Confused about Permanent Residence Expiry

[CanUK333]

I am a little confused about Permanent Residence if approved. I thought that once you are approved and have Permanent Residence status, that you had it indefinitely. But today I read this in the guide:

"A permanent resident visa is issued for a period not extending beyond the earliest expiry date of the sponsored person’s (and any family members):

• medical results
• passports

Important information: Once issued, permanent resident visas can’t be extended. If applicants don’t use the visas within their validity period, they must re-apply for immigration to Canada. Their sponsor will have to submit a new sponsorship application and pay new processing fees."

So do you have to reapply for Permanent Residence status every time your passport expires? Can someone please explain this?

 

[shannonxtreme]

I am a little confused about Permanent Residence if approved. I thought that once you are approved and have Permanent Residence status, that you had it indefinitely. But today I read this in the guide:

"A permanent resident visa is issued for a period not extending beyond the earliest expiry date of the sponsored person’s (and any family members):

• medical results
• passports

Important information: Once issued, permanent resident visas can’t be extended. If applicants don’t use the visas within their validity period, they must re-apply for immigration to Canada. Their sponsor will have to submit a new sponsorship application and pay new processing fees."

So do you have to reapply for Permanent Residence status every time your passport expires? Can someone please explain this?

The Permanent Resident visa, which is stamped on your passport, allows you to travel to Canada as a permanent resident so you can get your PR card and "land". It is valid as long as your passport is valid.

Your PR card is your actual proof of PR status and is valid for 5 years before it must be renewed.

You cannot lose your PR status once you have landed unless you go through an official process and get rid of it.

Again, the PR visa is not proof of your PR status - it's permission to land in Canada and claim PR status.

 

[CanUK333]

The Permanent Resident visa, which is stamped on your passport, allows you to travel to Canada as a permanent resident so you can get your PR card and "land". It is valid as long as your passport is valid.

Your PR card is your actual proof of PR status and is valid for 5 years before it must be renewed.

You cannot lose your PR status once you have landed unless you go through an official process and get rid of it.

Again, the PR visa is not proof of your PR status - it's permission to land in Canada and claim PR status.

Oh, I see, so because we are applying INLAND, this doesn't apply to us anyway does it? So what you are saying is that once approved for PR status, you've got it forever, but it's just the physical card that needs renewing every 5 years?

 

[shannonxtreme]

Oh, I see, so because we are applying INLAND, this doesn't apply to us anyway does it? So what you are saying is that once approved for PR status, you've got it forever, but it's just the physical card that needs renewing every 5 years?

Yup, pretty much. I'd still recommend you schedule your landing appointment for before the visa expires.

But yeah, as long as you live in Canada for 730 days every 5 years (I think), and you aren't a criminal, your status is forever! Congratulations.

 

[CanUK333]

Yup, pretty much. I'd still recommend you schedule your landing appointment for before the visa expires.

But yeah, as long as you live in Canada for 730 days every 5 years (I think), and you aren't a criminal, your status is forever! Congratulations.

One last question if you don't mind. what happens when your passport expires after you get PR status? Is it somehow tied to your PR status, or are they separate documents? Can you just simply renew your passport without having to do anything with the PR card?

 

[shannonxtreme]

One last question if you don't mind. what happens when your passport expires after you get PR status? Is it somehow tied to your PR status, or are they separate documents? Can you just simply renew your passport without having to do anything with the PR card?

Your passport is not linked to your PR card/PR status. If your passport expires, get a new passport from your country's embassy. Ideally, you'd keep an eye on it and not let it expire. It won't affect your PR status.

If your PR card expires while you are in Canada, don't worry. You won't lose your PR status. Just apply to get a new PR card.

If your PR card expires and you're outside the country, you should get a Permanent Resident Travel Document issued from the Canadian Embassy for that country.

An expired passport doesn't affect PR status and neither does an expired PR card. The passport and PR card are also completely separate entities. The only thing their expiry affects is your ability to travel to and from Canada

Hope this helped!

 

[CanUK333]

Your passport is not linked to your PR card/PR status. If your passport expires, get a new passport from your country's embassy. Ideally, you'd keep an eye on it and not let it expire. It won't affect your PR status.

If your PR card expires while you are in Canada, don't worry. You won't lose your PR status. Just apply to get a new PR card.

If your PR card expires and you're outside the country, you should get a Permanent Resident Travel Document issued from the Canadian Embassy for that country.

An expired passport doesn't affect PR status and neither does an expired PR card. The passport and PR card are also completely separate entities. The only thing their expiry affects is your ability to travel to and from Canada

Hope this helped!

VERY helpful. Thank you for clarifying.