A: If due to unavoidable circumstances (such as the Coronavirus pandemic) and your PR card expires while you are outside of Canada, worry not since according to the Government of Canada website, you will still have your permanent resident (PR) status.

If you plan to come back to Canada using a commercial vehicle or public transportation such as airplane, train, bus, or boat, you must first apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to the nearest Visa Application Centre (VACs) in the country you are currently in. Kindly take note that you can only apply for a PRTD when you are outside Canada. If you try to return without a valid PR card or PRTD, chances are you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada.

On the other hand, if you plan on using a private vehicle (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 transportation NOT available for public use), you may use other supporting documents (such as but not limited to: Provincial Driver’s License, Provincial Identity Card, Health Card, SIN (Social Insurance Number) Card, Student Card with photo & signature) to re-enter the country. Once back in Canada, apply for a PR Card immediately especially if you are planning on travelling again.

To keep your PR status, you need to stay in Canada for a certain amount of time (or at least 730 days during the last 5 years).

A: If your permanent resident (PR) card is expired or will expire in less than 9 months, you can apply for a new card. The new card will have a new expiration date. Most of the new PR cards being issued are valid for 5 years. Keep in mind that you need to submit your PR card application package in Canada. The application package includes a guide and all the forms you need to complete to apply for a PR card.

Make sure you include the following documents when you submit your application for your PR card renewal:

Keep your current PR card and include a photocopy of it along with your application.
A clear copy of your valid passport or travel document, or the passport or travel document you held at the time you became a permanent resident

2 photos that meet the photo specifications of Immigration Canada (with your name, date of birth, & date, name, and address of photo studio)

A copy of the receipt for the processing or fee of CAD$50 (it needs to be paid online)

Any other identity documents listed in the Document Checklist, including the checklist itself

**Please take note that if you are applying to replace your PR card because it is damaged or the personal information indicated in your card is wrong, send the card with your application**

A: Send all the documents to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

By mail:

Case Processing Centre — PR Card

P.O. Box 10020

SYDNEY, NS

B1P 7C1

Or via courier:

Case Processing Centre – PR Card

49 Dorchester Street

Sydney, NS

B1P 5Z2

A: You should only apply for a PR card if:

your card has expired or will expire in less than 9 months
your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed
you did not receive your card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada
you need to update your card to:
legally change your name
change your citizenship
change your gender designation
correct your date of birth
Otherwise, your application may NOT be processed if not for the reasons mentioned above.

A: The normal PR Card Processing time is as follows:

Renew or replace: 27 days

New PR card: 13 days

**But due to disruptions in our working hours caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, processing times are no longer accurate and administering of applications takes much longer than the normal time.**