PR Renewal

[Yolka]

Hi everybody,

Has anyone renewed their PR card while living abroad after applying for their citizenship? How long did it take and did you have to wait in Canada while waiting for your new PR card? I have fulfilled the 1095 days and already applied for my citizenship. Currently living abroad due to my Canadian husband's job. My PR card will expire in a few months :-(.

Thank You!

 

[eileenf]

Hi everybody,

Has anyone renewed their PR card while living abroad after applying for their citizenship? How long did it take and did you have to wait in Canada while waiting for your new PR card? I have fulfilled the 1095 days and already applied for my citizenship. Currently living abroad due to my Canadian husband's job. My PR card will expire in a few months :-(.

Thank You!

Hi Yolka,

As long as you fulfill the residential requirements for maintaining permanent residency, I don't believe that you need to wait in Canada.

Processing for PR cards and renewals is growing longer however, so you should apply as soon as possible. Current processing times are 111 days after CIC receipt of application. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-card.asp

 

[OKK]

Hi everybody,

Has anyone renewed their PR card while living abroad after applying for their citizenship? How long did it take and did you have to wait in Canada while waiting for your new PR card? I have fulfilled the 1095 days and already applied for my citizenship. Currently living abroad due to my Canadian husband's job. My PR card will expire in a few months :-(.

Thank You!

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/about-pr.asp#keep_status
You have to be in Canada to renew your PR card.

 

[Yolka]

Thank you eileenf & OKK for your prompt replies! 111 Wow! I hope very much to be invited to the test before my PR expires :-(

 

[OKK]

Lets hope so

 

[eileenf]

Thank you eileenf & OKK for your prompt replies! 111 Wow! I hope very much to be invited to the test before my PR expires :-(

As I said above, I suspect that it is not necessary for you to be in Canada to renew your PR card, (I assume spouses of diplomats or soldiers aren't forced to fly halfway around the world to renew PR cards) but it does seem to be the preferred and clearer root. From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-after.asp "We will only mail PR cards to residential addresses in Canada." And from the application itself (I am filling it out today as my PR card expires in December) asks for "12. Your current residential address in Canada" and "13. Your mailing address in Canada".

If you want (reasonable) clarity, I would call the CIC Helpline (or have an in-Canada friend or relative do so, since I don't believe it's accessible from outside Canada).

Good luck.

 

[OKK]

Who is Eligible for a PR Card Renewal?
Individuals eligible to apply for Permanent Resident Card renewal must be permanent residents within Canada who would like to apply for:
an initial (first) PR Card
renewal of a PR Card that has or will soon expire or
replacement of a PR Card that has been lost, stolen or damaged.
Eligibility Criteria for a Permanent Resident Card:
The applicant
must be a permanent resident of Canada
must be physically present in Canada
should not be under an effective removal order
should not be a Canadian citizen or a registered Indian under the Indian Act, and
should not be convicted of an offense related to the misuse of a Permanent Resident Card.
How to Apply for a PR Card Renewal
The application process to renew a PR Card for Canada requires individuals to file form IMM 5444 and submit the required documents in order to replace the card that has expired or will soon expire. Lost, stolen, destroyed or expired immigration documents issued by the Government of Canada can be replaced. To have a PR Card renewed, individuals must complete an application and pay the applicable processing fee.
There is no need to contact the CIC if your card has expired (or is due to expire).
Documents required with your application:
Your Permanent Resident Card (if your card has expired). If it is due to expire, you can keep it with you and return it to the CIC officer at a local CIC office when you go to collect your new card.
A copy of your valid passport or travel document, or a copy of the passport or travel document you held at the time you became a permanent resident. Please note that if photocopies are not clear, your application will be returned to you.
Photos. Consult the Photo Specifications Appendix in the guide for more information. If your photos do not meet the requirements, they will not be accepted.
Any other identity documents specified in the Document Checklist (which will be part of the application kit).
Remember to include the Supplementary Identification Form (IMM 5455).
What Are the Steps in the PR Card Renewal Process?
Complete your application quickly and accurately, with our easy-to-use Form NavigatorTM technology.
Pay the government filing fee online.
Gather your supporting documents and submit them with your application to CIC.
Upon approval of your application, report to the local CIC office to collect your card.

 

[OKK]

What happens if my PR card expires while I am outside Canada?

Most permanent resident cards (PR cards) are valid for five years. The expiry date is printed on the card. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card.

Check our processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card.

If you need to leave Canada soon, you can apply for urgent processing.

We do not mail PR cards to addresses outside Canada. If your card expires while you are outside Canada and you will use a commercial vehicle like a bus or plane to return to Canada, you must apply for a travel document.

If you will return to Canada by private vehicle, there are other documents you can use to re-enter Canada. If you do not have these documents, you must apply for a travel document.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

 

[OKK]

I need to leave Canada and I do not have a PR card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card?

We do not mail permanent resident cards (PR cards) to addresses outside Canada. Please choose the option below that describes your case.

If your card has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you need to tell CIC.

You may also need a passport to re-enter Canada. Please see the Canadian Border Services Agency website for what documents you will need at the border.

If you plan to return in a commercial vehicle, like a plane or bus

If you plan to return to Canada in a commercial vehicle — such as a plane, train, boat or bus — you must apply for a travel document at a visa office outside Canada before you return to Canada.

You should also check with the commercial operator (for example, the airline or bus company you will be using) to see what documents they need.

