Expired PR Card/Accompanying Canadian Citizen spouse

[shevas2003]

My PR card expired back in 2009 when I left Canada to accompany my Canadian citizen husband in US for a job he took up. Our child & he are both Canadian citizens and we're planning to relocate to Canada in the next 1 year. I am making a road trip to Canada next month and was wondering if I can apply to extend my PR card while I am in Canada for 10 days? I have not had an issue entering Canada via private vehicle even if my PR card was expired way back as I only left to join my Canadian husband. Can I give a family member or friend's address for the PR card delivery as I can't stay in Canada until I receive the card as my kid has school here in US. Or I can always go back to collect my PR card as well if that's the only way to apply for extension of the card.

 

[canuck78]

My PR card expired back in 2009 when I left Canada to accompany my Canadian citizen husband in US for a job he took up. Our child & he are both Canadian citizens and we're planning to relocate to Canada in the next 1 year. I am making a road trip to Canada next month and was wondering if I can apply to extend my PR card while I am in Canada for 10 days? I have not had an issue entering Canada via private vehicle even if my PR card was expired way back as I only left to join my Canadian husband. Can I give a family member or friend's address for the PR card delivery as I can't stay in Canada until I receive the card as my kid has school here in US. Or I can always go back to collect my PR card as well if that's the only way to apply for extension of the card.

How long did you spend in Canada after getting PR? You can file to renew your PR card while in Canada. For people living abroad you are usually required to pick up the card in person.

 

[shevas2003]

How long did you spend in Canada after getting PR? You can file to renew your PR card while in Canada. For people living abroad you are usually required to pick up the card in person.

Thanks for the quick response. I spent a little over 2 years after receiving my PR to join my Canadian citizen husband. So the time was not long enough for me to apply for my citizenship which would have been so convenient. So I can provide our friend's address in the PR extension application and will they send my card to that address? I am visiting Canada soon and would like to have a valid PR card for the ease of travel back & forth since we're planning on moving back. Do I need to be in Canada in person to collect the card or do they mail it to the Canadian address(in my case our friend's) provided on the application?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for the quick response. I spent a little over 2 years after receiving my PR to join my Canadian citizen husband. So the time was not long enough for me to apply for my citizenship which would have been so convenient. So I can provide our friend's address in the PR extension application and will they send my card to that address? I am visiting Canada soon and would like to have a valid PR card for the ease of travel back & forth since we're planning on moving back. Do I need to be in Canada in person to collect the card or do they mail it to the Canadian address(in my case our friend's) provided on the application?

If you spent 2 years in Canada after receiving your PR with your husband before relocating counting days abroad together shouldn’t be an issue. You can try to put a friends address down but as I said earlier it is pretty common for those living abroad to have to pick up their cards in person. No way to predict what you’ll be required to do so put down the address in case they are willing to send it out by mail.

 

[shevas2003]

If you spent 2 years in Canada after receiving your PR with your husband before relocating counting days abroad together shouldn’t be an issue. You can try to put a friends address down but as I said earlier it is pretty common for those living abroad to have to pick up their cards in person. No way to predict what you’ll be required to do so put down the address in case they are willing to send it out by mail.

I'm sorry, I meant to say a little under 2 years, I tried applying for citizenship but did not have enough days to qualify. I was told I'll always be a PR even if my card expires as long as I am accompanying my Canadian spouse and that I should apply for PR card extension on my visit. Every time I visited, it was for a very short time but this time I am planning to go for a bit longer since we're planning to move.

 

[canuck78]

I'm sorry, I meant to say a little under 2 years, I tried applying for citizenship but did not have enough days to qualify. I was told I'll always be a PR even if my card expires as long as I am accompanying my Canadian spouse and that I should apply for PR card extension on my visit. Every time I visited, it was for a very short time but this time I am planning to go for a bit longer since we're planning to move.

Citizenship is 3 years Out of 5 years. Yes in general most spouses of Canadian citizens who have PR can count the days outside Canada as days towards meeting their RO. There are a few exceptions. If a PR lands and returns to their life abroad with their Canadian husband they may run into problems counting the days since they never established their lives in Canada together. The other issue that comes up frequently when the reason for the move is for the PR and the Canadian spouse is accompanying one. The PR may have not spent much time in Canada. You shouldn’t have an issue.

