I had applied for my mothers PR renewal in May 2024. But she had to leave Canada to attend to property matters in Mar 2025. She got an email from IRCC in Apr 2025 stating that her PR card is ready for pickup at the Etobicoke office. The next step for me was to apply for her PRTD doc to enable her to travel to Canada. I have now received an email from IRCC asking us to prove that she completed 730 days towards PR card renewal, which I find rather surprising. I have replied to IRCC attaching a copy of the invitation letter from IRCC to collect the PR card and some background on why she had to leave Canada. Has this happened to any body ? Any thoughts / insights on how to handle this situation.
Questions arising from PRTD application
- Thread starter chirjose2
- Start date
Had she met the RO when she applied and does she meet the RO now? The invitation means nothing. When asked to pick-up you undergo an interview to assess if you continue to meet your RO and are not guaranteed a new PR card. She isn’t even guaranteed a PRTD based on H&C. This is pretty standard for people who have left the country after they apply for PR card renewal. Given the processing time for the PR card she may not have met RO when she applied for the renewal.
Ditto observations by @canuck78 . . .
It appears that both you and her might not understand PR obligations. There is no reason to be surprised IRCC would request information and evidence documenting RO compliance from someone applying for a Travel Document dependent on their having PR status. Persons outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card are presumed to not have PR status (even those who have recently been issued but lost a new card), and eligibility for a PR TD depends on showing RO compliance or qualifying for H&C relief . . . as of the day the PR TD application is made. (Not some earlier date, like when a PR card application was made, or a PR card issued, for example.)
The instructions for making a PR TD application clearly explain that supporting documents showing RO compliance need to be submitted, or that information and alternative documents showing H&C reasons for keeping PR status provided.
If you or her did not understand that RO compliance depends on presence in Canada for at least 730 days within the previous five years, and this is a continuing obligation even for PRs with brand new cards, perhaps you should consult with an immigration professional to help you better understand how this works.
Some Key Things:
If she is currently in compliance with the RO, meaning she has spent at least 730 days in Canada within the previous five years, this should go OK. (Otherwise she is in breach, meeting the definition of inadmissible, and relying on H&C relief allowing her to keep PR status, in which case how it goes will depend on how many days she has spent in Canada in conjunction with H&C considerations.)
Nonetheless, if she is currently RO compliant, or if she has at least spent 730 days in Canada within the previous five years, as of the date the PR TD application was made, submit documentation of that as soon as possible. (That is, do as the email requested, submit proof of RO compliance.)
If she has not spent at least 730 days in Canada within the previous five years, as of the date the PR TD application was made, which again would mean that she was in breach of the RO as of that date (and now), submit information and evidence documenting H&C reasons why she should be allowed to keep PR status. Again do this as soon as possible.
If she is currently not in compliance with the RO, and particularly if she was not in compliance with the RO the date the PR TD application was made, if possible it would be a good idea to return to Canada via the U.S. Even if she can do this and does, she should still follow through with the PR TD application to make sure there is not a decision terminating her PR status. If she needs to appeal the visa office decision, being in Canada would be a big advantage (especially if she is relying on H&C relief).
Either way, she (you) should follow through with this. If the visa office denies the application for a PR TD that is a decision terminating PR status. That will terminate her PR status unless there is an appeal and she wins the appeal. She (you doing the paper/online work it appears) can start the appeal but it would be a good idea to get a lawyer to follow through with it.
As long as she has been physically in Canada within the previous year, she would be entitled to a special travel document allowing her to return to Canada pending an appeal. As noted, it is a big advantage to be IN Canada pending an appeal of a denied PR TD, although actually the big advantage is that being in Canada avoids the negative impact of more time outside Canada and in the meantime not being settled in Canada.
The PRTD is a separate application which requires you to show that she meets the residency obligation on the day she applies for the PRTD. You were required to provide evidence to show this which is why it was requested. You technically submitted an incomplete application. Your response to the IRCC inquiry was not sufficient. You need to follow up asap with the requested evidence to show your mother met the residency obligation on the day she applied for the PRTD. Do this as soon as possible.