But I previously read that it took a month or so . is there any way to speed up the process?
Or if it is " decision made" can we travel abroad ?
thank you
Canada does NOT impose any restrictions on PRs regarding traveling abroad. Thus, so far as Canada is concerned, a PR can always travel abroad. No restrictions.
A PR is statutorily entitled to entry into Canada, even if the PR does not have a valid PR card or PR Travel Document.
So yes, of course, you can travel abroad . . . subject to the laws and rules in the countries where you will travel (which laws and rules can vary considerably depending on what passport the PR carries).
HOWEVER, PRs do need either a valid PR card or a PR TD in order to board commercial transportation (like an airline) coming to Canada.
That is, there are some practical considerations to take into account, not the least of which is that in order to be approved for a boarding pass on a flight destined to Canada, a PR needs to present either a valid PR card or a PR Travel Document. The logistics involved in obtaining a PR TD while abroad vary considerably depending on the PR's particular status and history (for example, the visa office makes a determination as to PR Residency Obligation compliance, so the PR's application for the PR TD needs to document and prove compliance, and if this is a close-call question that can delay the process), and on the particular visa office involved (PR TD applications can take longer or be at risk for problems in some parts of the world).
Another practical consideration relates to the duration of the planned trip and whether perhaps the new PR card could be issued and mailed to the PR while the PR is abroad. The old PR card is cancelled as of when the new card is issued to the PR. There has been scant reporting about this, so it is NOT clear whether the PR abroad can still use the PR card in possession to board a flight back to Canada. My GUESS (emphasis on it just being a guess) is that this will be OK for a short trip and the return is within a short period of time when the new card is issued. BUT again we have seen scant reporting about this and technically the old PR card is no longer valid. If the old card is no longer usable for boarding a flight to Canada, obviously the PR will need to obtain a PR TD or arrange travel via the U.S. (so as to arrive at a land crossing PoE using private transportation).
In contrast, if the PR is abroad for an extended period of time after the new card has been issued, better to obtain the PR TD for the return flight (unless someone in Canada can collect the PR card from the PR's mail and then in turn send or otherwise deliver the card to the PR abroad) and not try relying on the old PR card.
Note: if the old card is still valid and there is a notice to the PR to pick up the new PR card at a local IRCC office (rather than IRCC mailing it to the PR), the old PR card should still be usable as long as it has not expired.
