PR Card Questions

[Abe G. Weit]

We will be doing our initial PR “landing” in May and plan to stay in Canada for a couple of days and then return to the US. We will then be returning to Canada (vacation) for 2-3 weeks this summer (we have a small family cottage in Canada). Just a few questions:

1. Should we (and/or will we be required to) apply for the PR cards at the time of initial landing and have them mailed to our cottage in Canada so they are there when we arrive in the summer (as I understand it, they will not mail PR cards to a non-Canadian address) or is it best to apply for the cards when we eventually relocate to Canada (probably not for 1-3 years, depending on employment situation)?

2. Will we be allowed re-entry into Canada on US passports (without PR cards) this summer?

3. If re-entry on passport this summer, should we inform the border guard that we are Permanent Residents or will they already know that from our passports?

4. Do PR cards have to be renewed periodically, i.e., is there an expiration date?

5. If there is an expiration date on PR cards, what is the duration and does it start from the date of initial landing or from the date that your card is issued (i.e., will the expiration date be later if you delay applying for the card)?


Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide on these questions.

 

[PMM]

Hi

We will be doing our initial PR “landing” in May and plan to stay in Canada for a couple of days and then return to the US. We will then be returning to Canada (vacation) for 2-3 weeks this summer (we have a small family cottage in Canada). Just a few questions:

1. Should we (and/or will we be required to) apply for the PR cards at the time of initial landing and have them mailed to our cottage in Canada so they are there when we arrive in the summer (as I understand it, they will not mail PR cards to a non-Canadian address) or is it best to apply for the cards when we eventually relocate to Canada (probably not for 1-3 years, depending on employment situation)?

They are processed at the time of "landing" and you can use your Canadian address for their receipt.

2. Will we be allowed re-entry into Canada on US passports (without PR cards) this summer?

If by road you won't have a problem, your IMM 5292 (Confirmation of PR status) will be fine, as you are US citizens you shouldn't have much difficulty by air either, unless you buy 1 way tickets.

3. If re-entry on passport this summer, should we inform the border guard that we are Permanent Residents or will they already know that from our passports?

They will know from your passports and their computer system.

4. Do PR cards have to be renewed periodically, i.e., is there an expiration date?

They are valid for 5 years

5. If there is an expiration date on PR cards, what is the duration and does it start from the date of initial landing or from the date that your card is issued (i.e., will the expiration date be later if you delay applying for the card)?

From the date of "landing" Note you have to reside in Canada for 2 years in every 5 year period.

Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide on these questions.

 

[Abe G. Weit]

PMM:

Thanks for your very helpful replies. Just a couple more questions regarding the 2 years per rolling 5 year period residence requirement:

1. Does the Border Service Agency track this automatically (in cooperation with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency) by scanning of passports and/or PR cards at each crossing or is this something each PR has to track and document on his own?

2. If not automatically tracked, do we need to present some kind of proof that we have spent sufficient time (or at least have the potential to have sufficient time in the current 5 year rolling period) in Canada to the border guard every single time we enter Canada or is proof only required when re-applying for the PR card five years after initially issued?

3. If, in fact, border guards do require proof at each crossing, are you pretty much allowed in without much difficulty during the first three years, if you are looking for work in Canada and honestly plan to relocate there in time to satisfy the 2 year in five requirement?

4. After landing, is each PR in a family on his own as far as maintaining PR status? For example, my daughter is planning to attend college in Canada (starting in 2012), so she should easily meet the 2 year in five requirement, however, (although I have a few applications out and am hoping for the best) if I am unable to find employment in my field in Canada, I may have trouble with this requirement. I don’t anticipate that this will ultimately be a problem, but in the event that I am unable to maintain my PR status, would this adversely affect other family members’ residency status (please note that I was the Primary Applicant in the Skilled Worker category)?

Thanks again for your help.

Abe

 

[PMM]

Hi

PMM:

Thanks for your very helpful replies. Just a couple more questions regarding the 2 years per rolling 5 year period residence requirement:

1. Does the Border Service Agency track this automatically (in cooperation with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency) by scanning of passports and/or PR cards at each crossing or is this something each PR has to track and document on his own?

2. If not automatically tracked, do we need to present some kind of proof that we have spent sufficient time (or at least have the potential to have sufficient time in the current 5 year rolling period) in Canada to the border guard every single time we enter Canada or is proof only required when re-applying for the PR card five years after initially issued?

3. If, in fact, border guards do require proof at each crossing, are you pretty much allowed in without much difficulty during the first three years, if you are looking for work in Canada and honestly plan to relocate there in time to satisfy the 2 year in five requirement?

4. After landing, is each PR in a family on his own as far as maintaining PR status? For example, my daughter is planning to attend college in Canada (starting in 2012), so she should easily meet the 2 year in five requirement, however, (although I have a few applications out and am hoping for the best) if I am unable to find employment in my field in Canada, I may have trouble with this requirement. I don't anticipate that this will ultimately be a problem, but in the event that I am unable to maintain my PR status, would this adversely affect other family members' residency status (please note that I was the Primary Applicant in the Skilled Worker category)?

Thanks again for your help.

Abe

1. It is up to you to keep track of your residency in Canada, but the big BUT is that if CBSA has suspicions that you don't or won't be able to meet the residency obligation they can/will go through their and the US records of your entries.
2. Proof would only be required when you renew or if it appears to CBSA that you don't have sufficient time to meet the residency requirements.
3. See 2.
4. Each person is on their own.

 

[Abe G. Weit]

PMM:

Again, very helpful. Thanks very much.

Abe