Issue on applying travel document to an overseas office within Canada

[Tristanlx]

Hi Everyone. My name is Tristan, and I am currently waiting on my permanent resident card renewal for exactly one year now. I have been calling CIC for a couple of times while checking the online progress everyday, apparently my case is still IN PROGRESS. Well, I don't want to get into that.

Here is my my problem, I am planning on a visit to China in about 3-month time (around January 2017), and I am not sure if I will be getting my new permanent resident card by then. So I am thinking to apply for a travel document, however, as indicated on the CIC website, a travel document can only be applied while the applicant is at overseas. Unfortunately, I only can take a 3-week vacation from work, but this application process usually takes 6-8 wks (suggested by the Canadian Visa office in Beijing).


I have been trying to figure out what I can do in this situation, here is my solution but not sure if it's mission impossible. I am thinking to mail out my application form, supporting documents to the Canadian visa office in Beijing, as well as risking to put my passport (I have to do it, since from what i heard the travel document can only be issued on the original passport) in the mail. Once the travel document is being approved, they can send my passport (with the travel document) to my China address then I can ask my family to send it back to me, as it seems they would only mail to a domestic address. Or even better, they can send it back to my Canadian address before my departure.


As I said, I am not sure if this is doable or if anyone has been in a similar situation before, please share your thoughts with me. Thanks so much!

 

[Rob_TO]

I don't think this is possible as they won't issue a travel document if you are physically in Canada. It would require you to commit misrepresentation on the Travel Document application form by indicating you are currently residing in China.

 

[Tristanlx]

Thanks for your prompt reply @Rob_TO!

In the application form, I will be attaching a cover letter to state my situation and indicating that I am currently in Canada NOT China. Also, on the application form, it doesn't seem everywhere asks the current location of the applicant, that's why I thought maybe it doesn't matter where I am applying for it, as long as the overseas visa office will take my application. That's why I have been reaching out to the Canadian Visa Beijing Office, and it seems that they are okay to take it. Could you please let me know everywhere on the application form suggests otherwise? or if there is any related terms on the CIC website that I can look into? Thanks again!

 

[Rob_TO]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/travel.asp
Use this application if you are outside Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5529ETOC.asp
Use this application if you are a permanent resident outside Canada

Who should not apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document?
Note: Permanent residents inside Canada should apply for a PR Card using the application kit Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5524E.pdf
12B - Your current address outside Canada

So really you don't qualify to apply for a PR TD if you are inside Canada. Whether the visa office in Beijing actually does it for you, I guess is up to the individual visa officer you happen to get. Just note that what someone tells you on the phone, may not align with with a visa officer actually does when they receive your application.

 

[Tristanlx]

Thanks @Rob_TO for providing the info!

Well now I see that my suggested solution is NOT doable, since it clearly says

Who should not apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document?
Note: Permanent residents inside Canada should apply for a PR Card using the application kit Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).

I guess you are right, the office who replied me in the Canadian visa Beijing office might not understand the case completely and provided the answer based on his/her assumptions. I think the doable alternative might be trying to extend my stay in China, so I can get enough time to apply for travel document and get approved.

Again, thanks very much @Rob_TO for your help, that saved lots of my time and effort!

 

[ravsun]

Hi All,

I am currently in Shanghai, China. I received my PR in May 2016 and went to Canada in August 2016 to activate it but came back within a few weeks to Shanghai as I had to complete my Job assignments here. On coming back, immediately, I submitted the application for PR Travel Document with the CFS, Beijing Office. It was received by Canada Visa Office, Beijing On 20th September and they e-mailed me the Tracking Number for the same.

Meanwhile, my wife and daughter remained back in Canada and received all our PR Cards by 21st September!

It has been 6 weeks since PRTD application was received by Canada Visa Office in Beijing but it is still showing as Under Processing at the "VFS Track Your Application" page. I have dropped multiple e-mails to Beijing immigration mail ID but haven't received a response.

Please suggest if there is any possible course of action I can take.

Or if I can ask them to return my Passport at least so that I can ask my wife to courier my PR Card to China and then I can go back to Canada.

Please advise.

 

[heeradeepak]

Hi Everyone. My name is Tristan, and I am currently waiting on my permanent resident card renewal for exactly one year now. I have been calling CIC for a couple of times while checking the online progress everyday, apparently my case is still IN PROGRESS. Well, I don't want to get into that.

Here is my my problem, I am planning on a visit to China in about 3-month time (around January 2017), and I am not sure if I will be getting my new permanent resident card by then. So I am thinking to apply for a travel document, however, as indicated on the CIC website, a travel document can only be applied while the applicant is at overseas. Unfortunately, I only can take a 3-week vacation from work, but this application process usually takes 6-8 wks (suggested by the Canadian Visa office in Beijing).


I have been trying to figure out what I can do in this situation, here is my solution but not sure if it's mission impossible. I am thinking to mail out my application form, supporting documents to the Canadian visa office in Beijing, as well as risking to put my passport (I have to do it, since from what i heard the travel document can only be issued on the original passport) in the mail. Once the travel document is being approved, they can send my passport (with the travel document) to my China address then I can ask my family to send it back to me, as it seems they would only mail to a domestic address. Or even better, they can send it back to my Canadian address before my departure.


As I said, I am not sure if this is doable or if anyone has been in a similar situation before, please share your thoughts with me. Thanks so much!

PRTD is disaster for short trips no one can predict the waiting periods each office have different stories.

Permanent resident card renewal with secondary review taking 18-24 months myself has applied in June 2015 and still i am waiting. So in your case if possible wait until you will receive the new PR card.