PR validity period

[Fencesitter]

Hi all,

My wife did her medical and police checks last week (March 2). Her passport expires in 2020. We will send our application package on April 3. We don't want to leave China until around September 2013 (we need more time to save money). If everything goes well with getting approval for sponsorship and she gets her PR visa within a year, how long do we have until we must enter Canada?

I read that it's one year from the medical exam date. So would that mean we must enter Canada by March 2013? Or we have one year from March 2013? I'm a bit confused about this, and I don't wnat to leave earlier than September 2013!

Please give me some idea how this might work. We're going through the Hong Kong office, which on the website says it takes on average about 19 months...

Thanks,
FS

 

[CharlieD10]

If she is approved before March next year, she has until the 1 year anniversary of her medical to land. Landing does not mean immediately putting down roots: many PRs complete the landing procedure, return to the country of departure and close out businesses, leases, jobs etc, than return a few months later to settle down in Canada, which is perfectly fine.

 

[Fencesitter]

How long and what is involved with the landing procedure? Does my wife need to be in Canada for a certain length of time after landing?

So if she doesn't have her visa before March 2013, then she would need to do a new medical, then assuming she got her visa after the second medical, she would have one year from March 2013 (the date of her second medical), is this correct?

It wouldn't be a problem flying to Vancouver, completing the landing procedure, then flying back to China to continue our life until September 2013 when we'll have all our savings completed and can sell our car, furniture, etc..

Thanks,
FS

 

[CharlieD10]

Aside from waiting in line at whichever airport you arrive at, it takes about 15-20 mins, from what most people report. It's quite simple, you confirm some details on the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (name, address, DOB, presence of any other dependents not listed on the form), sign to say you have confirmed said details, voila, welcome to Canada! Oh, and submit your details of any Goods Accompanying and Goods to Follow to get your tax-free allowance.

She does not need to be in Canada for a certain period after landing. If need be, once she lands, she can return almost immediately to China. The PR residence requirement is 730 days in every rolling 5 year period, so in the first 5 years of PR, you need to be in Canada for at least 730 days to keep the status valid.

Correct, if she must re-do the medical, the expiry date of the PR visa will be a year after that medical.

Nope, no problem at all, many persons do it like that.

 

[Fencesitter]

Okay, thanks.

So what about the PR card? If she lands in Canada and then returns to China after a day or so, what document does she use to re-enter Canada when we are ready to move for good?

Thanks!

FS

 

[CharlieD10]

The PR card will be directed to whatever address you put on the application as "Expected Address in Canada". Ensure there is someone capable and trustworthy at said address to receive the card (sent automatically after landing, in about 48 business days), who can then pass it on you. If you decide to return before the PR card is ready, she applies to the embassy for a Returning Resident Travel Permit, which she can use to return to Canada.

 

[Fencesitter]

She applies at the Embassy or Consulate? The city I am in only has a Consulate. And you mean in China, right?

 

[CharlieD10]

Consulate will be able to provide it, yes in China.

 

[Fencesitter]

Thanks Charlie.

I was also wondering about obtaining citizenship for my wife. When we are back in Canada for good, we will stay the required length of time for citizenship purposes (I think it's 3 years). Is the process for citizenship similar to that of the PR visa / card?

I'm also wondering if my wife would be able to finally change her last name to mine. I suppose we would need to fill some forms for this, but if you have any info, please share...

Thanks,
FS

 

[CharlieD10]

Citizenship requires 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada out of the last 4 years. There is also a test of knowledge of Canada and the oath of citizenship ceremony. You will be required to show/prove physical residency, but the process should not be as tedious as PR is.

I legally assumed my husband's last name by changing my tax records and official ID here in my home country. Not sure how that works for China.