I have similar situation as ckjoe, that may happen in March 2019. I have applied for pr renewal at the beginning of November. I am travelling to Mexico for vacation on March 30th. My exisiting PR card expires March 14, 2019. Hopefully the new card arrives before then, but my question is this:--I will share my story.
My PR Card was expired on Oct 02, 2018 but I have suddenly had a plan to trip to Japan from Nov 1st to Nov 18th, 2018.
After purchased the tickets to Japan, I applied my renewal as "urgent processing" with proof on September 12th, 2018.
I was expecting receiving PR Card by the time I leave Canada on Oct 31st but It didn't make it. It supposed to be receiving in 1-2weeks so I asked my friend to check the mailbox everyday. (Once he gets the card, I tried to ask him to send by Fedex but the card didn't be arrived) and I had to be in Japan so I leave Canada and arrived Japan on Nov 1st.
- We received your application for a permanent resident card on September 17, 2018.
- We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s) on October 9, 2018.
- We started processing your application on October 9, 2018.
- Your Permanent Resident card was sent by mail on October 18, 2018.
I also tried to get PRTD in Japan but they told it takes 2weeks to 1month with my original passport and there is no guarantee I get the document before my return flight on Nov 18th. So I gave up to do the application.
On Nov 18th, I tried to check-in my flight returning to Canada, the check-in desk denied the boarding because I didn't have renewed PR Card. I appealed that I already renewed my PR but I didn't get it because of Canada post's strike. The desk agent couldn't decide it so called supervisor and manager. They made a call CIC and Canada embassy in Japan to confirm my PR status and renewal status. Finally Canada embassy in Japan made negotiation with CIC and approved boarding my flight. I made the flight returning to Canada and it was no problem with entering Canada on November 18th as planned.
I still waiting for my PR card by mail but it already passed a month. I'll probably need to take a flight to Japan soon but I don't wanna have same situation. Where is my PR Card?? How can I find it out? (The mailing address is 100% right in application, double checked)
Can I do what ckjoe did or what's to stop me flying back to Canada on my British passport?
Any help would be appreciated.