Status in Jeopardy
Permanent Residency that is in jeopardy is a serious matter, requiring a significant
amount of work. If you do not solve your Permanent Residence issue, you could lose
your status in Canada. Prices reflect the severity of the problem and the work load
required to solve it.
* Please Note: If your permanent resident status in Canada is in jeopardy
there will be a $75 consultation and assessment fee to answer any questions in this
matter. The appointment will take approximately 10 – 30 minutes, booked at your
convenience. Fees will be credited towards any future service you retain us for.
Order your service online and receive your Permanent Resident Card for Canada package.
We offer advice and full support with respect to preparing and submitting your PR
Card application.
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Service Fees
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$550.00 +
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HST
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$71.50
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Government Fee
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$50
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Courier fees
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$26.00
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Total CDN
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$697.50
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Note:
- If you became a Permanent Resident prior to 1978 processing time may be longer.
- This service does not include a request for significant amendments to your PR Card.
Please contact us for details.
What are the issues we can help you with?
- Request for urgent processing of your PR Card.
- Name change or date of birth issues.
- Lack of sufficient documents to apply for a Card.
- Your Embassy or Consulate will not provide your passport before you obtain your
Permanent Residence Card in Canada first.
- Your application has been returned to you by the processing centre.
- You need to check the status of your Permanent Resident Card application.
- You have already submitted your application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada
but you urgently need to go on a trip and need your
application
expedited
.
To be eligible for a PR Card, you must:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada be physically present in Canada.
- Not be under an effective removal order.
- Not be a Canadian citizen or a registered Indian under the Indian Act.
FAQs
If you don’t see your PR Card question in the FAQs, ask us! We will respond to any
question within one business day.
What is the Permanent Resident Card?
The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is a required document for permanent residents,
including children, who travel abroad and then return to Canada by any commercial
carrier (i.e. a plane, train, boat or bus). When you are returning to Canada you
will be asked to present the Permanent Residence Card before you board the carrier
that will take you back to Canada. Also, you will need to show your PR Card to the
Border Services Officer at the Canadian port of entry to prove your permanent residency
status. It is therefore imperative to have your PR Card in hand prior to leaving
Canada.
Click
here if you want to read more about the history of the PR Card.
If you are outside Canada and you do not have a valid Permanent Resident Card to
return to Canada, you will need to obtain a
travel
document
from a Canadian visa office. Immigroup provides assistance in obtaining a
travel
document
for our clients.
The PR Card is not a permanent card in Canada, so you must renew your Permanent
Resident Card every five years provided you meet the requirements to retain your
permanent Canadian residence status.
Who is eligible for a PR card?
In order to be eligible for permanent residence cards, people must be:
- Permanent residents of Canada.
- Physically present in Canada.
- Not subject to a removal orders.
- Not Canadian citizens or registered Indians under the Indian Act.
Who is a Permanent Resident?
A permanent resident is a foreign national who has immigrated to Canada and plans
to live there permanently. To keep Canadian resident status permanently, a permanent
resident must live in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. For more
information on permanent residency, please see What is a Permanent Resident?
How to be a Permanent Resident in Canada?
In order to become a permanent resident, you must first immigrate to Canada through
either the
federal
or
provincial
immigration
programs. If you are allowed to immigrate to Canada, you are on your way to
becoming a permanent resident. Once you are in Canada, you will be given your permanent
resident card. If you are here on a temporary resident visa or permit you are not
a permanent resident. If you are living in Canada temporarily but wish to become
a permanent resident, you must meet certain requirements. Once these are met, then
you must apply for permanent residence. Becoming a permanent resident is only one
step in the immigration process. To apply to be a permanent resident you must either
be allowed to immigrate to Canada through federal or provincial immigration programs
or you must be allowed through
government
refugee sponsorship
or
private refugee
sponsorship
. When applying for permanent residence you should make sure you are eligible under
one of these programs. Please see
How to
Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada
.
In Canada, to keep your permanent residency status it is not necessary to fill out
an application for a pr card. It is only necessary to fill out an application for
the PR Card if you plan on traveling outside of Canada. You do not have to renew
your permanent residence status; you just have to renew your card.
How do I get a Permanent Resident Card?
To get a permanent resident card, you should go onto
CIC’s
website
and read the guide (IMM
5445
). Then you should complete the application forms and pay your fees (making sure
you get your fee receipt and submit it with your application). Your application
needs to be mailed to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
If you want to use Immigroup to file your PR Card application,
download
the forms
and submit them to our office by fax (416-640-2650),
email,
mail, courier, or in person
. If you are using a service like Immigroup’s, you will need to complete a "Use
of Representative" (IMM
5476
), included in our package.
Where do I mail my Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)?
This depends on how you are sending your application.
If you are sending it by regular mail, you should send
it to the Case Processing Centre at :
P.O. Box 10020
Sydney, NS
B1P 7C1
However, if you are sending it by courier, you must send your application to:
210 George Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 1J3
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What shall I do if I am outside Canada and I have no valid
PR Card?
If you are outside Canada and you do not have a valid Permanent Resident Card to
return to Canada you will need to obtain a
travel document
from a Canadian visa office. Immigroup provides assistance in obtaining a
travel
document
for our clients.
What is the cost for a Canada Permanent Resident Card?
