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Please Help! Can I take my test?

Oct 15, 2019
3
0
I just received my citizenship test date this weekend, and I just found out that I need to present my Pr card along with other documents for my test. I have a photocopy of my Landing Record, my Pr card, health card, drivers license and SIN. I don't have my physical PR card because it was damaged years ago and figured I didn't need to renew since I'm getting my citizenship anyways. what are my options in order to take my test on October 30th?



Thank you again!
 

jc94

Hero Member
Mar 14, 2016
830
163
I just received my citizenship test date this weekend, and I just found out that I need to present my Pr card along with other documents for my test. I have a photocopy of my Landing Record, my Pr card, health card, drivers license and SIN. I don't have my physical PR card because it was damaged years ago and figured I didn't need to renew since I'm getting my citizenship anyways. what are my options in order to take my test on October 30th?

Thank you again!
Hmmm, what did you do with the damaged card? Was it significant damaged? You’re not meant to just throw them in the trash I don’t think.

Honestly I’d call IRCC. Tomorrow, every 15 mins until they answer the phone. I know this isn’t easy for some people with work but I think you really need to tell them and find out what they suggest. It may be fine and I’m sure some people will have answers here but IRCC will know for sure...

Good luck.
 
Oct 15, 2019
3
0
Hmmm, what did you do with the damaged card? Was it significant damaged? You’re not meant to just throw them in the trash I don’t think.

Honestly I’d call IRCC. Tomorrow, every 15 mins until they answer the phone. I know this isn’t easy for some people with work but I think you really need to tell them and find out what they suggest. It may be fine and I’m sure some people will have answers here but IRCC will know for sure...

Good luck.
I believe that it had water damage and the paper part kind of erased, i think i have the back of the card somewhere. The damage was significant. But i didn't throw it away. I have the back somewhere. I will call them tomorrow and even go there in person if it helps to my local citizenship center. I appreciate your help so much. I havent even been able to study yet because this issue has been very stressful.
 

jc94

Hero Member
Mar 14, 2016
830
163
I believe that it had water damage and the paper part kind of erased, i think i have the back of the card somewhere. The damage was significant. But i didn't throw it away. I have the back somewhere. I will call them tomorrow and even go there in person if it helps to my local citizenship center. I appreciate your help so much. I havent even been able to study yet because this issue has been very stressful.
So here's the problem, PR cards are pretty valuable on the black market. So the IRCC is pretty adamant that you tell them if something happens to it, one example on their website is this "Either way, you have to tell us what happened so we can prevent your card from being used by someone else."

Reference: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=047&top=12

Now, damage specifically, if one looks at it logically (and bear in mind IRCC may not be logical) isn't that serious because from what you say there's no chance of someone else using it. And you don't need a PR card to be a PR, it lets you travel but you can enter Canada without one (at a land border normally, or via a PRTD) but losing it doesn't change your status.

The main time you want it, is the oath. Because they take if off you. They may well want to see it at the test, so you definitely want to speak with them ... but if you can still make out it's yours even with the damage that will help. Definitely find what you have and take it, but it sounds like you'll definitely want to speak with them for piece of mind.

Now October 30th is only 14 days away. But processing time for a new one is 24 days. So I would say worst case here they tell you you should have told them, delay the test, and make you get a new one. This is probably going to be a 2-3 month delay but it's not the end of the world. I don't know when you applied, but at least you've gotten this far (many like me have not despite applying 9 months ago).

One final thing, if, for whatever reason you can't contact IRCC (many jobs don't lend themselves to letting one make personal calls every 15 minutes trying to get into a long queue) I'd just request the new PR card, find the old one and take that to the test, then you'll have the new one ready for the oath. Either way, please report back here if you speak to IRCC and with what happens on October 30th.

And, try to get some reading done! Maybe while waiting on hold :D