While it is best to renew your PR card before you leave Canada (and to ensure there’s enough time before it expires for the expected duration of your stay) this is not always possible.

If your PR Card expires while outside of Canada, you will need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to come back via commercial transportation. 

You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada and processing times can be lengthy, but don’t try to return by commercial transportation without one, or you might not be allowed on your flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada.

There is one caveat, however. If you’re returning by a private vehicle and you can convince a visa officer that you’re coming back to stay, then you can enter Canada. It’s a bit risky, but arriving by private vehicle at an entry port can be a good option. Remember that you need to apply for a new PR Card and meet the requirements before you can travel again.

Typically, if you apply online, it takes around 104 days to process your application, while if you apply by mail, it takes around 156 days. So it’s best to plan ahead.

However, these processing times are approximate and subject to change depending on several factors, such as the volume of applications received by the government and the complexity of your individual case.

You can check your application status online through your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account. Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive your new PR Card by mail at the address listed on your application.

To avoid any delays, make sure you submit a complete application. If your application lacks information, the processing time may increase significantly, and it could even result in a rejection of your application. Be sure to read the instructions carefully!

If you have a compelling reason to travel and you have proof of travel you may qualify for urgent processing for renewal of your PR Card. 

However there is no guarantee that you will receive expedited processing and the Canadian Government is strict on the criteria of what qualifies for urgent processing. 

Circumstances where we have seen expedited processing granted are;

Travel for the purpose of work, where evidence is provided;

Hospitalization or death of an overseas family member, where evidence is provided.

It is better to apply for a new PR Card ahead of time. IRCC allows you to apply for a new PR Card 9 months before the expiration date.

Form IMM 5444 is the Application for a Permanent Resident Card. It is a form that must be completed by permanent residents of Canada who need a new or replacement card. 

The completed form, along with supporting documents and fees, must be submitted to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for processing.

It is important to ensure that the form is filled out completely and accurately to avoid delays or rejection of the application.

Not meeting the residency requirement can be a serious issue when it comes to renewing your Permanent Resident (PR) Card. 

To maintain your status as a permanent resident, you must meet the residency requirement, which means you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days out of every five-year period. However, if you do not meet this requirement, it does not necessarily mean that you will lose your permanent resident status.

If you do not meet the residency requirement, you can still apply for a PR Card renewal from inside or outside of Canada. 

However, your application will be subject to review by an immigration officer. The officer will consider several factors, including the length of time you have lived in Canada, your reasons for leaving the country, and any ties you have to Canada, such as family or business connections.

A Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) application can be made to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to allow someone to stay in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds when residency requirements have not been met. 

To apply for an H&C application to overcome a failure to meet residency requirements, you would need to demonstrate  the reasons you could not meet the residency requirement were beyond your  control, and that there are compelling humanitarian and compassionate considerations that should allow you to remain in Canada.

This could include factors such as family ties in Canada or medical conditions that require treatment that is not available in their home country.

It is essential to keep in mind that applying for an H&C application can be a lengthy and complex process, and there is no guarantee of approval. The immigration officer reviewing the application has broad discretion in determining whether the circumstances presented meet the requirements for an H&C application.

Applying for an H&C application requires expert legal advice from an immigration lawyer or consultant to assess the situation and provide guidance on the application process, required documentation, and the chances of success.

An urgent PR Card renewal is a process to expedite the renewal of a permanent resident (PR) Card when it is needed before a proposed travel date. If you have an urgent need to travel and your PR Card has either expired or will be expiring within the next six (6) months, you can apply for an urgent PR Card renewal. However, not all requests for urgent processing will be approved. Urgent PR Card renewals are granted only in exceptional circumstances or emergency situations, so it is essential to provide supporting documents that demonstrate your urgent reasons for renewal, such as a medical emergency, family emergency, or a time-sensitive job opportunity.

To apply for an urgent PR Card renewal, you should first apply for a regular renewal of your PR Card either online or through a paper application. You will be asked if you need an urgent processing of the application while you are doing this. The urgent processing service costs CAD 110 in addition to the regular PR Card renewal fee of CAD 50, and it is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Once you have submitted your application you will need to provide additional documents to support your request for an urgent PR Card renewal, such as a plane ticket or a letter explaining the emergency situation. It is essential to ensure that your application is complete and contains all the necessary documents to avoid delays in processing.

Yes, you are still a permanent resident even if you don’t have a valid Permanent Resident (PR) Card. A PR Card is a document that serves as evidence of your permanent resident status in Canada. However, it is not proof of your permanent resident status itself. Permanent resident status is granted to individuals who have been permitted to enter and remain in Canada as permanent residents under the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

As a permanent resident, you retain your status even if your PR Card has expired or if you do not have it in your possession. You are still entitled to the same rights and benefits as any other permanent resident, which include the right to work, study, and travel across Canada. 

However, it is important to note that you may encounter difficulties while traveling outside of Canada or accessing government services if you do not have a valid PR Card, as it is a required document for certain activities.

If your PR Card has expired or if you do not have it, you can apply for a new one using the application process specified by the Canadian government. The government may require additional documentation or information to reissue the PR Card, and failing to renew it in time can cause delays and other issues.

Yes, you can lose your permanent residence status in Canada. Permanent residence status is granted to those who have been granted permission to enter and remain in Canada and thus must meet certain requirements.

If a permanent resident does not comply with the residency obligation, which requires that they be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days out of every five-year period, then they may lose their status as a permanent resident. Additionally, failing to comply with other conditions of residency (such as paying taxes, or not having a valid PR Card when traveling) can also result in loss of permanent residence status. Other actions that can cause one to lose their permanent residence status include: being found criminally inadmissible to Canada; obtaining citizenship or another form of legal immigration statuses from countries other than Canada; and not disclosing significant information during the immigration process.

Therefore, it is important for individuals who hold Canadian permanent residency to be aware of the conditions attached to their visa and take steps to ensure that they remain compliant with them in order to keep their status. It is also recommended that applicants seek legal advice before embarking on any course of action that may affect their residency status in Canada.