The cost of a PR Card is $50 CDN. The cost of the PR card through Immigroup depends
on the processing time. For a regular filing that takes about 4-6 months, Immigroup
charges”$225 + $50 government fee. For urgent filings (3-8 weeks) we charge $325
+ 50$ government fee. The fees are greater for more serious problems.
How do I pay the Parmanent Resident Card fee?
All CIC fees must be paid in Canadian dollars. You can pay the $50 fee in one of
two ways:
-
Online
with
- A Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card
- A printer and
- An email address
- In person at a Canadian financial institution. In order to do so you must get a
fee receipt (IMM
5401
) first
How long does it take to get a PR Card?
You should get your PR card within a month of moving to Canada, as long as you have
provided an address. Sometimes it can take slightly longer than that. It can a very
long time to get a replacement or renewal PR card. Applications with no proof of
urgency take at least 4-6 months. Please see
Timeline
for Permanent Resident Card
.
What are the PR Card photo requirements?
The PR card photo should measure
35
mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″)
. The photos can be either back and white or color. Photos must have been taken
within the last 12 months to ensure an up-to-date likeness. Your face must be facing
the camera directly, with a neutral expression. The back of the photo should bear
the date the photo was taken. You should take the photo specifications from Appendix
B with you to the photographer.
How to obtain a PR Card in Toronto?
All PR card applications (IMM 5444s
) are submitted by mail to the
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
(CIC) office in Sydney, Nova Scotia. If you would like us to help you with
your PR card application, you can visit our Toronto Office:
Address:
1180 Danforth Ave,
Toronto, Ontario
M4J 1M3
Tel: 416-962-2623
Toll Free: 1-866-760-2623
Fax: 416-640-2650
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Or, alternatively, Download the PR card Kit and fax (416-640-2650), mail
or courier it to the above address.
How do I keep my Parmanent Resident status?
Your permanent resident status allows you to live in Canada, and travel freely outside
of the country, but there is also a time limit on how much time you can spend outside
of Canada. To keep your status as a permanent resident in Canada, you must live
in Canada for at least two years within any given five-year period. If your status
as a permanent resident in Canada is questionable because of the number of days
you have been abroad, it could be risky to complete the PR Card application; better
to remain within Canada until you are less at risk of losing your status.
What if my Permanent Resident Card is lost, destroyed, stolen?
If this happens you should immediately call
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada (CIC)
. If you had it stolen or lost it, we also advise that you call the police to prevent
identity theft. Immigroup can help replace a lost, damaged or stolen PR Card.
What if I have applied for my Permanent Resident Card but
never received it?
If it has been longer than the
average
wait time
, you should contact CIC immediately. If you haven’t waited the full length of time
(usually 4-8 months) you should wait and see. But once the standard wait time has
passed you should contact CIC immediately if you still haven’t received your pickup
notice.
Do I have to have a Permanent Resident Card?
It is mandatory for all Canadian Permanent Residents to present a valid PR Card
to flight, bus, boat, or train personnel before boarding any flight, bus, boat or
train returning to Canada. A valid PR Card must be presented to an immigration officer
when you enter Canada at any port of entry. If you are a permanent resident living
in Canada and intending to travel outside of the country for any length of time,
you need a permanent resident card.
Do my children need one?
Yes, if they are traveling outside of Canada. All Canadian Permanent Residents,
including children, must show a valid PR Card in order to re-enter Canada. Children
of a Canadian Permanent Resident who were born in Canada are Canadian Citizens and
only need a valid
Canadian
Passport
for re-entry to Canada.
The name that appears on my Canadian Permanent Resident Card
is not complete
There is only space for 20 letters for a last name and 15 letters for first and
middle names on a PR Card. If your name is longer than this it will be incomplete
on your PR Card. But it is completely acceptable and will not present a problem,
even if the name that appears on you SIN card is complete, and therefore different
from the name that appears on your PR Card.
If, however, your name – or the first 15 or 20 letters of your name – is spelled
incorrectly, you should contact CIC immediately. Immigroup helps people fix these
spelling mistakes regularly and we can be reached at 1-866-760-2623. We will arrange
for a replacement card to be sent with your name spelled properly. If there is a
problem with your
Record
of Landing
you should contact CIC ASAP. Immigroup also helps people with spelling errors
on Records of Landing and we would be glad to help, just call 1-866-760-2623.
Do I need my PR Card if I’m returning to Canada by car?
No. The PR Card is only required for a return to Canada by commercial carrier, such
as a boat, bus, train or airplane. We do advise, however, that you have it with
you whenever you travel as you may avoid hassle and delays at the border if you
carry it with you when you travel to the US by car.
I hold a Record of Landing (IMM 1000
); do I still need a Canadian Permanent Resident Card?
Yes, if you plan to travel outside of Canada. As of December 30, 2003 the IMM 1000
is no longer considered a valid document for return to Canada. This includes certified
copies of IMM 1000 forms, IMM 1000 forms stamped “Not valid for travel” and “Confirmation
of Permanent Residence
”, or IMM 5292, forms. These documents will continue to be valid while you are outside
of Canada, however in order to return to Canada you will need a PR Card or a Temporary
Travel Document.
What do I do if I’m outside Canada and I don’t have my card?