If you return in a private vehicle, like your own car

If you return to Canada in a private vehicle, such as your own car, you do not need a permanent resident card. You can use your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) instead.

You would have been given these documents:

If you applied from overseas: at the same time as your visa
If you applied from within Canada: when you landed at your local visa office
An officer will ask you questions to make sure you meet all of the residency requirements before they allow you to come back to Canada.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

 

[Yolka]

As I said above, I suspect that it is not necessary for you to be in Canada to renew your PR card, (I assume spouses of diplomats or soldiers aren't forced to fly halfway around the world to renew PR cards) but it does seem to be the preferred and clearer root. From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-after.asp "We will only mail PR cards to residential addresses in Canada." And from the application itself (I am filling it out today as my PR card expires in December) asks for "12. Your current residential address in Canada" and "13. Your mailing address in Canada".

If you want (reasonable) clarity, I would call the CIC Helpline (or have an in-Canada friend or relative do so, since I don't believe it's accessible from outside Canada).

Good luck.

Thank you so much eileenf, I really appreciate your posts! No worries about calling the CIC (Thank You for offering to call), my parents in law live in Canada, I guess I will ask them to find out that for me .

Take care,.

 

[Yolka]

I need to leave Canada and I do not have a PR card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card?

We do not mail permanent resident cards (PR cards) to addresses outside Canada. Please choose the option below that describes your case.

If your card has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you need to tell CIC.

You may also need a passport to re-enter Canada. Please see the Canadian Border Services Agency website for what documents you will need at the border.

If you plan to return in a commercial vehicle, like a plane or bus

If you plan to return to Canada in a commercial vehicle — such as a plane, train, boat or bus — you must apply for a travel document at a visa office outside Canada before you return to Canada.

You should also check with the commercial operator (for example, the airline or bus company you will be using) to see what documents they need.

If you return in a private vehicle, like your own car

If you return to Canada in a private vehicle, such as your own car, you do not need a permanent resident card. You can use your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) instead.

You would have been given these documents:

If you applied from overseas: at the same time as your visa
If you applied from within Canada: when you landed at your local visa office
An officer will ask you questions to make sure you meet all of the residency requirements before they allow you to come back to Canada.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

Thanks a lot OKK! Lots of useful information you gave

Take care,

 

[Yolka]

As I said above, I suspect that it is not necessary for you to be in Canada to renew your PR card, (I assume spouses of diplomats or soldiers aren't forced to fly halfway around the world to renew PR cards) but it does seem to be the preferred and clearer root. From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-after.asp "We will only mail PR cards to residential addresses in Canada." And from the application itself (I am filling it out today as my PR card expires in December) asks for "12. Your current residential address in Canada" and "13. Your mailing address in Canada".

If you want (reasonable) clarity, I would call the CIC Helpline (or have an in-Canada friend or relative do so, since I don't believe it's accessible from outside Canada).

Good luck.

Oh, and Good luck with your PR renewal. I guess you are in Canada and surely you won't have any problem with renewing it . All the best!

 

[Leon]

According to immigration manual on permanent resident cards, you can apply for a PR card even if you are outside Canada. However, the application must originate in Canada.

See

R56(2) states clearly that a PR card application must be made in Canada. Furthermore, the card must be delivered in person to each applicant, pursuant to R58(3), and be picked up within 180 days of the person receiving notification that it is ready for collection. This enhances the integrity of the application process, allowing the local office to contact the client to review documentation and assess residency issues in person. However, it is recognized that the Regulations do not specify physical presence in Canada for purposes of filing a PR card application. Applications cannot be refused solely on the basis of evidence that the applicant was not in Canada when the application was filed. However, applicants are expected to provide an address in Canada where they may be contacted to provide additional information or to present themselves in person for the purposes of reviewing either identification or eligibility for the PR card. The CPC may refer a case to a local CIC if all or part of the application originated from outside Canada, and if there are questions as to the client’s identity, status or residency history, or the authenticity of the documentation. Clients must report in person to pick up their card in Canada, in accordance with R58(3).

It would therefore be possible to get someone to mail the application for you from within Canada, give your circumstances and give a Canadian mailing address. If they ask you to pick the card up in person, you would have to go and collect it but still better than going twice or spending x months waiting for the processing.

You could also let the card expire and not apply for a new one but if you are not visa exempt, it would be risky if you are applying for citizenship because when they call you for the test / oath, they do it with short notice and you may not have enough time to apply for a travel document and if you are not visa exempt and your PR card is expired, it would be hard for you to get to Canada to do the test.

 

[OKK]

According to immigration manual on permanent resident cards, you can apply for a PR card even if you are outside Canada. However, the application must originate in Canada.

See
It would therefore be possible to get someone to mail the application for you from within Canada, give your circumstances and give a Canadian mailing address. If they ask you to pick the card up in person, you would have to go and collect it but still better than going twice or spending x months waiting for the processing.

You could also let the card expire and not apply for a new one but if you are not visa exempt, it would be risky if you are applying for citizenship because when they call you for the test / oath, they do it with short notice and you may not have enough time to apply for a travel document and if you are not visa exempt and your PR card is expired, it would be hard for you to get to Canada to do the test.

Then again back to square one.....You have to be in Canada to apply for a renewal

 

[flybest1]

it takes 2 to 3 months to get PR renewed if all goes fine