Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

Is your PR card about to expire or has it already? Are you travelling outside of Canada soon and it will expire during that time?  Continue reading for your options to renew your PR card

What is Permanent Residency in Canada?

Permanent residency refers to the status given to individuals who have immigrated to Canada and are here to stay permanently.  They are not Canadian Citizens (yet) but are citizens of another country. Permanent residents are afforded most of the same benefits and privileges that Canadian citizens have. Some of these include:

• Social benefits ( health care coverage)
• Ability to apply for Citizenship once eligible
• Protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• The ability to study, work and live anywhere in Canada

There are some privileges not afforded to Permanent Residents that are to Canadian citizens such as being able to run for political positions, allowed to vote or hold some jobs that require high security clearance.

How do you maintain permanent resident status?

There are certain requirements a person  must meet to retain their permanent resident status in Canada. These are:

• Residency obligations: 730 days inside of Canada in the last 5 years.
• Must not receive a removal order
• Must not renounce permanent resident status
• Not receive a judicial sentence that states you are no longer a permanent resident.

You lose permanent resident status in Canada once you become a Canadian Citizen, but it is no longer needed than.

My card has expired. Am I still a permanent resident?

Even if your permanent resident card has expired, you are still a Canadian permanent resident. This just means that you need to renew your card as soon as possible.

Steps to renewing your permanent resident card

In order to renew your permanent resident card, there are several steps you must take. You must:

• Have valid permanent resident status
• Meet residency obligations( have been in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the last 5 years
• Be physically in Canada during the process
• Provide a copy of your old permanent resident card
• Fill out all required forms completely and truthfully
• Include a copy of a valid travel document ( such as a passport)
• Pay the application fee and include a copy of the receipt
• Provide 2 photos that follow the dimension specifications
• Provide all other documents that are asked for

Once you have everything together, the application needs to mailed to the processing office in Sydney Nova Scotia

What is the processing time for renewing my PR card?

The processing time is typically 2-4 months but delays can arise.

Why do I need a permanent resident card?

A permanent residency card confirms your status as a permanent resident of Canada. When traveling outside of Canada, upon your return your PR card is what grants you entrance back into the country.

What happens if my card expires while I’m outside of Canada?

If you are outside of Canada and your PR card expires, you need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document. This is the only document that will guarantee you access back into the country.

Akrami and Associates

Obtaining permanent resident status is not an easy process, Don’t waste all your hard earned money and effort by allowing your status to expire. The process to renew your permanent resident status can be complicated and confusing. Let the assistance of the professional and educated associates at Akrami and Associates help. Contact us today with any questions or to book a consultation. 416-477-2545 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With Akrami and Associates, there's always a way!

Is your PR card about to expire or has it already? Are you travelling outside of Canada soon and it will expire during that time?  Continue reading for your options to renew your PR card

What is Permanent Residency in Canada?

Permanent residency refers to the status given to individuals who have immigrated to Canada and are here to stay permanently.  They are not Canadian Citizens (yet) but are citizens of another country. Permanent residents are afforded most of the same benefits and privileges that Canadian citizens have. Some of these include:

Do You Want to Immigrate to Canada in 2019

As you may know, Canada’s education and living conditions attract many foreign nationals to visit, study, and work. Furthermore, the multiculturalism in Canada is one of the essential reasons that drives one's longing to move. After they have experienced the beauty of Canada, they may consider settling down permanently in Canada. While numerous individuals are contemplating moving to Canada, they may be thinking about looking for assistance from an immigration representative to make the immigration process more smoothly. Indeed, here comes the most significant inquiry: is hiring a representative necessary? In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of hiring an immigration representative and how to avoid immigration fraud.