Canadian Permanent residents who are outside of Canada and wish to return, but do
not have a PR Card, should apply for a temporary
Travel
Document
. The application must be downloaded and submitted to the applicable Canadian visa
office. Immigroup can help with this process.
In section B of the PR Card Application it asks for a work
history for the last five years – I haven’t been in Canada for that long, do I have
to give a work history prior to immigrating?
No, you are only required to provide a work history for the years that you have
been a Canadian Permanent Resident.
Will I ever need a Canadian Permanent Resident Card inside
Canada?
It is possible that certain Canadian agencies will ask to see your PR Card to verify
whether or not you are eligible for certain programs and services so it is a good
idea to have a PR card even if you don’t intend to travel outside of the country
as this can simplify many applications.
For new immigrants is the cost of a PR Card included in the
overall fee for an application for permanent residence?
Yes. However, if you are already a landed immigrant in Canada and do not have a
PR Card, the government fee to obtain one is $50 per applicant. if you use Immigroup
to process and submit your application, or to advise you on your status, there will
be additional charges, displayed above.
What if I change my name?
If you change your name you should change your name on all your identity documents.
To change the name on your PR Card, you must include a notarized copy of the change
of name (divorce
certificate
,
marriage
certificate
,
recognition
of legal change of name
) and you must include your
Record
of Landing
.
There is a typo on my landing paper (example: Birth date,
first or last name)
If you wish to correct this mistake, the process can be very simple or extremely
complicated. How easy it will be to amend it will depend on what has to be changed
and what caused the mistake to happen. Please contact
CIC
as soon as you can. If you would like assistance with this, please contact
us at 1-866-760-2623.
I have a criminal record can I apply for a PR Card?
If you have a criminal record, this does not affect the PR Card, but it could cause
problems if you decide to travel, especially to the United States. Also, a criminal
record may affect your Canadian citizenship application whenever you choose to apply.
If you have concerns about becoming a Canadian Citizen because of a criminal record
you should contact
Canadian
Citizenship and Immigration
or you can call us for a consultation at 1-866-760-263.
I am traveling; How can I get my Permanent Resident Card
(PR Card) fast?
CIC will process applications on an
expedited basis
, if you have proof of travel, such as a plane ticket or an itinerary. You must
include this proof with your application. Immigroup can help you apply for
expedited
processing
My application was sent back what do I do now?
The government should have sent you a cover sheet explaining the problem(s) with
your application. Carefully read this cover sheet and follow all instructions included
(remember this is only a standard letter) and adjust your application to meet requirements.
It a good idea to courier your new application package to CIC (210
George Street, Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
) in order to get the application processed as quickly as possible. Remember to
obtain a tracking number. You should not use Canada Post’s registered mail as it
will take too long. Call
CIC
5-10
business days after your package has arrived in order to make sure it can
be processed.
Can a family member pick up the PR Card on my behalf?
If you have just immigrated to Canada you will receive your PR Card at the address
you provided at your time of entry. If you have filed a permanent resident card
renewal or replacement application before April, 2012, you will likely have to pickup
the card in person. If you did receive a pickup notice, a family member cannot pick
up the PR Card even with a letter from you giving them permission to do so. If for
some reason you are incapable of picking up your new card in person, you must contact
CIC at least one business day before you are supposed to pick up your new card so
that something else can be arranged. You should be able to demonstrate to CIC that
you cannot pick up the card in person. Note: Even though CIC is now mailing PR cards
directly to the applicant’s address, CIC can still request that you pickup your
PR card from them for any reason.
I lost my pick up notice how can I get a new on?
You can go to CIC’s
website
and get your electronic pick up notice there or give them a call at 1-888-242-2100.
If you remember where to go and the date you need to be there, you can still pick
up your card without the notice provided you bring with you your Passport, landing
paper (IMM
1000
) and one photo ID; this should be enough for the officer to find you in their system.
What do I take with me at the time of pick up?
In addition to your pickup notice you received from CIC, you must bring with you
your Passport, your landing paper (IMM
1000
), and one other photo ID (such as a driver’s license or provincial photo card).
If you do not bring this identification, you may not be able to get your PR card.
How do I check the status on my PR Card?
Please visit https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/?app=ecas&lang=en
where you can check the status of your application. You should have at least one
of the following with you when you check your status
Without at least one of these, you will not be able to check your status. If you
are missing the required documentation and / or you would like assistance with this
process please contact us at Immigroup at -866-760-263
I called the government a few times and I am told different
things on the same question, what should I believe?
It’s most reassuring to get the same question answered the same way twice from a
government officer. To do this you may need to call a few times. If this does not
work, speak to an immigration consultant, such as the ICCRC-certified consultant
at Immigroup, in order to help clarify the situation.
Can I send all my family’s PR Applications at one time?
Yes, but you should be sure to put each application in a separate envelope. Unfortunately,
sending all your family’s applications together does not mean that each application
will be ready at the same time.
I lost my PR Card what should I do?
Although you are under no obligation to do so, it is a good idea to report a lost
PR Card to the police. To replace your PR Card you need to file a PR Card application
as if you were getting one for the first time.
I just came to Canada, when would I get my PR Card?
About 30 business days after you arrive, the government will send it to the address
you have given them, and so if you are not living there you will need to check that
mailbox. Sometimes the pictures that were sent to CIC will be incorrect. You will
be notified and asked to go to a local CIC office to have your pictures re-done.
