Urgent processing of PR card application

[Gene E]

Hi everyone,
Does anybody have any experiency or is aware of the details of so called "urgent processing" of PR card application. It is not clear from the Canadian Iimmigration website how long would it take for processing, and what would be the reasonable amount of days/weeks you can aapply for it in advance. Does it apply for people that are already in Canada and need their PR card to return after traveling abroad, or urgent processing is for people that are outside Canada, do not possess PR cards, and need to reenter Canada. Thanks to everybody for the feedback.

 

[rjessome]

Hi everyone,
Does anybody have any experiency or is aware of the details of so called "urgent processing" of PR card application. It is not clear from the Canadian Iimmigration website how long would it take for processing, and what would be the reasonable amount of days/weeks you can aapply for it in advance. Does it apply for people that are already in Canada and need their PR card to return after traveling abroad, or urgent processing is for people that are outside Canada, do not possess PR cards, and need to reenter Canada. Thanks to everybody for the feedback.

If you are outside of Canada and don't have a visa exempt passport, you need to apply for a Travel Document from the Canadian Embassy/Consulate in that country. CIC won't send a PR card outside of Canada.

 

[melbourne1]

Hi everyone,
Does anybody have any experiency or is aware of the details of so called "urgent processing" of PR card application. It is not clear from the Canadian Iimmigration website how long would it take for processing, and what would be the reasonable amount of days/weeks you can aapply for it in advance. Does it apply for people that are already in Canada and need their PR card to return after traveling abroad, or urgent processing is for people that are outside Canada, do not possess PR cards, and need to reenter Canada. Thanks to everybody for the feedback.

There is no 'urgent processing' for the initial PR card. Currently it takes 34 business days for them to mail it out to your from when you land. There is in fact no legal requirement for you to have a a PR card to enter Canada. Canadian border agency (which is different department tp the CIC) usually doesn't ask for it when you enter canada as their computers usually pick up that you are a PR when they scan your passport.

The only problem you may have is not being allowed to board a plane for Canada by the airline. This does not apply if your passport is from a country that is visa exempt (see the Air Canada website). This travel document is just another inventive revenue generating scheme dreamed up by the CIC.

 

[rjessome]

The only problem you may have is not being allowed to board a plane for Canada by the airline. This does not apply if your passport is from a country that is visa exempt (see the Air Canada website). This travel document is just another inventive revenue generating scheme dreamed up by the CIC.

What's cheaper? $50 for a Travel Document or spending $$$$ on an airline ticket only to find out you are not allowed on the plane? This wasn't dreamed up by the government to generate revenue, it was a way to facilitate travel for people who are PRs yet not allowed to board a plane to Canada because they didn't have any proof they would be allowed entry. It was demanded by the transportation industry. What do you suggest? Allowing all transportation companies in the world to have access to CIC's system? That will NEVER happen nor should it. Or perhaps it's better to have people forever stuck outside of Canada because they don't have their PR card?

 

[melbourne1]

What's cheaper? $50 for a Travel Document or spending $$$$ on an airline ticket only to find out you are not allowed on the plane? This wasn't dreamed up by the government to generate revenue, it was a way to facilitate travel for people who are PRs yet not allowed to board a plane to Canada because they didn't have any proof they would be allowed entry. It was demanded by the transportation industry. What do you suggest? Allowing all transportation companies in the world to have access to CIC's system? That will NEVER happen nor should it. Or perhaps it's better to have people forever stuck outside of Canada because they don't have their PR card?

Read the actual immigration law. PR have legal right to enter canada, provided they have not been out the country for more than 2 years. As for the CIC allowing transport companies having access to their system, they are alreay working towards that - it is called Advanced Passenger Screening. In fact the Australian immigration department has already linked its systems to all airlines flying into Australia. They, not the airliner, give the instruction to board or not board a passenger. Canada has already implemented the initial phases of this system. It won't be too long before they follow the Australian example.

Furthermore, not all PR's travel to places that have a canadian consulate located close by. So the actual the costs are often more than $50.

 

[rjessome]

Read the actual immigration law. PR have legal right to enter canada, provided they have not been out the country for more than 2 years. As for the CIC allowing transport companies having access to their system, they are alreay working towards that - it is called Advanced Passenger Screening. In fact the Australian immigration department has already linked its systems to all airlines flying into Australia. They, not the airliner, give the instruction to board or not board a passenger. Canada has already implemented the initial phases of this system. It won't be too long before they follow the Australian example.

Furthermore, not all PR's travel to places that have a canadian consulate located close by. So the actual the costs are often more than $50.

