Can I travel outside of Canada with an expired PR card---Need urgent Help!!

[r7huang]

Hello．

I have received my PR card in 2007 and have lived Canada for more than 730 days. The card will expire in Sept. 2012.

However, I haven't renewed my PR card yet and I really need to travel outside of Canada for 1 month from Aug. 2012 to Sept. 2012.

In this case, I have to come back Canada after the expiration date.

So my questions are:

1. Do I need to renew the PR card right now?
2. Can I come back with the expired PR card?
3. If I can't use the PR card anymore, can I definitely get a travel document from the country I am going to?

I really need urgent advises. Please help!

 

[Leon]

1. You can send a renewal application a copy of your plane tickets and ask for expedited processing but you must do it right now if you want to have a chance of getting your new card before September. Since your old card is still valid, you do not have to send it in.

2. Are you of a nationality that is visa exempt to Canada? If not, the airline will not let you board the plane without a valid PR card or a travel document.

3. If you meet the residency requirements, you should be able to get a travel document but note in some embassies it can take a few weeks.