This will cause a delay in the delivery of your PR Card so if you have had your
pictures re-taken do not expect the PR card within 30 business days of your arrival.
My PR Card is expiring, what now?
You will need to apply for a new PR Card, which you can do by visiting Citizenship
and Immigration’s
website
. You can also use
our services
.
Is a Permanent Resident Card a Green Card?
In the United States, Permanent Resident Cards are known as Green Cards because
they are sometimes green. Green Card can also refer to the process of becoming a
permanent resident in the US. There is no Green Card in Canada. Here, Permanent
Residence Cards used to be known as Maple Leaf Cards because of the leaf on the
card, but most people in Canada call a Permanent Residency card a PR card instead
of a Maple Card. A Canadian Green Card is a Permanent Resident Card.
I got my Permanent Residency status in Canada before 2000
but I heard that the PR Card has changed in the meantime. What do I need to do?
If you became a permanent resident before Jun 28, 2002, and you wish to travel outside
of Canada, you need to apply for a PR Card as your Record of Landing (IMM
1000
) can no longer be used as a travel document.
How do I do renew my Permanent Resident Card?
To renew your permanent residence card you must apply as if it was your first permanent
residency card. In Canada, there is no difference between permanent resident card
renewal and permanent resident cards for permanent residents who only ever had their
Record of Landing (IMM1000). To renew your PR you must complete the
IMM
5444
application and the supplementary forms and submit them to Citizenship and
Immigration Canada. Renewing your PR Card can also be done through
Immigroup
.
Is PR Card renewal Permanent Residency renewal?
Renewing a permanent residence card is not renewing your permanent resident status.
However, the renewal of your permanent resident card in Canada can create problems
for you if you do not have enough days in Canada when you apply for the new card.
If you have not spent the required two out of any five years in Canada while you
have permanent resident status you could be in danger of having that status revoked.
What is the supplementary form or IMM 5455 and where can
I get it?
You can download the supplementary form from
CIC’s website
or from Immigroup.
I thought you could not get the IMM 5455 online, only by
mail or courier.
That was true until January 2012. Before then, you had to contact CIC and they would
mail you a copy of the IMM 5455 in a couple of weeks. As of January 2012, you can
now download the
IMM
5455
from CIC’s website or as part of the application for a permanent resident
card
above
.
Can you renew your PR Card from outside of Canada?
No, you cannot renew your PR card from outside of Canada. In order to maintain permanent
residency status in Canada you must spend two years out of any five year period
living in Canada. CIC makes PR card applicants renew from inside the country to
help ensure applicants really are permanent residents. As of April, 2012, CIC is
now mailing PR cards directly to applicants, but they will only be shipped to addresses
within Canada.
How many days outside of Canada are too many?
In order to meet the permanent residence requirements, you must spend at least two
years in five to remain a permanent resident. This means you must spend 730 days
out of 1825 days in the country. So the most you can spend outside of the country
is 1095. Any permanent resident who has spent more than 1095 days outside of Canada
during a five year period will lose their status. However, this is the absolute
maximum number of days you could conceivably be outside of the country. We strongly
recommend that you ensure that you spend far less than 1095 days outside of the
country. Permanent residence status can be revoked at the discretion of CIC and
so you could lose your status even though you have spent less than 1095 days outside
of Canada within the five year period, if CIC thinks that you are fulfilling the
requirements of permanent residency status in Canada. We recommend that you spend
as much time in Canada as possible and, if you are from certain countries, you should
limit your time outside of Canada to half as many days as the maximum (about 500)
to be safe. To find out whether you are in danger of losing your status next time
you renew your PR card you can
contact us
for a consultation.
What is the processing time for a Permanent Resident Card?
The processing time for the initial PR Card granted you when you enter Canada is
supposed to be around a month, though as of February 2012 it was seven weeks.It
is around 4-6 months for renewals / replacements, unless you have chosen urgent
processing and provided proof of urgency, you may be able to get your Permanent Residence
Card within three-four weeks.
Is a Permanent Resident Card a permanent visa to Canada?
Visas are documents countries issue to travelers, students and workers to enter
their borders on a temporary basis. Visas are not normally permanent, though they
can sometimes allow the holder to apply for a more permanent type of status. Permanent
Residency Cards are for those who have already immigrated to Canada and therefore
no longer require visas. However, permanent residence is not citizenship and so
a permanent resident is technically a visa holder even if he or she is not possession
of something called a “permanent visa.”
If I am a Permanent Resident, does that make me a permanent
citizen too?
Permanent residents are not citizens. In order to become a citizen of Canada you
must either have been born there, been born to a Canadian abroad (and exercised
your rights to Canadian citizenship before you 27th birthday) or have been naturalized.
In order to be naturalized, you must first be a permanent resident and then you
must
apply for
Canadian citizenship
.
What do I do if I can’t find a guarantor for my PR Card application?
As of 2008, you no longer need a guarantor to apply for a permanent residence card.
I have applied for my Permanent Resident Card but I need
to travel before it will be ready. Can I travel without it?
It is recommended that you wait until you have received your PR Card before leaving
Canada. However, if circumstances do not allow you to wait, you can apply for a
Permanent
Resident Abroad Travel Document
. This Application can be done through our office. You will need this document in
order to board a commercial carrier to return to Canada.