 

[shevas2003]

Citizenship is 3 years Out of 5 years. Yes in general most spouses of Canadian citizens who have PR can count the days outside Canada as days towards meeting their RO. There are a few exceptions. If a PR lands and returns to their life abroad with their Canadian husband they may run into problems counting the days since they never established their lives in Canada together. The other issue that comes up frequently when the reason for the move is for the PR and the Canadian spouse is accompanying one. The PR may have not spent much time in Canada. You shouldn’t have an issue.

Thanks so much, is the PR card renewal application very complicated? I can make sure I take my photo in Canada during my visit. How many days of stay should I plan for the stay for the purpose of the renewal application? Does it go by mail?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks so much, is the PR card renewal application very complicated? I can make sure I take my photo in Canada during my visit. How many days of stay should I plan for the stay for the purpose of the renewal application? Does it go by mail?

You will need to show that you have been living with your spouse while abroad. With bills, a lease or deed, etc. Getting a new PR care can take weeks to months so unless you want to stay that long for other reasons it likely doesn’t make sense to stay more than you were planning on visiting. I would apply as soon as you arrive and hope you get lucky and have fast processing time. If you are visiting for a few weeks you may have a chance to get the card before you leave. If your PR card does get mailed to your friend they can send it to you via courier.

 

[shevas2003]

You will need to show that you have been living with your spouse while abroad. With bills, a lease or deed, etc. Getting a new PR care can take weeks to months so unless you want to stay that long for other reasons it likely doesn’t make sense to stay more than you were planning on visiting. I would apply as soon as you arrive and hope you get lucky and have fast processing time. If you are visiting for a few weeks you may have a chance to get the card before you leave. If your PR card does get mailed to your friend they can send it to you via courier.

Yes, my friend can send it to me and I'm not in a rush to receive it but I definitely want to apply for the extension because with a valid PR card, I'm not limited to driving across the border and can fly in & out with ease. We have bills & our house together here in the US and our daughter is an American & Canadian Citizen. Will I need to attach all of this to my PR extension application? I want to make sure I gather all of the documents I need so when I travel, I have it al ready to file for extension in Canada.

 

[canuck78]

Yes, my friend can send it to me and I'm not in a rush to receive it but I definitely want to apply for the extension because with a valid PR card, I'm not limited to driving across the border and can fly in & out with ease. We have bills & our house together here in the US and our daughter is an American & Canadian Citizen. Will I need to attach all of this to my PR extension application? I want to make sure I gather all of the documents I need so when I travel, I have it al ready to file for extension in Canada.

No guarantees that you can send it to a friend’s home. In the majority of circumstances people living abroad are required to pick up the PR card in person. You will need to provide proof that you and your Canadian spouse have been living together while abroad. Would send in records starting 5 years ago and throughout the 5 year period like bills with a date and the same address, insurance policies with an address and your names and date, etc.

 

[shevas2003]

No guarantees that you can send it to a friend’s home. In the majority of circumstances people living abroad are required to pick up the PR card in person. You will need to provide proof that you and your Canadian spouse have been living together while abroad. Would send in records starting 5 years ago and throughout the 5 year period like bills with a date and the same address, insurance policies with an address and your names and date, etc.

We have all those papers and our pay slips, tax returns, house deed, bills, etc that I’ll be sure to attach to the extension application. I’ll plan on applying for renewal and if they want me to collect the PR card in person, I can always go back another time to collect it. Just wanted to be sure it’s okay to apply.
Will I need a CBSA report to attach to the renewal application or any other document that I need to request?

 

[canuck78]

We have all those papers and our pay slips, tax returns, house deed, bills, etc that I’ll be sure to attach to the extension application. I’ll plan on applying for renewal and if they want me to collect the PR card in person, I can always go back another time to collect it. Just wanted to be sure it’s okay to apply.
Will I need a CBSA report to attach to the renewal application or any other document that I need to request?

No CBSA records required. Definitely ok to apply as long as it is from Canada.