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PR renewal supporting documents

katie3234

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Mar 8, 2010
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Hello,

We're currently working on renewing my husband PR card which expires in March. I've read through all the instructions, and also have done some googling. I'm a little confused about what "supporting documents" I need.
This is what I have:
Photocopy of current PR card - notarized
Photocopy of Canadian drivers licence - notarized
Photocopy of passport biometrics page - notarized
Photocopy of "confirmation of permanent residence" - notarized
2 PR card photos
Didn't have enough room for address and travel history so made a word document, which I added this information to along with his name etc.

I've noticed many people seem to have included all the pages of their passport, to show travel and also have included "option C" printout from Canada revenue agency to establish that they met the residency requirement. However, I haven't read anything in the PR renewal instructions that says you have to submit those. I'm just wondering if we should get his "option C" printout for the time he's been in Canada, and photocopy all the pages of his passport. On the application we've checked the section that authorizes CIC to view his "history of entries into Canada" and "income tax information and filling"

My question is, besides the "supporting documents" I already have, should I add other things? I would like his application to be as perfect/complete as possible, so it doesn't require them stopping the process to request additional things, especially since it expires in March.

Thank you to anyone who can help!
 

t-chan

Full Member
Jul 4, 2010
21
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Hi,
I have actually no idea why many people are talking about these "supporting documents."
I'm also trying to renew it and in the document check list(IMM5644) it only says to include an application, a photocopy of 1 identity document(passport copy), 2 photos, fees and the document checklist(IMM5644).

Also in the instruction(IMM5445), they don't require to certify/notarize your copy/copies unless translation is required and then the original needs to be certified...

Also you're supposed to keep your current PR card and no photocopy is required...(?)
I didn't see anything about including all the pages in the passport or "options C" either in the CIC instructions.

It may not be the answer you wanted but I'm writing this because I want to be clear about this too...

Unless the requirements changed drastically since 5 years ago I only included what the current checklist requires and I got it renewed...

Am I missing something? Or is your occasion special?

Thanks...
 

dlre

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Aug 30, 2014
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Was he outside of Canada a lot? If yes, you might want to include additional supporting documents to be on the safe side.

If he has more than the minimum days required, then I see no points in sending additional documents.
 

dlre

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Aug 30, 2014
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t-chan said:
Hi,
I have actually no idea why many people are talking about these "supporting documents."
I'm also trying to renew it and in the document check list(IMM5644) it only says to include an application, a photocopy of 1 identity document(passport copy), 2 photos, fees and the document checklist(IMM5644).

Also in the instruction(IMM5445), they don't require to certify/notarize your copy/copies unless translation is required and then the original needs to be certified...

Also you're supposed to keep your current PR card and no photocopy is required...(?)
I didn't see anything about including all the pages in the passport or "options C" either in the CIC instructions.

It may not be the answer you wanted but I'm writing this because I want to be clear about this too...

Unless the requirements changed drastically since 5 years ago I only included what the current checklist requires and I got it renewed...

Am I missing something? Or is your occasion special?

Thanks...
You do need to send a copy of your current PR card. It is not necessary to notarize it.

The purpose of the supporting documents is to prove to the officer that the applicant has met the requirements for a renewal. It's generally people who travel a lot wanting to be on the safe side. If you don't travel a lot, then it is not necessary
 

t-chan

Full Member
Jul 4, 2010
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dlre said:
You do need to send a copy of your current PR card. It is not necessary to notarize it.

The purpose of the supporting documents is to prove to the officer that the applicant has met the requirements for a renewal. It's generally people who travel a lot wanting to be on the safe side. If you don't travel a lot, then it is not necessary
Thank you for clearing up about the supporting documents.

About including the copy of current PR card...
Where in any of the CIC documents does it say so?
I didn't include it in my first extension and I got it though...
And neither in IMM5644(document check list) or IMM5445 (the instruction) do they say we need PR card (original or copy), unless it is a broken card replacement, then you'd need the original.

Below is the instruction part.
Yes it says under the section of "what documents do I need?" however from what I understand it just instructs you to keep it, and doesn't say to send a copy.


1:Your PR Card


If you are applying to renew your present card, you should keep it until you get your new card.

If you are applying to replace a damaged card, send the damaged card with your application.

If we ask you to come to a local IRCC office, you must bring your old card and the original documents of the copies you had included with your application. We will ask you to destroy your old card after you get the new one.