If, however, you hold a passport from a
visitor-visa-exempt
country
most carriers will allow you to travel. Upon returning to Canada you will
be required to show proof of your Canadian Permanent Residence.
For those who are not nationals of visitor-visa-exempt countries, you may be able
to re-enter Canada if you provide proof of your application and your application
date. This is a risky process which could involve some degree of hassle at the port
of entry and so we do not recommend attempting it without first discussing it with
an immigration consultant.
I have Record of Landing but I haven’t got my PR Card yet.
Have I lost my status?
No. Your permanent residency status in Canada hasn’t changed, but you should get
a permanent resident card if you have any intentions of traveling or merely to prove
your status. You will need your original
Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
to apply and you should keep your IMM 1000 in a safe place even after you
have received your PR Card.
How long do I have to stay here to remain a Permanent Resident?
You must live in Canada for a minimum of 2 years in any 5 year period. If you have
not spent enough time in Canada, and leave the country, you may not be admitted
when you attempt to return.
What happens if I return home to my own country and my Permanent
Resident Card expires while I am outside I am there?
You should contact the nearest
Canadian
visa office
.They should issue you a special Travel Document, intended specifically for permanent
residents in your position, which will let you to return to Canada (provided, of
course, that you continue to meet the requirements to maintain permanent residency
status). You will have a lot of trouble entering if you do not have this document.
Once you are back in Canada, you should replace your PR Card as soon as you can
to prevent this from happening in the future.
I have applied for Citizenship and my application is being
processed. What should I do with my permanent resident card once I become a Canadian
citizen?
When you are granted Canadian citizenship, your PR Card will be cancelled and so
will be invalid. As part of the process of becoming a Canadian citizen, you should
be required to turn your card over to authorities so it can be destroyed. If for
some reason this does not happen, you should destroy it yourself (ensuring that
it cannot be used by anyone attempting to steal your identity) as it is unlawful
to have duplicate photo IDs (in this case, a PR Card claiming you are a permanent
resident and a citizenship card claiming you are a citizen).
Do I need to show my Permanent Resident Card when I return
from the US?
No, you do not have to, but it is a good idea. You must prove to Canadian Border
Services that you are a permanent resident.
CIC
and CBS recommend the PR Card as the best proof
, though it isn’t mandatory at land crossings with the US only (all other ports
of entry require you to show your PR Card). If for some reason you cannot bring
your PR Card with you, CBS will accept one of the following:
If you are re-entering Canada with one of these documents instead of your PR Card,
you will likely be subject to an interview, so it is best to bring your PR Card
with you or, if you don’t already have one, you should get one before you travel
to the US.
I need to replace my PR Card ASAP. Can I do this immediate?
It depends upon the reasons you need the new PR Card. If you need this new card
because your old one is expiring, you will have to apply the usual way. If you need
it as a piece of ID for some kind of application process, you will also have to
apply the usual way. The only reason
CIC
accepts for urgent processing is if you have already made travel plans. In
this case, you must submit proof of your impending travel with your application.
Proof can be a plane ticket, an itinerary purchased from a travel agent, or something
similar.
Do I need to submit anything else with the application form?
You need to include the following documentation with your application. If you do
not your application may be delayed or rejected.
- A good copy of the ID page in your valid passport OR a good copy of the ID page
and the entry stamp in your passport at the time of your landing in Canada
- A good copy of your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) OR your Confirmation of Permanent
Residence
- Two PR Card photos taken in accordance with the
CIC photo specifications
.
- A good copy of your Driver’s License, your provincial photo ID, or your university
/ college ID
- Copies of all pages in all passports held over the last five years
- A good copy of one of the following
- Your notice of assessment from
Revenue
Canada
OR
- Your Record of Movement OR
- Your university transcript (if applicable) OR
- Your school records (children only)
- Your current or expired PR Card
- Proof of urgency (if applicable)
- If you have changed your name (or the spelling of your name) since your last
PR card, you must include a Marriage Certificate or Legal Name Change
Please Note: All documents which are not in English or French must be translated
into either English or French
Please Note: The only original document you need is your current or expired PR Card.
All other documents can be photocopied, provided the copies are legible.
Does my Permanent Resident Card expire?
Yes it does. A PR Card has an expiry date which is five years after it was issued.
However, this does not mean your permanent residence in Canada is terminated when
the card itself expires. As long as you have not violated any of Canada’s laws and
you have met the residency requirement of remaining in Canada for 730 days in a
five year period, you can renew you PR card.
Do I need a Permanent Resident Card if I have my Record of
Landing (IMM 1000)?
No, you do not need a PR Card in addition to your record of landing if you intend
on never leaving Canada while a permanent resident. If you would like to travel,
though, you will need a PR Card in order to re-enter the country.
I am a Canadian Permanent Resident with a PR card. However,
I only have a Certificate of Identity (Brown Book), not a passport. Do I need a
visa to visit the EU?
You should not need a visa to enter the EU for a period of less than 90 days provided
you are not from a Schengen area country. One of the requirements of carrying a
Canadian Certificate of Identity is that you cannot return to your country of citizenship,
which failed to give you a passport.
I am a Permanent Resident. Can I get a FAST Card?
Yes, you can get a FAST Card, provided you meet other eligibility requirements.
