renewing PR card

[toby]

Has the landscape changed?

It used to be that one could get the card renewed, but one had to receive it personally at a local Immigration Office in Canada, within 90 days of receiving the notification letter.

Is this still true?

If so, it makes it difficult for us, a Canadian husband with a Chinese wife. We are temporarily stuck in China, so it would be difficult to come to Canada just for my wife to take possession of the renewed PR card, and then have to return to China until our affairs are tied up.


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[Leon]

There isn't really a good process for PR's who are outside Canada to renew their PR cards. On the CIC website, some of the info states that you should be in Canada to renew but if you go into the operational manuals, you will find that it is not a set in stone requirement that you must be in Canada yourself as long as your application originates from Canada. It also says that they can not refuse to renew your PR card solely because you aren't in Canada. They can however request that you pick it up in person when it is ready. In some cases renewed cards are mailed out but only to a Canadian address.

If your wife is willing and able to fly to Canada to pick up the card when it is ready, you can apply now but have relatives in Canada mail the application in for you and give their address as a mailing address. If she is lucky, the card will be mailed there but odds are that because she is outside Canada, they will request that she pick it up in person.

If your wife is unable to fly to Canada to pick up the card, then you should not renew it now. When you are ready to return, she can apply for a PR travel document and apply to renew her PR card after she arrives.

 

[Msafiri]

The IRPA regs refer to an application 'originating' in Canada. Poor drafting by the CIC legal team as their intent was probably the applicant had to be physically present in Canada. Most applicants in your situation either make an 'In Canada application trip' or mail the forms to family/friends to forward to CIC. Application form asks for your current Canadian residential address which cross referencing to addresses in the 5 year period would clearly show you don't reside in Canada.

OB 536 indicates CIC requiring 'out of Canada' PR Card applicants to pick their card up in person. You can apply for a PR card up to 180 days prior to its expiry date so this will give some leeway to any planned travel.