PR card lost during citizenship application

[chelavnzuo]

Hi I might have misplaced my PR card (90% sure it's somewhere at home) and will need to apply for a replacement through the PR Portal, which is fine, but would like to understand a few implications:

1. I'm age 65+ and will not take the language and knowledge tests, however will I still be requested for interview? if so what is the average waiting time between AOR and the 65+ interview date?
2. Overall what are some of the general implications/concerns or potential delay that could be triggered from misplacing my PR card during the citizenship process?

The reason to ask question#1 is that I wanted to know if I should still spend some time to search for the card at home or I should just go straight for replacement application, in hope of getting the replacement before the interview or any event that requires the card.
The reason to ask question#2 is just for my own understanding and preparation on how to explain to the IRCC officers about my carelessness...

Many thanks in advance!

 

[forw.jane]

Hi I might have misplaced my PR card (90% sure it's somewhere at home) and will need to apply for a replacement through the PR Portal, which is fine, but would like to understand a few implications:

1. I'm age 65+ and will not take the language and knowledge tests, however will I still be requested for interview? if so what is the average waiting time between AOR and the 65+ interview date?
2. Overall what are some of the general implications/concerns or potential delay that could be triggered from misplacing my PR card during the citizenship process?

The reason to ask question#1 is that I wanted to know if I should still spend some time to search for the card at home or I should just go straight for replacement application, in hope of getting the replacement before the interview or any event that requires the card.
The reason to ask question#2 is just for my own understanding and preparation on how to explain to the IRCC officers about my carelessness...

Many thanks in advance!

For 2. If you don't intend to travel outside of Canada you don't need to apply for a PR card. During oath you need to cut you PR card. As you will not have one you need to fill this form instead - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/solemn-declaration-lost-stolen-destroyed-never-received-permanent-resident-card.html

This will be mentioned in your oath email too.

 

[chelavnzuo]

For 2. If you don't intend to travel outside of Canada you don't need to apply for a PR card. During oath you need to cut you PR card. As you will not have one you need to fill this form instead - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/solemn-declaration-lost-stolen-destroyed-never-received-permanent-resident-card.html

This will be mentioned in your oath email too.

Thank you very much for your kind help.

One follow-up question, after I fill this form (imm5451e), it seems I should submit this to CIC by mail or fax. After that what will happen, will they send me an acknowledgement letter? I just wanted to know if I go to the oath without the card, should I at least bring some sort of evidence to show that I have submitted this form already?

Thank you again

 

[forw.jane]

Thank you very much for your kind help.

One follow-up question, after I fill this form (imm5451e), it seems I should submit this to CIC by mail or fax. After that what will happen, will they send me an acknowledgement letter? I just wanted to know if I go to the oath without the card, should I at least bring some sort of evidence to show that I have submitted this form already?

Thank you again

No you have to do it during oath not before it. So wait for oath email which will have all the above details.

 

[LongBill]

1. I'm age 65+ and will not take the language and knowledge tests, however will I still be requested for interview? if so what is the average waiting time between AOR and the 65+ interview date?

I also am 65+, became a PR at 69 (spousal) and have just been granted citizenship. I also was exempt from taking the test, I forgot that I was also exempt from the language requirement. I was never called for an interview. The only interaction I ever had with IRCC was through the portal. This was a bit disappointing, I've never had an interview with IRCC. Even my Oath ceremony was "virtual" In my case it took about 5 months from submitting my application to the oath ceremony.

 

[chelavnzuo]

I also am 65+, became a PR at 69 (spousal) and have just been granted citizenship. I also was exempt from taking the test, I forgot that I was also exempt from the language requirement. I was never called for an interview. The only interaction I ever had with IRCC was through the portal. This was a bit disappointing, I've never had an interview with IRCC. Even my Oath ceremony was "virtual" In my case it took about 5 months from submitting my application to the oath ceremony.

If I may ask 2 follow-up questions if you don't mind:
1. did you apply for the citizenship during the covid period or recently? I'm curious if the "virtual" ceremony was just a covid thing or a norm now.
2. what did you do with your PR card during the "virtual" ceremony, did they ask you to cut it in front the camera or something like that?

 

[LongBill]

If I may ask 2 follow-up questions if you don't mind:
1. did you apply for the citizenship during the covid period or recently? I'm curious if the "virtual" ceremony was just a covid thing or a norm now.
2. what did you do with your PR card during the "virtual" ceremony, did they ask you to cut it in front the camera or something like that?

1 - I applied for citizenship in October, 2024. So, post-covid. The virtual oath ceremonies were introduced during the initial pandemic. I guess they worked very well for the IRCC because they are now the primary format, in-person ceremonies are not scheduled as often. I was offered the opportunity to attend an in-person ceremony but I wanted to obtain citizenship without delay. Have you seen this page regarding the oath ceremonies? https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony/video.html

2 - Yes, my PR card was cut into 4 pieces during the virtual ceremony. This was done in an individual live session (the whole thing is done using the "zoom" platform). An IRCC person asked to view my PR card and other identification (I held the front and back of each card/ID close to the camera on my laptop). Then they instructed me to cut the PR card as they watched. The pieces were not required to be sent back to them.

The morning of my ceremony was up early anyway, and I discovered many videos on YouTube where people posted their ceremony day. I found these helpful. Note that due to IRCC regulations they could not show video of their actual oath ceremony on the screen of their computer. But they could show themselves from a second camera while they ceremony proceeded.

 

[LongBill]

If I may ask 2 follow-up questions if you don't mind:
1. did you apply for the citizenship during the covid period or recently? I'm curious if the "virtual" ceremony was just a covid thing or a norm now.
2. what did you do with your PR card during the "virtual" ceremony, did they ask you to cut it in front the camera or something like that?

Further info: At my (virtual) oath ceremony there were 132 people (a few families with multiple members) from 34 countries. I was in central Alberta and my IRCC office was in Calgary (where the invitation originated) but the presiding judge was in Winnipeg. No idea where the other 131 people were located. I could see the video feed of the other applicants during most of the ceremony; some portions were private, such as when showing IDs to the IRCC and cutting up the PR card. Most people were probably in their 30's and 40's. Some younger, some older. There were a few family groups. There was another old geezer like me; don't know if he was younger or older (I am 72). Some people in my ceremony had festive Canadian-themed decor behind them: flags, balloons, paper-decorations, etc. Most did not. I had seen the Canadiana themes in some of the YouTube videos. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to set this up in the few minutes I had that morning. Most people dressed in business casual, no ripped tees, etc (the letter indicates that attire is to be appropriate... so no jammies I guess).

At the end there was a one minute period where people could take selfies with the presiding judge. The judge smiled on the screen with a full face capture and presumably people would take a selfie of themselves with their head held close to their computer monitor or smart phone screen, etc. (a bit odd, if you ask me). I give the judge props though for maintaining a happy, pleasant smile to the camera for a full minute; difficult to do I am sure.