PRs who are in compliance with the PR Residency Obligation, and in Canada, do not need to submit, with a PR card application, "supporting documents" that show they "meet the residency obligation," not unless IRCC subsequently requests them.
For some, perhaps many (such as those
cutting-it-close), not likely it would hurt to include them with the PR card application, and it shouldn't be onerous: one bank statement in the PR's name showing the PR's residential address in Canada, and one other document, maybe an employment record or pay stub, or a utility bill, again just one other "piece of evidence" with the PR's name and residential address on it. Just "
two pieces" of evidence that show the PR has had a residential address in Canada within the five years prior to the PR card application.
See instructions under "
Gather Documents" in the Guide IMM 5445 and in the Document Checklist IMM 5644.
Do not be distracted by the various "
if they apply" additional document requirements, which reference further instructions ("
if they apply") in Appendix A: Residency Obligation . . . well, UNLESS, of course, they do indeed apply. There are additional instructions in the Appendix for --
-- an application for a PR Travel Document, for which yeah, the additional instructions in the Appendix apply (see checklist).
-- a PR who was outside Canada more than 1095 days in the relevant five years, and one of the exceptions allowing credit for time abroad applies; there are very specific instructions in the appendix as to supporting documents in these cases.
-- particular (albeit disappointingly vague) instructions for PRs in breach and relying on H&C relief.
Apart from IRCC continuing to mangle the PR card application and instructions . . . .
It appears that what you are quoting is NOT from the guide itself, and definitely not the section titled "
Gather Documents," but rather from Appendix A: Residency Obligation. And that makes a difference. The instructions in Appendix do NOT apply to all PR card applications.
In particular, the "
Gather Documents" section in the linked instructions does not list RO related supporting documents as what must be submitted with a PR card application by a PR in RO compliance, and only refers to the supporting documents referenced in the Appendix for the Residency Obligation IF the PR has been outside Canada more than 1095 days in the relevant five years.
The checklist, IMM 5644 similarly lists:
"Proof of residency requirements if you were outside Canada for 1095 days or more in the past five (5) years. Please refer to Appendix A of the instruction guide for a list of the documents required."
Otherwise the checklist does NOT list RO related supporting documents for a PR card application, but does if the application is for a PR Travel Document.
