URGENT: Renewing Expired PR Card

[benk]

Hello Leon and other experts:

I am now completing my PR card renewal application. I just have one question and hopefully you can help me out: Do I need to send my expired PR card together with my PR card renewal application OR do I hold on to it and surrender/destroy it upon receiving the new PR card? Thanks.

benk

 

[Leon]

According to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#5445E4 you hold on to it and destroy it when you get the new one.

1.Your PR Card

If you are applying to renew your present card, you should retain it until you receive your new card. If you are applying to replace a damaged card, send the damaged card with your application.

If you are asked to present yourself at a local CIC office, you must bring with you the previous card and the original documents of the copies you have included with your application. You will be asked to destroy your previous card once you receive the new one.

 

[benk]

Hi Leon,

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it.

However, I still want to clarify whether or not to include my expired PR card to my PR card renewal application.

On this page http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-first-pr-card.asp , it says that

1. Get the application package
...
...
Include these documents when you apply:

your PR card (if your card has expired or if the information on it is out of date or incorrect),
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
...
...

So, which of their instructions should I follow??? ???

Leon, when you renewed your expired PR card, did you include it in your application? I am just worried that if I don't include my expired PR card, they might just return my application and say that it is incomplete... Please help...

Thanks again in advance Leon!

 

[Msafiri]

The Immigration and Refugee Potection Act (IRPA) and Regs thereof prevail in situations such as this - neither ask for the card to be submitted at renewal presumably because they refer to an application without specifying if its for a first time, replacement, renewal etc. CIC don't really care but if it makes you sleep better as it seems it will sure send in your card. Many hang on to it for personal reasons but its no good for travel other than as proof that you once 'had' PR status.

 

[benk]

Thank you, Msafiri. If you, would you send in your expired PR card with your application OR would you just hold on to it without submitting it in your application?

Thanks.

 

[Leon]

When in doubt, look at the dates. The page you posted is updated on March 11th 2013. The page I posted, the instruction guide, is updated on July 16th 2013. The application form itself has the date 06-2013 so June and the checklist does not mention anything about sending it if it's expired so I would truly say that you would be safe not sending it. However, if you want to, you can. I am sure they will not send your application back if you do. I do recall that last I checked this, they did say to send it with the application if it was expired.

I also checked the CIC manual for PR cards, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/enf/enf27-eng.pdf It is even older, since 2006 and obviously from the time that they requested the PR cards back with the applications in all cases but still it says on page 30:

While applications for a new card may be filed at any time before the card expires, the
existing card must be returned with the application, as stated in R59(1)(d). For example,
applicants may have forgotten to return a previous PR card that is still valid at the time of
applying for a new card and that has not been reported lost or stolen. As a matter of
policy, CIC requests that expired cards be submitted with the request for renewal.

However, a new PR card will not be refused if the client does not return an expired PR
card. CIC does not intend to collect all expired cards from clients. Procedures are already
in place for permanent residents to surrender their card at citizenship ceremonies. If
clients claim that they have lost their card, they are required to complete the section of
the application form entitled Solemn Declaration (concerning a permanent resident card
that was lost, stolen, destroyed or never received) [IMM 5451E]. The previous card is
revoked in accordance with R59(2). In all cases, the CPC notifies the applicant
immediately of the refusal decision.

 

[Msafiri]

Thank you, Msafiri. If you, would you send in your expired PR card with your application OR would you just hold on to it without submitting it in your application?

Thanks.

Hang onto it then that way you can tell your kids when they lose stuff like their DLs hey look I still have my PR Card from back in 2013!!

 

[benk]

Thank you so much Leon and Msafiri. I decided that I will just hang on to my expired PR card and not submit it with my PR renewal application. Thanks.

 

[benk]

To Leon, Msafiri, and other experts:

I got one more question before I submit my PR card renewal application: As I mentioned before, I have lived in Canada for 800+ days continuously for the last 5 years. I can show my passport stamp and plane ticket that I have arrived here in Toronto 2+ years ago. I was unemployed the first few months after I arrived but got a job after that. I only have notice of tax assessments for the last 2 years. Do you think this will be a problem??? Is photocopying the entire passport (showing the arrival stamp) and no other stamps after that be enough to prove to them that I was here 2+ years in the last 5 years? Please help...

 

[benk]

Hi Leon, Msafiri, and other experts:

Please respond on my questions above...Thanks.

 

[Msafiri]

send photocopy of all passport pages stamped and non stamped...lack of stamps doesn't mean you never left in the 2 years that's why they want your tax records to link you to employment in Canada. What is the nature of your employment i.e is it a job that requires you to show up regularly in Canada say a standard 37-40 hours/week? Do you have the other required documents - the guide is clear as to what is required.

 

[benk]

Hi Msafiri,

Yes, I will be sending them all passport pages with or without stamp. I have a stamp that shows that I arrived here in Canada last 2+ years ago. There is no other stamps after that. My employment requires that I show up regularly... i.e. 40 hours per week. I did not leave Canada after my arrival here 2+ years ago, even for a single day. I can also provide them with the tax documents... However, I am just concerned with the first few months of unemployment after I arrived here 2+ years ago... Do you think this is be a big issue with the renewal?