Who are Immigration Representatives

Immigration may be difficult and complicated, especially if you are not family with Canadian immigration law. If you are struggling with your application, you may be able to seek guidance from a representative. An Immigration and citizenship representative’s job duties include but are not limited to:

Getting Canadian Permanent Residence

For most Canada is the land of opportunity! People on the outside cannot wait to enter the beautiful northern country, and the people in it don’t want to leave! Having the freedom to come and go from and to a country is liberating, but there are certain legal requirements that individuals need to meet in order to do so. Life can be quite unexpected and many times people are faced with the dilemma of leaving the country because of personal problems. Individuals with a Permanent Resident status in Canada are required to spend a specific amount of time inside the Canadian borders so they can be eligible for a PR card renewal. Failure to do remain in the country for 2 years can lead to extermination of PR status. You can contact Akrami&Associates to discuss the best options for you!

When you become a PR resident you get a card that is valid for 5 years. To renew PR card you need to be inside of Canada for 2 out of the 5 years to be applicable to a PR renewal. A permanent resident card is needed in Canada to prove that you are a resident of the country. PR cards can expire for a number of reasons. You may be eligible to renew your PR card with Humanitarian and Compassionate Arguments if you have left the country for Employment reasons or Family Emergencies. Of course there are other reasons which can be considered as well. The reasons mentioned above are the two main reasons why individuals do not meet residency requirements. What we focus on at Akrami&Associates are applying for PR and H&R applications are explaining to the officer assigned to your case, is explaining the reasons why you have not been able to fulfill your residency requirements.

What Are the Requirements for Renewing PR Card

Has your permanent resident card expired? Are you traveling outside of Canada and don’t have enough time to renew your expired permanent residence card? Are you confused about what is required to renew a permanent residence card? If so, this blog may help answer some of the questions you may have about the permanent residence card renewal process.

About the Permanent Residence Card Renewal Process

Having a valid permanent residence card is important if you plan to travel outside Canada and will need to re-enter Canada by plane, train or boat. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to board and re-enter Canada. It is important to note that you still have status as a permanent resident even if your card has expired. The card is however important for establishing your permanent residence status while traveling outside Canada and when you need to return. For this reason, it is always advisable to apply for a renewal.

How do you Cross the Border

Any foreign national will experience some anxiety or fear when crossing the Canadian border, especially when the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer asks questions. Foreign nationals who have criminal inadmissibility or, in other words, a criminal record will have more questions and more examination from the Immigration officer when attempting to cross the border. Therefore, as a foreign national, you should be well-prepared and anticipate all questions that the Immigration officer may have for you. In this blog, you will learn about relevant information with regards to crossing the border as a foreign national.

Interview Process

As a foreign national, it is very likely that you will undergo two interview processes when you are crossing the border. The interview process shall be finished quickly, if you can address all questions asked by the officer properly, and you have sufficient documentation.

Questions and Answers for Permanent Resident Cards

In this article, I will address popular questions and answers that many individuals have for permanent resident cards. There are several different circumstances that can arise for permanent resident card holders and, thus, there are many questions that they have. Additionally, this article will also assist you in understanding what a permanent resident card entails. A permanent resident card is a wallet-sized official document that all permanent residents must have to confirm their status in Canada. It was created to include identifying details about the permanent resident and to confirm their permanent residency status. This article is intended to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to permanent resident cards.

Q: How can I obtain a permanent resident card in Canada?

A: In order to obtain a permanent resident card in Canada, you must first apply for the permanent resident (PR) card and meet the eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements for a permanent resident (PR) card is, first and foremost, that you must be a permanent resident of Canada and have authorized status in Canada. Additionally, you must also submit your permanent resident card application within Canada. Keep in mind, if you are a permanent resident that currently resides outside of Canada, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada and then you can apply for the permanent resident card.

Steps in Obtaining a Permanent Resident Card

Once a foreign national receives permanent residency in Canada, they should obtain their permanent resident card as well. This card is essentially a wallet-sized plastic card that includes pertinent information about the permanent resident, such as their height, eye colour, gender, etc. The card also includes the permanent resident’s photograph, signature as well as the date that they obtained their permanent residency in Canada. Obtaining a permanent resident card as a permanent resident of Canada is necessary to identify your status. Therefore, in this article, I will address the steps in obtaining a permanent resident card in Canada and other important information for permanent residents.

