Lost PR card, need to renew, will expire this coming March

[qkslvr]

I've found out that I had lost my PR card yesterday. My PR status expires in mid-March, and I will need to renew my status before then. My residency obligation will be fulfilled by late January.

My questions are:
- Should I apply to replace my PR card before submitting the renewal application?
- If I should replace my PR card before submitting the renewal application, should I wait until the replacement card comes (perhaps unlikely before February)? I will need to leave the country by mid-March and I would like to have all the processes done before then.
- Is it necessary to have the old PR card handy before applying to renew my PR status (and getting the new card)?

Thank you!

 

[Leon]

Your PR status doesn't need to be renewed, only your PR card. If you are not planning on travelling outside Canada, you do not need a PR card. However, it would be wise to get a new one in case you decide to travel short notice.

Here's a link on how to apply: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-replace-pr-card.asp

You should however not apply if you currently do not meet the residency requirements. If that is the case, wait until you do and preferably a couple of months more so you don't stick out as somebody who has exactly 730 days and might be lying about it. If they decide to investigate your application, you'd have a serious delay.

 

[qkslvr]

Thank you for your reply.

I redid my residency calculations last night and found out that I have fulfilled the residency obligations as of today (730th day). I agree that I should wait at least a few weeks before applying for a renewal. I am often out of the country and will need the card.

So to clarify: the PR status of a person does not expire, regardless of the subject's residency status in Canada?

 

[Msafiri]

Thank you for your reply.

I redid my residency calculations last night and found out that I have fulfilled the residency obligations as of today (730th day). I agree that I should wait at least a few weeks before applying for a renewal. I am often out of the country and will need the card.

So to clarify: the PR status of a person does not expire, regardless of the subject's residency status in Canada?

1. If you meet the Residence Obligation of 730 physical days and have conclusive evidence of this presence you can apply no need to wait for several weeks. You do need to make absolutely sure you have your days calculated correctly because if there is a discrepancy then there is a zero buffer for any errors.

Check the PR Card renewal form it tells you the required documents. CIC are leaning towards notice of income tax assessments as strong evidence of physical presence in Canada. IMHO this depends on the type of employer e.g. a major well know Canadian employer is on paper more credible than employment by a relative in say their convenience store. It also depends on the type of employment e.g. a bus driver would be more credible as they have to be in Canada to drive said bus say against an IT consultant who could be working outside Canada. The declared income is also an indicator - case law shows examples of Citizenship applicants who are RQd presenting multiple Notices of Assessments with declared incomes of less than 10K leading to questions on credibility..if working full time in Canada for a year with mimum wages at around the $8/hr mark how can it be possible to earn only 10K?

2. The PR Card is really a status document for travel purposes. If you present one at the Port of Entry CBSA deem you are a PR but they can then query if you meet the RO. You don't need a PR Card to remain in Canada but it helps in various admin related situations as proof of status although you can use your COPR/ IMM1000.

 

[Leon]

Thank you for your reply.

I redid my residency calculations last night and found out that I have fulfilled the residency obligations as of today (730th day). I agree that I should wait at least a few weeks before applying for a renewal. I am often out of the country and will need the card.

So to clarify: the PR status of a person does not expire, regardless of the subject's residency status in Canada?

Right, your PR status does not expire. You do however have to continue to meet the residency obligations of 730 days in your first 5 years as a PR and after that in any rolling 5 year period. Once you have been a PR for more than 5 years, it is always the past 5 years that matter.