Please see
http://immigroup.com/FASTCardFaqs.aspx
for details.
I am a Permanent Resident in Canada for only one year but
my child was born in Canada. Does my kid get Canadian citizenship? Can I become
a Canadian Citizen too?
Your child is a Canadian Citizen as anyone born in Canada is a Canadian. If you
registered your child’s birth and received a birth certificate you do not need to
do anything else for your child at the moment, though it is important to make sure
you get them a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before they are old enough to work.
To apply for your own Canadian Citizenship, your permanent resident status must
not be in jeopardy and you must wait till you have lived here three out of four
years before you can apply.
Hello I am applying for my Permanent Resident Card from as
a Convention refugee. My passport expired last year and I haven’t been able to renew
it because I am a refugee. Can I still get my PR Card?
Yes you can, but you need to provide your expired passport as part of the application
process.
What do I do if I don’t have enough IDs with pictures on
them?
You need is your passport, your driver’s license, your current / expired PR card,
your
Record of Landing
, other current passports (if applicable), and your Notice of Assessment or your
Record of Movement. But if you don’t have these, proof of your identity can be established
using other identification. First, all Canadian provinces and territories have provincial
/ territorial photo ID cards now, which you can use as your ID in case you do not
drive. As of April 2012, CIC is also accepting Canadian university or college student
ID cards, if you are a student, as well. If you don’t have your Notice of Assessment
or your Record of Movement, you can supply a university transcript, provided you
are a student. In place of your child’s Notice of Assessment or Record of Movement,
you can submit their school records.
How many pictures do I need and what are the requirements?
You need two identical photos taken and certified by a professional photographer.
The photos must clearly show your full facial features, with a plain white background,
and they must have been taken within the last 12 months. The size of your head must
be made to measure between 25 mm and 30 mm from chin to crown; the size of the entire
photo must have the measurements of 35 mm x 45 mm. They must be on photographic
paper that has a backing which accepts and retains the date. Photos without this
backing are not acceptable.
How long do I have to pick up my card once it has been issued?
Your card will stay in the local CIC office for 6 months. If you fail to pick the
card up in this time frame you will have to begin the process from the beginning.
As of April 2012, CIC is now mailing PR Cards to applicants; if you have submitted
your application after this time, you may not have to pick it up in person.
I have more than 1095 days outside of Canada in the last
five years, what should I do?
Do not leave Canada again until you are safely well under the maximum. Depending
upon where you are from, it may be advisable to wait a year or more before you renew
your PR Card.
I want to apply for my PR card and I am outside of the country
but I have not met the days requirement.
Your status is in Jeopardy. You must prove when you are outside of Canada you were
either with a Canadian Citizen spouse or you were working for a Canadian company.
You must show evidence of this in order to retain your status, for example:
- Photographs of you and your Canadian spouse.
- Bills that show both your name and your spouse’s name.
- Or, if you are working abroad, bills with the Canadian companies name.
- Any other evidence you can provide to show you were outside of Canada with your
Canadian spouse or in the employ of a Canadian firm.
If you cannot prove this, you will likely lose your Canadian permanent residency
status and be unable to re-enter Canada for the foreseeable future. If you would
like a consultation please contact us at 1-866-760-2623. If you lose your status
but need to re-enter Canada for some reason, Immigroup may be able to help you get
a
temporary
resident permit
or authorization to return to Canada.
I landed in Canada before 1973 and I have never got around
to applying for a PR Card, what should I do?
You can apply for a PR Card like any other permanent resident. However, you should
know that your application will take longer as it will involve a search of paper
archives and records that could significantly lengthen the process. If you intend
to travel outside of Canada any time soon, you should apply immediately.
Are there any exceptions to the 1095 day rule?
There are very specific exceptions to this rule, but they do not apply to most permanent
residents. If you spend more than 1095 days outside of the country in the employment
of a Canadian-owned business, your status will be maintained. However, you and your
employer must prove to
Canada
Border Services
and
CIC
that you were on business. Proof includes receipts, tickets, contracts and
the like. We cannot stress enough that you should check with CIC before working
long-term outside of Canada as a permanent resident in order to make sure you do
not lose your status.
What nationalities are at risk of losing a PR card when outside
of the country for close to but not over 1095 days?
Though CIC does not officially identify any groups of people as more at risk of
losing their status than others, and though the official policy is that a permanent
resident must spend 730 days in Canada within 5 years, many people have lost their
PR status for spending far less than 1095 days outside of Canada within 5 years.
Nationals from countries with a poor track record of meeting permanent residency
requirements are unfortunately more likely to be at risk. There is no definitive
list of which nationalities have been targeted, and the best thing to do as a permanent
resident is to spend far more than 730 days within Canada during any five year period,
regardless of nationality.
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What is a Permanent Resident?
In any country there are citizens and there are foreign nationals who are not citizens.