Format: Original
 

katie3234

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Mar 8, 2010
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Thank you for the replies. Sorry, I thought I'd read somewhere that it was necessary to include a notarized photocopy of the PR card, I must be mistaken.

He's been out of Canada about 4 separate times, to 7 different countries. Not sure if that's considered lots of travel or not. I could probably find receipts for flights and include those, although a few of the countries we travelled to by train in Europe so I don't have proof of that.

Do I have to include his previous tax records by getting an option C printout? To show that he was in fact present in Canada.

I don't want to miss anything and make the process longer than it needs to be. I happened to be reading through a few threads on here and realized many people had sent lots of "supporting documents" and panicked that I maybe forgetting vital things in his application

Thank you!
 

dlre

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Aug 30, 2014
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katie3234 said:
Thank you for the replies. Sorry, I thought I'd read somewhere that it was necessary to include a notarized photocopy of the PR card, I must be mistaken.

He's been out of Canada about 4 separate times, to 7 different countries. Not sure if that's considered lots of travel or not. I could probably find receipts for flights and include those, although a few of the countries we travelled to by train in Europe so I don't have proof of that.

Do I have to include his previous tax records by getting an option C printout? To show that he was in fact present in Canada.

I don't want to miss anything and make the process longer than it needs to be. I happened to be reading through a few threads on here and realized many people had sent lots of "supporting documents" and panicked that I maybe forgetting vital things in his application

Thank you!
Doesn't look to me like he traveled a lot. If his absences are way less than 1095 days, then no need to send in extra documents. If it's getting there, then it is better to send more documents.
 

Roni07

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Jul 22, 2014
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I'm a CDN citizen and my wife got her PR card (5years) but instead of living in CDN we both moved to the US and have been living here for a while. I notified RCA and local government that I'm a non resident for taxation purposes and have permanently moved to the US to live together with my wife. So now the question is after 3 years, Can my wife apply for CDN citizenship from the US ? How would she do that, through the CDN consulate ?
Thanks
 

dpenabill

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2010
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katie3234 said:
Hello,

We're currently working on renewing my husband PR card which expires in March. I've read through all the instructions, and also have done some googling. I'm a little confused about what "supporting documents" I need.
Follow the checklist, instructions, and application form itself.

If you believe you have a routine application for a new PR card, there is no reason to include anything other than that specified in the checklist and instructions. A little extra may be OK but any significant quantity of additional documents may naturally involve some additional review, that is, non-routine consideration. There is generally no reason for someone expecting routine processing to do something, like submitting a lot of unnecessary documentation, which could trigger non-routine processing (and the delays accompany non-routine processing, and perhaps the inconvenience if additional documents are required).

PRs who are relying on credit for time outside Canada, such as those who were abroad extensively accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse, or those who may be entitled to and need credit for time employed abroad by a Canadian business, need to follow the more extensive supporting documents instructions to show they qualify for the credit those exceptions allow.

Current checklist, for example, calls for "Proof of residency requirement: if you were outside Canada for 1095 days or more in the past five (5) years." For PRs who spent more than 1095 days outside Canada, there are specific instructions in Appendix A: Residency obligation regarding additional supporting documents to be submitted, depending on the PR's situation and the credit or exception which applies to the PR.






Roni07 said:
I'm a CDN citizen and my wife got her PR card (5years) but instead of living in CDN we both moved to the US and have been living here for a while. I notified RCA and local government that I'm a non resident for taxation purposes and have permanently moved to the US to live together with my wife. So now the question is after 3 years, Can my wife apply for CDN citizenship from the US ? How would she do that, through the CDN consulate ?
Thanks
Eligibility for Canadian citizenship currently requires spending at least four years out of the preceding six actually physically present in Canada. There is proposed legislation which will probably be adopted, which will change this to three out of five years, but still depending on that time spent actually physically present in Canada. (There are exceptions, but they are narrow and not likely relevant to your wife's situation.)

In other words, she will need to be actually living in Canada for years before she would be eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship.

In contrast, as long as she is living with a Canadian citizen spouse, that time counts toward compliance with the PR Residency Obligation, so there should be no problem keeping PR status as long as the two of you live together.
 

