Concerned about the status of your Permanent Resident Card in Canada?
Make sure you’re informed about the rules and the issues that may lead to you losing your Permanent Resident status.
If you need legal assistance to maintain/restore your PR status, contact us at any time.
REVOCATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENCY AFTER IMMIGRATING TO CANADA
Permanent resident (PR) status — even though provided indefinitely — can be rescinded if you fail to adhere to certain rules. The main requirement is to physically reside in Canada for no less than two years, out of any consecutive five-year period. Permanent residents may also have their status revoked if they are charged with a criminal offense, or any other action that would entail the enforcement of a removal order.
If you fail to adhere to either of these requirements, your PR status can and will be revoked.
Additionally, any permanent resident can be relieved of their status if they voluntarily relinquish their residency. PR status is also forfeited if the permanent resident transitions into a Canadian citizen.
HAVING AN EXPIRED CARD DOES NOT RESULT IN YOUR RESIDENCY BEING RESCINDED
All permanent residents are issued PR cards that serve as evidence of their legal status in Canada, and remain valid for five years. Like an expired passport does not mean loss of citizenship, an expired PR card does not result in loss of PR status — it just has to be renewed after a certain period of time. Permanent residents retain their status even with an expired PR card.
Expired cards need to be reissued in order to be used when traveling in and out of Canada: incoming travelers need to show a valid permanent resident card or Permanent Resident Travel Document at the border to be granted entry.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RESIDENCY OBLIGATIONS DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN LOSING PR STATUS
In certain situations, individuals are allowed to retain their status even without staying in the country for the required two years.
In particular, the indemnity covers permanent residents that are employed with Canadian companies and need to spend lengthy periods of time abroad in order to fulfill their work assignments. The exception is also extended to their spouses and dependents if they accompany the individual in question to their new location.
One must always ensure to submit proof of their particular circumstance to immigration authorities to prevent any unpleasant situations.
UNSURE IF YOUR PR STATUS at risk? CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST!
With no PR card renewal services available to individuals outside of Canada, finding out that your PR card is about to expire is especially unpleasant when traveling abroad. If possible, reaching out to a consultant may be of great help if you are uncertain about your particular situation. Getting support from a professional specialist means that your case will be presented to the authorities in the best light possible and usually results in higher success rates compared to non-supported applications. However, you may always reach out to the embassy or the Canadian consulate in the country you are visiting. Especially if you are in a country where your language isn’t spoken, this may protect you from scams.
Yes, it is possible.
If you haven’t been in Canada for at least 730 days ( 2 years), out of the last five years, your PR Status may be revoked.
Your PR Status may also be revoked if you:
- You used false documents or provided false information when you applied for or were sponsored for permanent resident status;
- You are convicted of a serious crime and ordered to leave Canada;
- You decide to voluntarily give up your permanent resident status;
- You have been given a removal order and it comes into force; or
It will inevitably be forfeited when:
- You become a Canadian Citizen.
If you’re outside Canada and don’t have a valid PR card, you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada. If you try to return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
Private vehicle
There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.
When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.
Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Otherwise, you may not be able to enter Canada as you need a valid permanent resident (PR) card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. If you know your card will expire when you’re traveling, renew it before you leave. You may be eligible for urgent processing. You can only renew your card in Canada. IRCC does not send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses and does not allow third parties to get them for you. It is also illegal to send personal identification documents unaccompanied across the Canadian border.
Validity
Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card. You need to be in Canada.
Check our processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card.
No, your permanent resident (PR) card will be mailed to you when you arrive in Canada.
If you did not provide your Canadian mailing address when you became a permanent resident, use IRCC’s online address notification tool to send it.You must provide your address within 180 days of the day you become a permanent resident. If you do not send it within 180 days, your PR card will be canceled and you will have to apply for another one and pay the processing fees.
Check current processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card. Make sure you notify IRCC if you did not get your PR card within the processing times.
If you are looking for more information about how to immigrate to Canada, contact us at inquiries@adventureimmigration.com. Don’t forget to leave your comments below in the comment section.
You can also book an appointment with us to speak to our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or one of our immigration representatives.
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