to apply for a multiple entry PRTD instead of a new PR card, provided you are planning on staying abroad and your wife will only be visiting Canada on occasion. Otherwise, as discussed in the posts above, there is a chance your wife might have to make two trips to Canada just to get the new PR card, which is a considerable monetary and time investment.

Note the information on validity of multiple entry PRTDs below.

Important information: A PRTD is issued for a single entry or multiple entry to Canada. If you meet the residency obligation and are requesting a multiple entry PRTD, you may include a cover letter that explains your circumstances with your application for consideration.​

​

Note: Multiple entry PRTDs cannot extend beyond the expiry date of your passport.​

​

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5529-applying-permanent-resident-travel-document.html​

That's an excellent point. The most ideal scenario would be for the PRTD to be valid until the expiration of my wife's passport as it expires in 2029.

 

[dpenabill]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen who has been working abroad in the UK for the past 4 years and my British wife has been accompanying me throughout. My wife became a PR over 5 years ago. Her PR card has expired and she now requires a PR temporary travel document to enter Canada. Once that is done, she will then have to enter Canada to apply to renew her PR card, but the issue is, that we are both living together and working abroad. If she does go through with getting the temp travel document, coming to Canada, and applying for PR card renewal, will she need to stay in Canada? If not, is there a requirement for visiting the IRCC in person during the application or to collect the card?

Thank you.

In addition to observations offered by @scylla and @Besram . . . if your spouse is a British citizen it should be easy for them to travel to the U.S. and then use land transportation to travel to Canada. To enter Canada at a land crossing a PR can use an expired PR card or other documentation establishing identity sufficient for CBSA officials to confirm PR status in GCMS system. No need to make the application for a PR Travel Document.

Moreover, it is not necessary to apply for a new PR card unless and until your spouse is planning and ready to relocate to live in Canada. As long as your spouse continues to comply with the PR Residency Obligation there should be no issues with continuing status. Visiting Canada can be facilitated by traveling via the U.S. or as others have noted, by obtaining a PR TD valid for multiple entries.