Maintaining PR and renewing card

[Megs7]

Hi,
My PR card needs a name change to match my new passport with my married name. My old card still has 18 months left on it.

My issue is that I plan to leave the country and live with my Canadian husband for an unknown amount of time in my home country (but it will be at least a few years). With the long wait times because of Covid my new card may not arrive before we leave. Does anyone know if they usually mail the renewed card or if it needs collecting in person? If it doesn’t arrive in time can I update my address to a friends address so they can forward it to me? Should I update both the mailing address and residential address to my friends?

As my husband is a Canadian citizen I know I can retain my PR status but will they have a problem if I return to Canada after say 5/10 years on a PR travel document?

Also I know CIC says processing time for card renewals is 160 days at the moment. Is this business days? Has anyone renewed recently and has a possible time frame?

 

[steaky]

But you can always ask a friend to courier you new PR card to your home country.

 

[Megs7]

But you can always ask a friend to courier you new PR card to your home country.

Thanks I was hoping that would be ok. Would I put that as my mailing address and residential address even though I obviously won’t be living there?

 

[k.h.p.]

Not the residential address as that would be lying. You'd have to put it as your separate mailing address.

 

[Megs7]

Not the residential address as that would be lying. You'd have to put it as your separate mailing address.

I’ve heard that if you have a separate mailing address it means that they often call you to collect the card in person. Not sure how true this is though. These insane waiting times are causing such an issue. I had my time line all figured out until Covid came along!

 

[k.h.p.]

Yes, that happens, because you are not supposed to do what you are planning to do.

So your option: either you lie, which may be found out in the address history part of the renewal application, and possibly get in trouble for misrepresentation, or you provide a separate mailing address, which may require your card to be picked up in person.

Or you apply for a PRTD when you want to come home to Canada, but you'll need to prove at that time you have maintained status by accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada.

 

[Megs7]

Yes, that happens, because you are not supposed to do what you are planning to do.

So your option: either you lie, which may be found out in the address history part of the renewal application, and possibly get in trouble for misrepresentation, or you provide a separate mailing address, which may require your card to be picked up in person.

Or you apply for a PRTD when you want to come home to Canada, but you'll need to prove at that time you have maintained status by accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada.

Thanks. Sounds like the PRTD is the best option I guess. I won’t have any problem proving that I am accompanying my husband. I will only be visiting friends and family for the first few years so just in and out of the country.

 

[k.h.p.]

A PRTD is typically a one-time only thing; they're only rarely issued as multiple entries. If you're going to be in-and-out of Canada frequently, you're going to need a PRTD each time.

 

[Megs7]

A PRTD is typically a one-time only thing; they're only rarely issued as multiple entries. If you're going to be in-and-out of Canada frequently, you're going to need a PRTD each time.

Ok good to know. I think I’ll apply to renew my PR and hope it arrives by some miracle before I leave. If it doesn’t I’ll have to rely on PRTD each time.

 

[Steffans]

Since you have 18 months before your long trip.. Why can't you apply for citizenship.. It takes approximately 12 months or less to get it..

Just my thought because it will eliminate all the guessing game..

Citizenship swearing in.. Is done virtually now.. U can do it from anywhere..

 

[Megs7]

Since you have 18 months before your long trip.. Why can't you apply for citizenship.. It takes approximately 12 months or less to get it..

Just my thought because it will eliminate all the guessing game..

Citizenship swearing in.. Is done virtually now.. U can do it from anywhere..

That is what my original plan was, but due to financial reasons because of Covid my husband wants to bring our move forward and leave as soon as his Visa for my country is granted.
I have heard with Covid Citizenship is taking much longer than 12 months now, especially because they haven’t sorted out how to do the test yet. I was worried what would happen if I submitted the Citizenship app and then leave before it is approved. I also thought that by the time we get to the oath stage they could have changed the rules back to a physical ceremony.

 

[canuck78]

That is what my original plan was, but due to financial reasons because of Covid my husband wants to bring our move forward and leave as soon as his Visa for my country is granted.
I have heard with Covid Citizenship is taking much longer than 12 months now, especially because they haven’t sorted out how to do the test yet. I was worried what would happen if I submitted the Citizenship app and then leave before it is approved. I also thought that by the time we get to the oath stage they could have changed the rules back to a physical ceremony.

You still need to be in Canada for the virtual ceremony.