Nobody disputed their right to enter Canada as PRs. A PR is a PR with or without a card assuming they meet all of the requirements of the Act and Regs. That's not the issue. TDs were implemented to assist PRs with TRAVEL because transportation companies are fined and required to foot the bill for returning passengers that are not allowed to enter Canada. Advanced Passenger Information, which is governed by the National Risk Assessment Centre http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/039-eng.html already receives lists of inbound passengers to Canada. However, even once fully rolled out, API will NOT provide access to CIC file information on PRs of Canada. It WILL verify authenticity of documents such as visas, pr cards, and travel documents as this is currently the responsibility of airline agents and lots of fakes slip through. This is what Australia and New Zealand currently have in place. So no document, no boarding the plane.

Oh, and I'm well versed in immigration law. I read it and apply it everyday for a living.

 

[Gene E]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all resposes and feedbacks. I think this post started an interesting discussion.
Please, also take a look at my new post and urgent questions, named: "Please he-e-e-elp seniors and everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Any response and help would be "life saving". Thanks.

 

[melbourne1]

Actually Australia does not require you to have any visa lable in your passport - nor do they have a PR card. All they require the airline to do is provide them is your nationality and passport number. Their computers then give the airline the authority to board you or not board you based on your visa status - yes indeed it does not tell the airline the actual status, but gives the go-ahead for boarding. I lived in Australia for 4 years first as 457 holder then as a PR. I never had any formal lable or stamp in my passport stating my status. If you really want a lable they will place one in your passport, they mostly do this to allow you to get visa's for other countries that want to see your status in Australia before issuing a tourist visa.

The real reason for the PR cards and travel documents was not for the travel industry's benefit, but it is an attempt to weed out all those people who have PR status but don't actually live in Canada. Unfortunately, this rule affects many people who have just landed who need to return home to rap things up. Another example of the CIC's inability to see how simply rule changes can have significant consequences for people following the rules.

One again I refer you to Air Canada's website which states that provided you have a passport that qualify's for a visa waiver they do not need a travel document. Air Canada is putting themselves at risk by doing this, what they should do is qualify it that you need to have been a PR for less than 2 years for them to allow you to board, then there is no chance the CBSA will question your PR status.

As for people being deported from Australia, the main reason, despite having being allowed to board by DIMA, immigration finds that the circumstances of the person which DIMA based the visa have changed, or the person misled immigration on the visa application.

 

[melbourne1]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all resposes and feedbacks. I think this post started an interesting discussion.
Please, also take a look at my new post and urgent questions, named: "Please he-e-e-elp seniors and everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Any response and help would be "life saving". Thanks.

It all depends on your nationality. If you come from a visa waiver country then there is little chance that the airline will deny you boarding. If not then you had better get a travel document. Depending on which consulate you apply for it may be issued immediately while you wait or could take up to a week.

 

[melbourne1]

For your information. The API system provided by SITA is directly linked to the Australia Immigration Department computers, the allow/deny boarding is based on the persons visa status. SITA system is used by about 10 countries, including Canada. Thus far only Australia and South Africa have linked it to there immigration computers. Australia has being doing it for almost 10 years. South Africa made the link last year, with some interesting teething problems. More countries are bound to make this link, and I am sure Canada will make the link eventually too.

Australia realised along time ago that cards, visa lables are just pieces of paper and plastic and what really matters is the person's actual status.

 

[PMM]

Hi

For your information. The API system provided by SITA is directly linked to the Australia Immigration Department computers, the allow/deny boarding is based on the persons visa status. SITA system is used by about 10 countries, including Canada. Thus far only Australia and South Africa have linked it to there immigration computers. Australia has being doing it for almost 10 years. South Africa made the link last year, with some interesting teething problems. More countries are bound to make this link, and I am sure Canada will make the link eventually too.

Australia realised along time ago that cards, visa lables are just pieces of paper and plastic and what really matters is the person's actual status.

Remember that Australia is an Island, Canada isn't. So if basically the only way in is by Air, it is pretty easy to control.

 

[melbourne1]

Hi

Remember that Australia is an Island, Canada isn't. So if basically the only way in is by Air, it is pretty easy to control.

True, but the irony here is that they don't require you to have a PR card or travel document to enter canada by road.

 

[rjessome]

Who cares about Australia here?? Nobody is talking about Australia except you! It's the rules of Canada we are discussing. You don't need to explain visa and entry rules to Canada to PMM and I. I'm pretty sure we have a good grasp on them. Also pretty sure we are well aware of the history and reasoning behind the introduction of PR cards and TDs.

It's Canada's right to protect the integrity of their immigration system. Rather than blame CIC for it's rules changes and the inconvenience it puts on people who need to "go home and wrap things up", you might want to recognize that people always have the choice of staying in Canada for a month to wait until the PR card arrives, delay landing or have their PR card sent to a friend to be couriered to them. It's not like CIC doesn't have the rules well published. Then there is always the ability to apply for a TD.

