PR Card expiry?

[Lady_Ashka]

I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm for a worrywort I know beyond any doubt that an expired PR card does NOT cause trouble and does not mean his PR status is "expired" as well? He just realized his card expired about 3 months ago. He is living in Canada, only went for a short vacation, so he fulfills the RO.

Also, a question about the new requirements to prove RO for card renewal:

1. If he submits NOAs and bank statements, does he need to submit 5 NOAs and bank statements from each month for the last 5 years? because that's a lot of scanning... Or

2. Are 5 NOAs and, say one bank statement per year (so 5 in total, from random months) enough?

3. Or one NOA (for example from 2 years ago) and one bank statement (for example from last month) be enough?

 

[Ponga]

I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm for a worrywort I know beyond any doubt that an expired PR card does NOT cause trouble and does not mean his PR status is "expired" as well? He just realized his card expired about 3 months ago. He is living in Canada, only went for a short vacation, so he fulfills the RO.

Also, a question about the new requirements to prove RO for card renewal:

1. If he submits NOAs and bank statements, does he need to submit 5 NOAs and bank statements from each month for the last 5 years? because that's a lot of scanning... Or

2. Are 5 NOAs and, say one bank statement per year (so 5 in total, from random months) enough?

3. Or one NOA (for example from 2 years ago) and one bank statement (for example from last month) be enough?

Just to clarify...an expired PR Card certainly CAN `cause trouble'! For one, it could prevent a PR from returning to Canada via a commercial carrier, unless the person holds a valid U.S. passport. You are correct that the PR status does not expire.

1. No. Only two pieces of evidence are required. Period. For example one NOA from anytime within the previous 5 years on the day that the application for renewal is submitted, and one bank statement (from a different year) would suffice.

2. See #1

3. See #1

 

[Lady_Ashka]

Hi Ponga, thanks very much for answering!

haha yes, of course! what I meant is that while it is needed for travel (and sometimes other things in certain provinces), letting a PR card expire does not mean that the status of the resident is in jeopardy, so once he applies to renew they won't suddenly tell him btw you're being deported because your status expired?

thanks very much for the clarification regarding the documents! one NOC and one bank statement seems very reasonable so I'm glad it's that simple!

 

[Besram]

Hi Ponga, thanks very much for answering!

haha yes, of course! what I meant is that while it is needed for travel (and sometimes other things in certain provinces), letting a PR card expire does not mean that the status of the resident is in jeopardy, so once he applies to renew they won't suddenly tell him btw you're being deported because your status expired?

thanks very much for the clarification regarding the documents! one NOC and one bank statement seems very reasonable so I'm glad it's that simple!

No, it doesn't mean that all. If the person you are referring to meets the residency requirement, there won't be an issue.

 

[Lady_Ashka]

thank you very much he does fulfill the RO (only away from Canada for about 100 days in last 5 years) so I guess all will be good for him

 

[Lady_Ashka]

And I guess it's ok to not renew a card until he is planning to travel, yes?

 

[Besram]

And I guess it's ok to not renew a card until he is planning to travel, yes?

Sure, but why wait. If he needs to travel for an emergency it’d be good to have it…

 

[Lady_Ashka]

makes sense! I guess I just meant that if he gets on it next month or in April it still will be fine. And thank you all

 

[Ponga]

And I guess it's ok to not renew a card until he is planning to travel, yes?

Keep in mind that, in a worse case scenario, he could return to Canada via the U.S., but would need to enter Canada either in a personal/private vehicle or by foot. The valid PR Card is only needed if returning via a commercial carrier. CBSA does not require a valid PR Card, although it is the best option to prove status.

 

[Lady_Ashka]

Thank you so much! it was primarily the status part that he was panicking about, it just seems so much like it's tied to the validity of the card that it's good to see a confirmation that it isn't.

 

[foodie69]

Thank you so much! it was primarily the status part that he was panicking about, it just seems so much like it's tied to the validity of the card that it's good to see a confirmation that it isn't.

Tell him to become a citizen asap. Problems solved

 

[Lady_Ashka]

of course! he will in due time, I assume he'll renew the card first and then just apply for citizenship. thanks all!

 

[canuck78]

Thank you so much! it was primarily the status part that he was panicking about, it just seems so much like it's tied to the validity of the card that it's good to see a confirmation that it isn't.

Proof that you have been living in Canada can be sometimes required if you don’t have a valid PR card. Traveling is often the reason that prompts people to apply for a PR card around the time that their current PR card expires but having a valid PR card can make your life easier in a few other situations. Plan to apply for a new PR card and citizenship in the near future sounds like a good plan.

 

[Lady_Ashka]

thanks Canuck! always good to hear from you