Permanent resident visa validity

[sepcat]

My partner has just received an email from the CIC immigration office in London saying that she has been approved for the common-law permanent residence visa. However, the visa is only valid until March 2011 which means we only have six months to enter Canada and use the visa.

This seems like a very short time for a permanent visa. What do we have to do once it expires in March? Do we need to reapply again with all the paper work (ie. medical exams, police checks, etc.) and pay the full fees for another period? This does not seem logical. Any info on this would be appreciated. Thanks

Salim

 

[scylla]

If you don't land by March 2011, then the PR status will be flagged as abandoned and you will have to apply from scratch and pay all fees again.

If your partner can't wind up her affairs that quickly, she should travel to Canada before the expiry date and land. She can then return immediately to the UK to wind up her affairs and move permanently at a later date.

 

[sepcat]

I understand that. She needs to enter the country before March 2011 so the PR doesn't expire, but what happens afterwards? How long can she stay in Canada legally. Say if we enter Canada in February and the PR is only valid for one more month, how can she renew her right to live in Canada legally? How long can she stay in the country?

Thanks.
Salim

 

[giggles1985]

sepcat, the visa is just to get your partner into the country. As scylla said they have to land within the validity period of the visa. After that he/she will be mailed a permanent resident card which (I think) needs to be renewed every 5 years. Permanent resident status is permanent. As far as I know the only grounds for revoking PR status are for heavy crimes.

Hope that clears things up

 

[sepcat]

Thank you so much, it makes sense now. What a relieve!

 

[steaky]

Not only that you need to renew the PR card every 5years but you also have to maintain the residency obligation. If you don't maintain the obligation, you can also lose your permanent status.