In order for these foreign nationals to enter this country, they require special
permission, a visa (in some cases the visa may be waived, such as Canadians entering
the US and vice versa). Most countries have many types of visas to accommodate the
different reasons foreign nationals may have to visit. Some countries allow foreign
nationals to reside within their borders permanently, either for the purposes of
becoming a citizen in the future or for some other reason, such as commerce. Only
about one quarter of the countries in the world have some kind of official permanent
resident designation, so in other countries you must either be a citizen or on a
temporary visa. Permanent resident status – and its requirements – differs amongst
these 50 or so countries. Some common restrictions to permanent residence status
include
- They cannot vote - they cannot run for office
- They cannot apply for government jobs
- They cannot apply for any jobs involving national security clearances
- They cannot own certain types of property
- They must keep the passport of the country where they are a citizen and cannot get
one for their country of residence
- They are not protected by their country of residence’s diplomatic service
These are privileges usually only available to full citizens.
There are also certain obligations that permanent residents must meet in order to
retain their status or to move from being a permanent resident to becoming a citizen
of that country. This can include keeping a job or keeping a business, or serving
in or registering for military service, or remaining in the country for a designated
period of time,
as
in Canada
. Lost of status can result from failing to comply with the obligations or restrictions
for permanent residents, for because of criminal convictions.
Permanent residency is usually part of a process that leads to citizenship. Most
countries allow permanent residents to apply for naturalisation after a given period
of time. In some countries, though, naturalization is not merely based on duration
of permanent residency but also on so-called “character” grounds. In those countries
it is possible for people to remain permanent residents indefinitely, without ever
becoming citizens (it is possible for most permanent residents to do this, but in
many cases people become permanent residents in order to later become citizens).
In many countries Permanent Residents are required to carry proof of their status,
whereas citizens may not. This proof of status can be a stamp in or attachment to
the national’s home passport, but is more commonly a photo ID card. In Canada, there
are two types of proof of status, the
Record
of Landing (IMM 1000)
and the PR Card. The Record of Landing is sufficient proof of status within
Canada; however permanent residents traveling outside of Canada have required the
PR Card since 2003. Permanent residents who emigrated to Canada before the
PR
Card
was required may still only hold their Record of Landing as proof of status
within the country, as long as they do not travel overseas.
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to FAQs
Filling
Out the Permanent Resident Card Application Form
If you are applying for a new PR Card, you must fill out form
IMM
5444
. While parts of this form are straightforward, there may be areas that may cause
some confusion to the applicant.
Date you became a Permanent Resident of Canada: This
is the date when you first entered Canada as a permanent resident. Check your Record
of Landing for this date.
Section A.5: Name Change: This applies if you have
legally changed your name since you first came into the country. Examples of this
can include a woman who got married and adopted her husband’s last name or of someone
from another country who adopted an anglicized name. You need to provide evidence
of the change to show that you are the same person.
Section C.19: Address History: You must list all
your addresses where you have lived for the past 5 years or since you became a permanent
resident. This includes any addresses outside of Canada. If you returned to your
native country for a few months, you must list the address where you were living.
Section C.20: Educational and/or work experience:
You must list all of your educational and/or work experiences since becoming a permanent
resident of Canada. This includes any experiences you had even if you were outside
of Canada.
Section C.21: Travelled or lived outside of Canada:
If you have travelled outside of Canada or lived outside the country at any point
since becoming a permanent resident, you must list all the places that are applicable.
Section D: Residency Obligation: In order to receive
a new PR Card, Citizenship and Immigration must verify that you are still eligible
to be a permanent resident of the country. The law stipulates that if you have been
outside of Canada for 1095 days or more (3 years) in a period of five years since
receiving your residency, then you have lost your PR status.
However, the law does regulate that a person who has left the country under certain
conditions will not have the days that they were absent count against their residency
obligation. These conditions are:
- If you left in the company of Canadian spouse or guardian. You will have to provide
proof of that person’s citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship
card) as well as proof of your relationship (marriage certificate or guardianship
papers) and that you were in their company.
- If you were sent overseas by a Canadian business or by a Canadian federal or provincial
public service. You must provide evidence of your employment overseas.
- If you were in the company of a Canadian spouse or guardian who was sent overseas
by a Canadian business or employed by either a provincial or federal agency. You
must both prove that you are related to or in the guardianship of the person and
that the person was employed by a Canadian business or governmental agency abroad.
- If you were absent while in possession of a valid “Returning Resident Permit” (RRP).
An RRP is a document that will allow you to keep your residency while you are outside
of Canada. The document states that you have no intention of abandoning your residency
even though you are outside Canada. You can apply for this permit at a Canadian
consulate.
Section F:Solemn declaration concerning a lost, stolen, destroyed,
or never received PR Card: You must only fill this part out if you lost
your card, had it stolen, destroyed, or you never received the PR Card. Citizenship
and Immigration will want to know what happened to the PR Card and what measures
you have taken to find it.
- If you lost your PR Card: You should write where you normally keep your PR Card
and what caused it to be lost. Also indicate the steps that you took to find the
card.
- If your PR Card was stolen: Indicate at what time and place the theft took place.
You should also notify local police of the theft and include a copy of the police
report in your submission.
- If your PR Card was destroyed: Indicate what caused the PR Card to be destroyed
and if you can still produce your card, include it in the application.
- If you never received your card: If you have yet to receive your PR Card, indicate
when you applied for it, and (if possible) provide proof that the application was
received by Citizenship and Immigration. Also indicate that you have waited the
regular time to receive the card and that you have contacted Citizenship and Immigration
to find out the status of your card.
