Obtaining a Permanent Resident Card

[51747]

I just submitted my documents for Canadian Federal Skilled Migration and I was just thinking ahead.
I'm planning that once I have my approval, I will take an extended leave from my work and visit Canada in order to get my Permanent Resident Card. After obtaining it or while my application is being processed, I was hoping to visit the US for a short vacation and visit some family and friends there. After obtaining my Permanent Resident Card, I'd come back to my home country and return to settle permanently in Canada once I found a job. I had a few concerns regarding my plan:

1. How long does it take to obtain a Permanent Resident Card? I read somewhere that it can take as long as 3 months to obtain it. Is that true?
2. Can I leave Canada and go to the US while my Permanent Resident Card application is being processed?
3. Can I leave Canada and return to my home country while my application is being processed and my relatives in Canada can mail me the card once they receive it at their address?
4. Given my above plan, how long can I stay in my home country after obtaining my Permanent Resident Card? To the best of my knowledge, I have to be in Canada for 2 years out of a 5-year period. So basically I have 3 years to be able to find a job and return to Canada?

I'd really appreciate input from anyone who can help me on this. Thanks!

[Paco]

I just submitted my documents for Canadian Federal Skilled Migration and I was just thinking ahead.
I'm planning that once I have my approval, I will take an extended leave from my work and visit Canada in order to get my Permanent Resident Card. After obtaining it or while my application is being processed, I was hoping to visit the US for a short vacation and visit some family and friends there. After obtaining my Permanent Resident Card, I'd come back to my home country and return to settle permanently in Canada once I found a job. I had a few concerns regarding my plan:

1. How long does it take to obtain a Permanent Resident Card? I read somewhere that it can take as long as 3 months to obtain it. Is that true?
at about 1 month

2. Can I leave Canada and go to the US while my Permanent Resident Card application is being processed?
you will need an US visa

3. Can I leave Canada and return to my home country while my application is being processed and my relatives in Canada can mail me the card once they receive it at their address?
Yes

4. Given my above plan, how long can I stay in my home country after obtaining my Permanent Resident Card? To the best of my knowledge, I have to be in Canada for 2 years out of a 5-year period. So basically I have 3 years to be able to find a job and return to Canada?
Yes you're right it's 2 years.
Just a detail, it doesn't have to be continous, so you could stay 1 year in canada, go back 3 years in your country, and enter again canada for 1 year & be able to renew your PR card.

I'd really appreciate input from anyone who can help me on this. Thanks!

[51747]

Thanks for the response, Paco. With regards to my question on visiting the US, I was wondering whether I could visit the US and come back to Canada without having the Permanent Residency Card.

[Leon]

Thanks for the response, Paco. With regards to my question on visiting the US, I was wondering whether I could visit the US and come back to Canada without having the Permanent Residency Card.

If you are returning from the US by car, you can get in on your landing documents but if you are flying you would need a PR travel document if you don't have your PR card yet.  You can apply for one through a Canadian embassy in the US.