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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.
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.
There are specific eligibility requirements that must be met in order to obtain a permanent resident card in Canada. It is essential that permanent residents abide by these requirements in order to successfully obtain their permanent resident card. Therefore, in order to be eligible for a permanent resident card, you must:
In most circumstances, PR cards are issued for 5 years but some are issued for 1 year instead. In order to check when the PR card will expire, it is best to review the PR card as the expiry date is listed on the card itself. Thus, PR cards are valid until the expiry date listed and you must ensure to apply to renew the card up to 9 months before the expiry date. Much like when you first obtain your PR card, you must also make sure your permanent residency status in Canada is valid.
There are some circumstances that entail urgent processing of a permanent resident card. Of course, in order for the permanent resident card to be processed urgently, the permanent resident must demonstrate their urgency. They must indicate that they need their permanent residency card within the next three months for any of the following reasons:
For these specific reasons, the permanent resident must also submit supporting documentation to prove that these scenarios are real and they need their permanent resident card to be urgently processed. For instance, they should submit a copy of their travel itinerary or travel tickets; receipts of payment of travel; an explanation letter revealing the reasons for urgency; and, proof of urgency, which could include a doctor’s note, a death certificate or an employment letter stating the travel requirement.
In order to specifically request the urgent processing of a permanent resident card, the permanent resident can indicate the urgency when they apply for the permanent resident card or, alternatively, they can inform Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Web form to indicate their urgency. It is important to note that if the Immigration officer is not satisfied that the reasons are legitimate for urgent processing, they will process the application through the regular processing stream.
If you are a permanent resident that is currently outside of Canada without a permanent resident card, this can cause complications and restrictions from you returning back to Canada. As a permanent resident, you must have a valid permanent resident card to enter Canada. If you don’t have a permanent resident card, then depending on how you will enter Canada, specifically via commercial vehicle, such as an airplane, train, boat or bus, you will have to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document in order to enter Canada from the nearest Canadian Immigration Visa Office abroad.
Once the permanent resident is back in Canada, they can then apply for their permanent resident card. They must abide by the eligibility requirements and ensure that they are all met in order to successfully apply and receive their permanent resident card. Additionally, the permanent resident must ensure that all required documentation and information is provided to Immigration because, if not, Immigration can return the application to the permanent resident and may include a list of documents that are missing. Alternatively, they can simply refuse the application based on these reasons as well.
It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned information into consideration before you attempt to apply for your permanent resident card. If you abide by all of the eligibility requirements for your permanent resident card, then you should proceed to apply as soon as possible especially if you have an urgent travel date. Additionally, it is extremely important to note that immigration applications are difficult applications to pursue on your own; therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients apply for their permanent resident cards. If you believe that you may be eligible for a permanent resident card, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!