I fail to understand how Air Canada is putting themselves at risk by stating that if you are visa exempt, you can board a plane to enter Canada. Is there something about that not true?

 

[melbourne1]

Yes people do have a choice to stay and wait for your PR card it is.. lets see 28 days today... maybe 34 days tomorrow or wait 50 days next week.
Many people are given very little time from their visa stamping to when it expires, so to expect them to sit around in Canada for who knows how long before being able to return home to finalise their move is plain unreasonable. The day there is a consulate in every city on the planet is day the Travel Document becomes a reasonable alternative!

You just have to read through countless threads on this site to see how much anguish this rule of theirs (which has no basis in the immigration act itself) causes. The fact that the CIC has done nothing to remedy this speaks volumes of the type of organisation one is dealing with.
It is so simple for them to correct things- why not make the Immigrant Visa a multientry visa for for a set period after you have landed?

The reason I brough up Australia is because early you stated the transport companies Never would or should access to the immigration - I provided you an example of a country the does (infact 2 now) allow them to have access. Furthermore, you stated that all the Australians do verify documents. This as I have explained earlier is factually incorrect - as most often there are no documents to verify. Why don't you google E-VISA's and see that the Australians are pioneers is this. Soon all their visa types will be electronic.

Thirdly, you ask how Air Canada is placing themselves as risk by allowing passport holders from visa exempt countries to travel without a travel document. Firstly, you cannot legely be a tourist and a PR at the same time. So if they allow someone to board whoes PR has be removed, there is a good chance they will not be allowed entry. So Air Canada will be stuck with the fine. As is all but impossible to lose one's PR status until 2 years after landing, then they are safe from any problems from these individuals.

The fact the CIC, AIR Canada is treating PR's differently depending their nationality becomes a charter issue. Instead of defending the CIC maybe you should take a more critical approach to them. Remember, their (the CIC) interpretation of the immigration act is often incorrect - especially given the numner of times they lose when taken to court

 

[rjessome]

You bring up some interesting points. In the spousal/dependent children category of the FC class, there IS often little time given for travel between the time taken to issue the visa and to land in Canada. That is due to the fact that medicals are required at the beginning of the process. In this instance, I would agree with you that the time for landing should be extended with SOME visa offices depending upon how long processing of the application took. However, in the Economic classes (FSW, CEC, PNP), the medicals are done near the end of the process and the Right of Permanent Residence fees is requested as the very last thing. They are stong indicators of a successful application, very near 100% barring something significant being discovered either on the medical (which the applicant normally is aware of, although not 100% of the time and even then, the DMP usually informs them as well as CIC) or the applicant committing some sort of criminal act that would make them inadmissible. Passports are typically requested within 2 to 6 months after the medical is done, leaving the applicant approximately 6 months to land in Canada. IMHO, that is enough time to wrap up your affairs and land. For some it's not and if they don't have friends in Canada whose address they can provide to CBSA upon landing who can send them their PR cards, they can retain counsel to do this for them. I don't think this is unreasonable so we can agree to disagree.

It is not illegal to be a vistor and a permanent resident, it's impossible! You are one or the other. A person who is visa exempt and has lost their PR status due to not meeting residency obligations can easily surrender their PR and enter Canada as a visitor. Just because they are not a PR anymore does not mean they can`t visit. It`s when people who haven`t met the residency obligation try to slip by unnoticed to maintain PR that they get in trouble. And even a PR who arrives in Canada and has a section 44 report issued at the time of entry ALWAYS as the right of appeal and WILL be allowed entry for the inadmissibility hearing. So no fine for Air Canada. Gosh, even those who are new PRs but are not landed at the POE because of inadmissibility issues get the right of an appeal of the S44 report. Again, no fine for the airline. Air Canada isn`t the only airline with similar information published. Delta does too just to name one other.

Perhaps you misunderstood what I was saying about the transportation companies and immigration access. My statement was meant for Canada alone. I still believe what I said when it comes to Canada. Perhaps the coming years will prove me wrong but not without a fight from the privacy advocates.

Believe me, I do PLENTY of battling about CIC and hold them accountable to their laws, policies and procedures and have won quite a few wars where I believe CIC has wrongly interpretted the law. I HAVE read through countless threads and have been helping people on this forum for years. But this program is not one I complain about. For the past 3 years, initial issuance of PR cards has remained steady at 4 to 6 weeks. Unlike most of the other timelines, this one has stayed consistent. I understand where your comment comes from but in this case, I don`t see any evidence that it is likely.