Back
to FAQs
Timeline
for receiving a Canadian Permanent Resident Card
A PR Card will be mailed out to all new immigrants usually within 30 business days
of entry. The processing time for replacements for lost or stolen PR Cards, or PR
Cards for applicants who entered Canada before June 28, 2002 is currently 137 calendar
days as of February, 2012, but is subject to change at any time. For updates in
processing times for Canadian Permanent Resident cards, please check the
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada website
.
Can my application be processed faster?
In urgent cases it is sometimes possible to speed up the processing time for a PR
Card. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada will evaluate the need on a per-case
basis. Here’s what you can do to speed up your Canadian Permanent Resident Card
application process:
- If you have not yet sent your application, be sure
to do so as quickly as possible and include whatever proof of urgency you have (purchased
plane tickets, purchased itineraries, etc.). If you would like help to ensure your
application is as good as it could be and you have the required proof of urgency,
contact
Immigroup’s office
as quickly as possible. We will quickly send you all related Permanent Resident
Card application forms or you can come to our Toronto location and have everything
done on the spot.
- If you have sent your PR Card application without proof
of urgency but need your PR card sooner than CIC processing times show it will be
processed fax the following information to Immigroup at 416-640-2650: Your surname
and given name, your client ID number (if you have one), your birth date, your home
address, your telephone number, your e-mail address (if you have one), a copy of
your plane ticket and a copy of the pages in your passport showing your name, photograph
and birth date. Once this information has been received by our office, you will
be contacted within the same day to let you know whether you have a
chance to speed
up your PR Card application process
. Remember that you are sending your information to our company first. In turn,
we review it to make sure it is in order. The Immigroup representative will deal
with the government on your behalf. If processing of your PR Card application has
not begun then you may want to apply for a temporary travel document if you must
travel before you will receive your PR Card. You can get one through
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
or by calling Immigroup.
Canadian Permanent Resident Card Delivery
PR Cards for new immigrants will be
sent
by mail
to the address given at the time of entry – if you did not give an address
at that time, you should provide one as soon as possible to CIC or an immigration
representative, such as Immigroup, who will deal with CIC on your behalf.
Current Canadian Permanent Residents who request a card will have to pick up their
cards at the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. A notice will be
sent to you when your PR Card is ready. PR Cards must be picked up within 180 days
of issue or they will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.
If the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office is too far
away from me, can my Canadian Permanent Resident Card be mailed to me?
Before April 2012, existing Canadian Permanent Residents who request a PR Card were
required to pick it up in person in order to confirm their identities. CIC is now
mailing PR Cards to permanent residents, however this process has not been fully
implement at all offices at the time of this writing, so you may receive your card
in the mail or you may receive a pickup notice. If you receive a pickup notice,
it cannot be mailed to you. However, if you are unable to appear at your appointment
you can contact the CIC to make alternate arrangements. Within Toronto, if you miss
your first appointment a second one will be automatically rescheduled for you within
90 days. A letter will be sent to you telling you the time of the new appointment.
If you miss your second appointment a third one will be scheduled for you. If you
do not attend the third, and final, appointment, your card will be destroyed and
you will have to reapply. Outside of Toronto if you miss your first appointment
you must call to reschedule yourself. If you do not reschedule your appointment
a notice will be sent to you near the end of the six-month (180 day) period instructing
you to reschedule. After 180 days a PR Card that has not been picked up will be
destroyed.
Back to FAQs
History
of the Canadian Permanent Resident Card
The
Canadian
Permanent Resident Card
became the legal proof of status document required for Canadian Permanents
Residents to re-enter Canada on any commercial carrier (i.e. airplanes, boats, trains
or buses) on December 31, 2003. The PR Card was created as a replacement for the
IMM 1000 Record of Landing Document previously issued to new permanent residents
of Canada upon arrival.
The Canadian Permanent Resident card was introduced in an effort to increase Canadian
border security after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
The US government was worried that potential terrorists could be using Canada as
a means to enter the United States and wanted the Canadian government to equip their
permanent residents with an ID card instead of the government-issued piece of paper
they had used as proof of status previously. This standard has been applied to Canadian
citizens as well as permanent residents, as Canadian citizens now must present their
passport – or at land borders their enhanced driver’s license, which contains similar
security features to the PR Card –
to
US Customs and Border Protection in order to enter
. The Canadian government complied in order to ease travel between the two countries
and to assist the US with its security concerns. It is now easier for both the US
CBP and Canadian Border Services Agency to determine who travelers are – and whether
or not they could pose a risk – regardless of citizenship.
In addition of being a photo ID card instead of a piece of paper, the PR Card has
many security features and is designed to provide Permanent Residents of Canada
with a more secure, convenient means of proving their status. The PR Card is designed
to protect the privacy of the cardholder as well as being more difficult to tamper
and duplicate illegally. Security features include:
- Only non-secure personal information is printed on the card. Personal information
that was previously included on the IMM 1000 Record of Landing document, or the
Confirmation of Permanent Residence document, is encoded on the card and available
only to authorized officials with the appropriate equipment.
- The photograph and signature of the PR Card’s holder is laser engraved in the card.
- Security features aimed at preventing duplication and tampering include ultra-violet
images, tactile lettering and micro-text printing.
Canadian Permanent Residents who do not have a PR Card, are outside of Canada and
wish to return via commercial carrier must contact there nearest Canadian visa office
to apply for a limited use travel document.
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