PR expires. Advice on the Best course of Action to Take.

[Beauwest]

Greetings

I am Canadian Citizen and my wife and I are living in South Korea-My wife is Korean. Her PR Card expires in May 2013, but we plan to come back in November because we having a child here, and don't want to complicate the pregnency or add more stress in coming back to Canada before my work contract ends . The baby will born in late July. To my understanding my wife would have gone over the allowable days outside of the country but she was with me, as I am a Canadian.

Based on the information I have read-we have 3 options -we could apply for a travel document to go back or... apply for the PR renewal card and have it sent to our address in Canada and then my family would send it to us Korea-I understand there is a chance they will ask her to pick it up.... Or we let the card expire and come back to Canada with the expired card.

Here are my questions

1. What are the worst possible scenarios with regards to my wife trying to fly back with an expired PR card. Keep in mind-we will be coming back with a baby.

2. Her PR status. If her card expires does she have to reapply again for PR status, and go through all the ordeals like the medical, criminal check etc etc, Like the original PR application?

3. If her PR card expires will my wife be able to work or have medical coverage in Canada until she is accepted back?

4. When we move back to Vancouver BC, I know we have to wait 2 to 3 months before receiving provincial medical insurance. Will an expired PR card slow or complicate her chances of even getting private medical insurance for first 2 or 3 months, and afterwards?

Thank you in advance

 

[steaky]

1) If your wife is holding a Korean passport, let the PR card expired, she can just buy a return plane ticket and come to Canada without applying the travel document;
2) For the child, either get a Korean or Canadian passport;
3) Yes, you can apply the PR renewal card and have it send to your family address.

 

[Leon]

1. Worst case scenario, the airline may not want to let her board the plane unless she has a return ticket because as far as they know, although she is visa exempt, the immigration officers may want to see a return ticket. When she gets to the immigration desk, it should be simple to tell them that you were outside Canada and therefore she could not renew her PR card.

2. The PR card expiring does not mean she loses her status. As long as she meets the residency requirements, she is fine. The process of applying to renew the PR card is the same whether it is expired or not.

3. Yes, if she has a SIN. She is still a PR, just her card is expired.

4. I don't see why the PR card would have any effect on who can buy private insurance. Many students, tourists etc. buy private insurance without ever having had a PR card.

You have a couple of options with your wife expiring card. PR card applications must originate in Canada so if you choose to apply for the card right now in the hopes you will get it before you leave, you should fill out the forms and send them to your family in Canada and have them mail them in. Write a cover letter stating why you are applying for the card now and that your wife is pregnant and that your mailing address is a secure address because that is your family. If you are lucky, they send the new PR card to your family and they can mail it to your wife. If you are unlucky, the application drags on for some reason or they request that your wife come to Canada to pick up the card. Another option, when her card expires, she can apply for a PR travel document an a Canadian embassy. They are usually valid for 6 months and will grant her the right to return to Canada, no problems with the airline.

As for your child, you will need to apply for a citizenship certificate. This takes several months, especially when you do it through an embassy. However, having applied for the citizenship certificate, even if you did not get it yet means you can apply for a temporary passport for your child if you have proof of travel. Or you could just get a Korean passport to start with.

 

[Beauwest]

Thank you

I have two more questions related to getting provincial health insurance for our new baby who will be moving back to Canada 3 months after birth.

1. Will I have to wait for my child to get his or her Cnd Certificate in order to receive provincial medical insurance?

2. If we get a Korean passport for our child and apply for a Cnd Certificate back in Canada, will this disrupt or increase the length of time for our child to receive provincial health care.




Thank you for your past detailed answers.

 

[Leon]

Thank you

I have two more questions related to getting provincial health insurance for our new baby who will be moving back to Canada 3 months after birth.

1. Will I have to wait for my child to get his or her Cnd Certificate in order to receive provincial medical insurance?

2. If we get a Korean passport for our child and apply for a Cnd Certificate back in Canada, will this disrupt or increase the length of time for our child to receive provincial health care.

You should ask the health care in your province how they will handle it. Some provinces are very liberal in who they cover and some aren't.