Some foreigners want to apply for Canadian permanent residence in order to enjoy social benefits in Canada. After you have been granted permanent residence status, you will be granted permission to live in Canada as a non-Canadian citizen. Some people may be confused about whether they can leave Canada after obtaining a permanent residence card. Of course, you are allowed to leave Canada and visit other countries. However, there is one thing you should know: you are not allowed to leave Canada for too long, as you may lose your permanent residence status. If you do not know the detailed requirements and restrictions for Canadian permanent residence, we will show you all the information in this blog.
What is a Canada PR Card?
Issued by the Canadian government, a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card is proof of a permanent resident’s right to live in Canada. If you become a permanent resident of Canada, you are entitled to certain rights, such as:
- You can live, study or work anywhere in Canada.
- You are allowed to apply for Canadian citizenship if you have met some requirements.
- You will be under the protection of the Canadian law.
- You can enjoy the social benefits, such as the health care coverage.
Of course, you can take the permanent resident card as your identity card to prove yourself at any place or time. In addition, when you need to travel outside Canada commercially, you must show your PR card to border agents when entering Canada, so that you will be granted access without complications.
How to Apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident Card
When applying for a Canadian permanent resident card, you must first check whether you are a Canadian permanent resident. If you are eligible for the PR card, you can follow the steps below to get your PR card:
Prepare the required documents:
- Application Form-[IMM 5444]
- Clear copy of your valid passport or travel document
- Two permanent resident photos with 50 mm wide X 70 mm high
- A copy of the receipt for the processing fee.
- A solemn declaration if you did not receive the PR card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada.
- Other identification documents if you have changed your name or gender.
Send your application form and other documents to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
By mail:
Case Processing Center — PR Card
P.O. Box 10020
SYDNEY, NS | B1P 7C1
CANADA
Or by courier:
Case Processing Centre – PR Card
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 5Z2
Of course, you can submit your PR application online through the Permanent Resident Portal.
Can I leave Canada while PR is being processed?
Of course, you can leave Canada while your PR is being processed. However, when you return to Canada, you will need a document to prove your permanent resident status, such as a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). You should know that you are only allowed to apply for a PRTD from outside Canada. Even if your PR card is completed before you return to Canada, you still need to apply for a PRTD because they will not send your PR card to a non-Canadian address while you are outside Canada.
Can any days abroad count towards my permanent resident status?
According to the Canadian government, if you want to maintain your permanent resident status, you must be physically present in Canada for more than 730 days in the past five years. Of course, this 730-day period does not mean that you have to stay in Canada continuously. Fortunately, some of the days you spend abroad may be counted toward permanent resident status, if you can fulfill one of the following situations.
Work outside Canada
If you work outside Canada on a full-time basis, sometimes you may be allowed to devote time to your permanent resident status. However, you must work full-time for a Canadian business overseas or the territorial, provincial, or federal government of Canada. Only in these circumstances can the time you spend outside of Canada be counted.
Travel with a spouse or common-law partner
Another way you can do this is by traveling with a common-law partner or spouse. In addition, the spouse or common-law partner or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is working outside Canada full-time for Canadian business or the territorial, provincial or federal government of Canada.
A dependent child who has traveled with your parents
You are a child and have traveled with your parents. However, your parents also need to meet some unique requirements. Your parent must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is working outside Canada, full-time for a Canadian business or the territorial, provincial or federal government of Canada.
How long does it take to get Canada PR?
According to the Canadian government, the time it takes to process your permanent resident card will depend on your case, the volume of applications, and the number of error-free applications. In general, it will take you 6 to 8 months to get PR in Canada. If you need a permanent resident card quickly, you can use urgent processing methods. Besides, you can check the current application status through the Government’s website. To reduce application time, remember to prepare everything in advance.
Can I stay in Canada while waiting for my PR?
Of course, you are allowed to stay in Canada while you wait for your permanent residence card. However, you must make sure that you are eligible to stay in Canada. This means that you need to keep your temporary resident status valid for a specific period when your PR has not yet been completed. If your temporary visa expires soon, you need to extend it until you receive your permanent resident card.
Can I convert a work permit to PR in Canada?
It depends. If you want to convert a work permit to PR in Canada, you must meet certain requirements. For example, if you are an employee who works for a Canadian organization, you may obtain permanent residency under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, when the organization happens to provide you with a permanent role with their establishment in Canada, If you are lucky to have this offer, it is called the arranged employment.
FAQ:
Can I lose my permanent resident status?
Yes, you can choose to keep your permanent residence status or lose it. If you wish to withdraw your permanent resident status, you can do so through an official process. In addition, you may lose your permanent resident status, if you have any of the following situations:
- Under Canadian law during an inquiry or PRTD appeal, you are no longer a permanent resident as determined by an adjudicator.
- You automatically give up your PR status.
- You have a removal order from Canada.
- You are eligible for Canadian citizenship.
- Remember that you are still a PR until an official determination about your status comes out. There is one thing you need to know: You won’t lose your permanent residence status when your PR card expires.
How can I check my PR status in Canada?
After you have applied for your PR card, you can check the status of your application through the Client Application Status (CAS) tool, which will be updated daily, or the IRCC online account linking it to your existing application.
Client Application Status (CAS) tool
If this is your first time checking your application status with the CAS tool, you need to register by providing your unique client identifier (UCI), application number, name, date of birth, and place of birth.
Then you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email which will show your application status.
Online account and link it to your existing application
- Create a secure IRCC online account and go to “Link an existing application to this account.”
- Choose the PR Card > “Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and Family Name”
- Fill in some required details, such as the date you became a permanent resident
- Then you can search the application and get your updated messages about the application status online.
What happens if my PR card expires while I am outside Canada?
If you are outside Canada and your PR card has expired, you must apply for a PRTD (Permanent Resident Travel Document) to enter Canada. According to Canadian rules, if you hold the PRTD to enter Canada, you cannot take transportation services, such as planes, trains, buses, or boats. You will only be allowed to drive a private vehicle, such as car, truck or motorcycles when you return to Canada. In addition, you must provide other documents to prove your identity. If you don’t want to do this, make sure you keep a valid PR card when you’re outside of Canada.
What are the benefits a permanent resident can enjoy?
Of course, there are many benefits you can enjoy as a permanent resident. For example, once you get PR status, you will enjoy health coverage. And you can easily move to the place you want in Canada without any complications to study or seek job opportunities.
Conclusions
All in all, once you have obtained permanent residence in Canada, it is good for you to live and study in Canada as you wish. Keep in mind that you can’t stay outside of Canada too long, otherwise your PR status may be lost.
Erin Lo