Hi Guys....I just received my PR card (family of 3) after exactly one year. following is the timeline:
-PR achieved in Aug 2009
-Started living in Canada in April 2012
-Application sent for renewal in May 2014 (after completing 2 years + 1 month since Apr 2012)
-Card expired in Sept 2014
- Started processing in Oct 2014
- Received letter that application sent for secondary review in Nov 2014
-After that multiple calls/emails, but was just asked to be patient as secondary review can take any time. No additional documentation asked for.
- Exactly after one year (exact date!), I had called and they said it has been approved...and then received the cards in 10 days.
I am told and it matches my assessment that if you didn't start living in Canada immediately after achieving PR and do that just 2 years prior to expiry and apply for renewal (like I did I guess)....they are not sure of your intention continuing to live in Canada and hence just hold it as a "cooling off" period of one year. In this they must monitor if you have left Canada....I guess if you have for few days/weeks on vacation/emergency, it should be OK. After the cool off period, they just approve it. In my case I did not go anywhere and even applied for citizenship just before receiving approval of renewed PR cards....
So....unless you have issues with documentation (in which case you should receive a mail)....just chill and be patient for a year....I know it's frustrating to feel locked and not be able to travel....but it's the country's decision to ensure that people are serious of stayig in the country. You can always travel via US or obtain PRTD.
All the best....