The Purpose of a Permanent Resident Card

It is very imperative that permanent residents of Canada obtain a permanent resident card to properly identify their status within Canada. As previously mentioned, a permanent resident card also includes specific personal information about the permanent resident. This information is extremely important especially when entering and exiting the country. If a permanent resident decides to exit the country and re-enter via a commercial vehicle, such as an airplane, train, boat or bus, they must show their permanent resident card to confirm their status in Canada before boarding. If the permanent resident does not have the permanent resident card while travelling, they will face complications trying to re-enter the country.

FAQ – Permanent Resident Cards

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for Permanent Resident Cards in Canada and some important information to consider when applying. The Permanent Resident Card was created to identify the permanent resident of Canada and is used as a form of travel document. If you are a permanent resident of Canada and would like to apply for a Permanent Resident card, I suggest you read our article on “The Basics of Permanent Residency in Canada” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to Permanent Resident Cards in Canada.

Q: How long does it usually take to process a PR card?

A: The processing times for PR cards fluctuate often. The best way to determine how long your PR card will take to process is by visiting the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website which has a specific webpage for processing times of all immigration applications. For instance, during this time, specifically September of 2017, the processing times for permanent resident cards is approximately 61 days, which is about 2 months. The processing time is around the same for renewals or replacements of permanent resident cards.

Steps on How to Renew Your PR Card While Outside of Canada

Once foreign nationals receive permanent residency in Canada, they become ecstatic at the thought of making Canada their permanent home. However, there are certain circumstances that can prevent these individuals from maintaining their permanent residency in Canada, such as obligations in their home country or family emergencies. Essentially, if an individual has not completed their residency requirements then they may lose their permanent residency in Canada. Therefore, in this article, I will explain how to renew your PR card while outside of Canada and important information you must consider prior to renewing your PR card.

Eligibility to Renew your PR Card

When renewing your PR card, it is important to remember that the process is almost the same as applying for a PR card. There are specific eligibility requirements that must be met prior to receiving your PR card and, in this circumstance, renewing your PR card.

Travelling with Permanent Resident Card (PR card)

Are you a Permanent Resident (PR) and unsure of your travel rights? You will be surprised at the number of permanent residents whom are confused about their travel rights and what could potentially happen to their status in Canada if they do not meet the residency requirements.

What is a Permanent Resident and am I eligible to become one?

A Permanent Resident is a person who has been given permanent status in Canada but has not obtained Canadian citizenship yet. If you came as a visitor, student or as foreign worker than you are not consider a permanent resident but rather a temporary resident. Also, if you are person that has put a refugee claim in Canada you are not considered a permanent resident until Immigration and Refugee Board approves your claim. Once your claim is approved you can apply for permanent residency. As a permanent resident you can travel in and out of Canada as long you meet and comply to the conditions that are set and you have more rights than someone that comes for temporary basis to Canada.

What is a Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR)

The Canadian Permanent Resident Card is wallet sized card that can be shown as official proof that you are Permanent Resident of Canada. The card contains information such as eye colour, height, gender, date of birth etc. The card also contains your picture that is engraved with your signature. If you travelled outside of Canada and like to re-enter Canada through plane, bus, train or boat you are required to show your PR card before boarding. If you don’t have a PR card or have lost your PR card and are outside of Canada you need to apply for a Temporary Travel Document from the nearest Canadian immigration visa office to be able to travel or re-enter into Canada.

I applied for PR card how will I receive my permanent resident card?

If you applied for permanent resident card you will receive your card through mail within 64 days. If you renewed your card or reapplied for one the processing time is approximately 81 days.

What Documents Do I Need to Renew my PR Card?

• Your current Permanent resident card and a photocopy of it

• Your application for card renewal