Expired PR Card Disadvantages (Student and looking for jobs)

[miyesven]

Hi there!
It goes like this, I'm a university student now and my PR Card is going to expire next year June and I can't renew it till about 1 year after the expiry date. Also, including the proccessing time, I may need to wait about 1.5 years with an expired PR Card before I can get a new one.

Someone in this forum mentioned that for students, there are some disadvantages to having an expired PR Card. Would someone care to explain about that abit further? Also, I will also be trying to land internships and jobs within the country (probably Alberta, Edmonton, Ontario etc). How will an expired PR Card hinder me in this aspect?

Furthermore, if I want to leave the country after I apply for renewal, lets say on a student exchange, is it possible to come into Canada by land? I'm from a visa exempt country and I will have a new passport (without the COPR) by the time I travel (because current passport expires at the same time as my PR Card).

Any help would be very greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[keesio]

Not having a valid PR card can be a problem for people returning to Canada from a long absence since it is the preferred ID. But it is less an issue for people who are already established before it expires (like in your case). You are already a student so your university will likely not ask for it again. You likely already have a health card. You'll likely have issues when trying to get a job/internship as your prospective employer will want some kind of documentation that you can work in Canada. So this would be likely your main hindrance.

And yes, trying to return to Canada with an expired PR card AND in breach of RO can be a problem. There is some luck involved. Some people don't experience much hassle while others do. There was a thread about entering Canada via land border and two people had two vastly different experiences. One was absolutely grilled while the other was let through pretty easily. But they were both able to enter and the key thing was that both were not in breach of RO. Likely if the first person was in breach of RO, he may have had a problem. Basically you are taking a gamble if you leave and try to enter with an expired PR card and in breach of RO. You have to decide if you wish to take that gamble. Since your ties to Canada are strong now, you'll probably be fine... but you never know.

 

[miyesven]

Not having a valid PR card can be a problem for people returning to Canada from a long absence since it is the preferred ID. But it is less an issue for people who are already established before it expires (like in your case). You are already a student so your university will likely not ask for it again. You likely already have a health card. You'll likely have issues when trying to get a job/internship as your prospective employer will want some kind of documentation that you can work in Canada. So this would be likely your main hindrance.

And yes, trying to return to Canada with an expired PR card AND in breach of RO can be a problem. There is some luck involved. Some people don't experience much hassle while others do. There was a thread about entering Canada via land border and two people had two vastly different experiences. One was absolutely grilled while the other was let through pretty easily. But they were both able to enter and the key thing was that both were not in breach of RO. Likely if the first person was in breach of RO, he may have had a problem. Basically you are taking a gamble if you leave and try to enter with an expired PR card and in breach of RO. You have to decide if you wish to take that gamble. Since your ties to Canada are strong now, you'll probably be fine... but you never know.

Hi thank you so much for your reply! I already have a SIN Number so will that suffice for most employers throughout the country? Or must I have a valid PR Card? I'm not sure about the rules here in BC and other provinces.

Also, I actually meant that after I put in the renewal application for a new PR Card (without having any breach in RO), and if the renewal process is taking too long, can I possibly leave the country and come back without losing my PR Status?

 

[Leon]

From what I have heard, some universities ask you to show a valid PR card every term in order to prove that you are eligible to pay PR fees. If they really do or if you can get around it I suppose depends on the people you are dealing with.

Some employers may ask to see a PR card as well.

If you plan to hop provinces, you may have problems getting set up in a new province such as getting health care, drivers license etc. because you don't have a valid PR card.

After you have met the RO and applied to renew your PR card, you should be fine to leave. As for coming back, you should use your passport to board the plane but when you reach immigration, you should say you are a PR and show your expired card.

 

[keesio]

Also, I actually meant that after I put in the renewal application for a new PR Card (without having any breach in RO), and if the renewal process is taking too long, can I possibly leave the country and come back without losing my PR Status?

Oops, I misread your first post. Sorry. Leon is right.

 

[Msafiri]

......Furthermore, if I want to leave the country after I apply for renewal, lets say on a student exchange, is it possible to come into Canada by land? I'm from a visa exempt country and I will have a new passport (without the COPR) by the time I travel (because current passport expires at the same time as my PR Card).

Any help would be very greatly appreciated! Thank you!

As per response to your other thread your re-entry could involve a review of your RO. What will your RO situation be at your planned re-entry date since you seem pretty keen on going for this exchange program and potentially take a risk not to get reported? Your ID related queries are a minor issue and covered in detail. Your visitor visa exempt passport may no longer be the slam dunk it used to be for potentially breezing past CBSA while in RO breach. Effective March 2016 you need an electronic travel authorization if you hold a visit visa exempt passport unless you are a PR. But on the flip side CIC then make reference to the PR holding a valid PR Card for this scheme so its unclear what airlines will do when a PR shows up without a PR Card for their flight check in. So does this mean this will flag up PRs with RO issues. Apply for urgent processing of the PR Card when the time comes and try to wait for it - playing games with the RO is risky business. If you leave watch your RO count and be in compliance when you re-enter Canada.