PR Renewal - Please advise

[nwokediy]

• Title: PR Card Renewal After Meeting 730 Days – Chances of Approval for Myself and My 9-Year-Old Son?
  
  Hi everyone,
  
  I'm hoping to get some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience with PR card renewals, particularly where the residency obligation is met shortly before applying.
  
  My immigration and residency timeline:
  
  • Became a Canadian PR: February 7, 2020 (soft landing for approximately one week).
  • June–November 2020: Returned to Canada, during which time I gave birth to my twins, who are Canadian citizens by birth.
  • PR card expired: February 2025.
  • Returned to Canada to reside permanently: December 30, 2024.
  • Expected completion of 730 days: December 30, 2026.
  • Planned PR card renewal application: January 1, 2027.
  • Planned international travel: March 10, 2027.
• My 9-year-old son:
  
  My son also became a Canadian permanent resident on February 7, 2020, and his PR card expired in February 2025.
  
  He returned to Canada with me on December 30, 2024, and has been living and attending school here since then. I intend to submit his PR card renewal application at the same time as mine, on January 1, 2027.
  
  Evidence of our establishment in Canada:
  
  Since returning in December 2024, I have been living and working in Canada and have established strong ties here.
  
  • I have been employed in Canada and have employment records, tax documents and bank statements.
  • I purchased a home in Canada in June 2026.
  • My children are enrolled in school in Canada.
  • My twins are Canadian citizens, having been born here in 2020.
  • I can provide documentation supporting our continuous residence in Canada.
• My questions:
  
  1. Has anyone successfully renewed their PR card after spending several years outside Canada but subsequently meeting the 730-day residency obligation?
  2. Given that both my son and I would be applying almost immediately after meeting the 730-day requirement, is there a significant risk of additional scrutiny, delays or refusal?
  3. Does IRCC consider our previous extended absence from Canada, even if we meet the residency obligation at the time of application?
  4. Would it be better to wait a few additional weeks after reaching 730 days before applying, or should January 1 be fine? i really need to travel in march 2027 unfailingly.
  5. For my son, who is a minor, would his application be assessed differently, or could his renewal be delayed because of our previous absence?
  6. Does having established significant ties to Canada, including employment, homeownership and children attending school, help in the assessment?
  7. Given our planned travel on March 10, 2027, is it realistic to expect both renewed PR cards before then?
     
     I understand that meeting the residency obligation is the main requirement, but I'm concerned about whether our previous absence could trigger a secondary review despite now being settled in Canada.
     
     Thank you in advance for your advice and experiences!

 

[armoured]

4. Yes, it probably would be better to give it an extra couple or three weeks.

As for the rest, it's very hard for anyone to guess whether it might take longer than ~60 days or so.

You can of course leave the country without a PR card, and if it arrives later have it sent to you. Or apply abroad for a PRTD upon arrival in that country abroad (some will say you can submit the application before you leave even - I have no comment on that).

The downside in both cases is that you do not have as much control or certainty about when these may be approved/received by you both and hence when you can return.

If you have access to the USA (eg a visa or passport that allows you to enter USA), you can fly to USA and cross a land border. Delaying departure until you get the cards would be the easiest, of course.

But overall with two years plus in Canada straight, should be ok.

 

[nwokediy]

4. Yes, it probably would be better to give it an extra couple or three weeks.

As for the rest, it's very hard for anyone to guess whether it might take longer than ~60 days or so.

You can of course leave the country without a PR card, and if it arrives later have it sent to you. Or apply abroad for a PRTD upon arrival in that country abroad (some will say you can submit the application before you leave even - I have no comment on that).

The downside in both cases is that you do not have as much control or certainty about when these may be approved/received by you both and hence when you can return.

If you have access to the USA (eg a visa or passport that allows you to enter USA), you can fly to USA and cross a land border. Delaying departure until you get the cards would be the easiest, of course.

But overall with two years plus in Canada straight, should be ok.

Thanks so much for a very fast response!