Roni07

Star Member
Jul 22, 2014
53
2
Vancouver
Category........
Visa Office......
Mississauga, ON
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02/01/2015
AOR Received.
12/03/2015
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
N/A
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
30-09-2015
So, my wife living together with her Canadian Citizen spouse counts towards PR Residency obligation but not Canadian Citizenship ? That's odd. in order to be eligible for Canadain Citizenship she has to Physically live in Canada for 3 years before becoming Canadian Citizen ? I thought that living with your Canadian spouse in like living on Canadian soil ? Can someone confirm that ? anyone in that situation ? what about our child ? i'm planning on applying for CDN citizenship. thanks

dpenabill said:
Eligibility for Canadian citizenship currently requires spending at least four years out of the preceding six actually physically present in Canada. There is proposed legislation which will probably be adopted, which will change this to three out of five years, but still depending on that time spent actually physically present in Canada. (There are exceptions, but they are narrow and not likely relevant to your wife's situation.)

In other words, she will need to be actually living in Canada for years before she would be eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship.

In contrast, as long as she is living with a Canadian citizen spouse, that time counts toward compliance with the PR Residency Obligation, so there should be no problem keeping PR status as long as the two of you live together.
 

dlre

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Aug 30, 2014
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Roni07 said:
So, my wife living together with her Canadian Citizen spouse counts towards PR Residency obligation but not Canadian Citizenship ? That's odd. in order to be eligible for Canadain Citizenship she has to Physically live in Canada for 3 years before becoming Canadian Citizen ? I thought that living with your Canadian spouse in like living on Canadian soil ? Can someone confirm that ? anyone in that situation ? what about our child ? i'm planning on applying for CDN citizenship. thanks
dpenabill is correct. A PR staying with a Canadian spouse can use those days towards residency obligations but not towards Canadian Citizenship. For Canadian citizenship you have to be physically present in Canada.

As for your child, it depends:
On April 17, 2009, the rules changed for persons born outside Canada to a Canadian parent. Pick the situation that applies to you.

My children were born before April 17, 2009
There are a number of laws and rules that affect if your children are Canadian. They probably are because most children born to Canadian parents before April 17, 2009, were citizens at birth.

Use the scenarios in the instruction guide for Proof of Citizenship to see if they are Canadian.

My children were born on or after April 17, 2009
Your children will only be Canadian at birth if you:

were born in Canada, or
became a naturalized Canadian citizen before they were born. (If you were adopted, see the exception below.)
There are exceptions to these rules.

Best apply for Proof of citizenship for your child :http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof.asp
 

oaw

Star Member
Jul 9, 2014
155
33
katie3234 said:
I don't want to miss anything and make the process longer than it needs to be. I happened to be reading through a few threads on here and realized many people had sent lots of "supporting documents" and panicked that I maybe forgetting vital things in his application

Thank you!
I also had similar questions as yours, and I don't wanted to send any unnecessary documents.
Thanks for your post, Mine is also expiring in May and hence I am submitting the renewal application this week.

I want to know,

Q1)
Does it helps to minimize the chances of having secondary review by adding lots of supporting documents ? (Just a question, I wish no one goes for the long delay of secondary review).

Q2)
If you are also submitting the Passport photocopy, are you copying all your passport pages or only first 2 bio pages ?


Thanks
 

katie3234

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Mar 8, 2010
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Oaw I'm kind of confused by the whole thing. I'm submitting just the first page of his passport, since it has his birthdate, place he was born etc - although I'm sure they already have access to all that info through his first application for permanent residency. I'm not going to submit all the pages of his passport since he was only absent from Canada for 146 days.

From what I've read most people seem to think that sending more documents makes the processing take longer, while some people seem to think it's best. So I'll just send the application, checklist, receipt of payment, passport photocopy and drivers licence photocopy. Not sure if that's correct though.
 

oaw

Star Member
Jul 9, 2014
155
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katie3234 said:
Oaw I'm kind of confused by the whole thing. I'm submitting just the first page of his passport, since it has his birthdate, place he was born etc - although I'm sure they already have access to all that info through his first application for permanent residency. I'm not going to submit all the pages of his passport since he was only absent from Canada for 146 days.

From what I've read most people seem to think that sending more documents makes the processing take longer, while some people seem to think it's best. So I'll just send the application, checklist, receipt of payment, passport photocopy and drivers licence photocopy. Not sure if that's correct though.
Thanks Katie, I also have the same feeling, why should we send huge number of docs, if they had not even asked for it.
Wish you good luck with the renewal process.