A permanent resident card is given to someone who has immigrated to Canada and wishes to gain permanent residence here. It must be borne in mind that the permanent resident card does not guarantee Canadian citizenship. The permanent residents are citizens of other countries but hope to gain Canadian citizenship in the future. Anyone who is in the Canadian soil, temporarily, like a student or a foreign worker, does not qualify as a permanent resident.
Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card expired while travelling abroad
The expiration of your permanent resident (PR) card may prove to be a problem if you are outside of Canada. The Permanent Resident (PR) card is your residential proof and is your eligibility to enter Canada. If your PR card expires then you maybe denied entry to Canada. However, there are procedures to follow and rights to keep in mind while crossing the border.
How to enter Canada once Permanent Residency Card gets expired
- If you are travelling by private vehicle and you have an expired Permanent Residency (PR) card, then there are other documents to establish your legal permanent resident status in Canada. Once you enter the country, re-apply for a PR card immediately.
- If you are travelling by airplane, bus, train or boat, you will have to apply for a permanent resident travel document. Without these, you won’t be allowed to enter the country.
These are vital information to keep in mind when your PR card status expires, while you are abroad.
How to re-apply for a Permanent Resident (PR) card for Canadian Residency
If in any case, your Permanent Residency (PR) card expires, there is no need to panic. Even if your PR card expires, you don’t lose your permanent resident status in Canada. You will still remain entitled to all its benefits. As long as you are on Canadian soil, there is nothing to worry about. You can re-apply for a PR card by following the stated procedures:
- You need to be a permanent resident of Canada before submitting your application for renewed Permanent Residency (PR) card in Canada.
- First, make sure of your eligibility for your re-application. Download the application package from cic.gc.ca site and read the application guide carefully.
- Once you have read the guide, fill up the application form thoroughly. Make sure you don’t forget anything. Include a photocopy of your expired card, your passport, your travel documents that you held when you became a permanent resident, two photos, and the documents enlisted in the package and a copy of the receipt of the processing fee, with your application.
- You can pay your application fees online by credit or a debit card.
- Once you have completed your application form, make sure that the information provided is true and genuine. Re-check the form for anything you may have looked over. Once you are satisfied, send the application to the following address,
Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
If you are planning to use mail to apply for renewal of Canadian Permanent Residency Card then send it to:
Case Processing Centre – PR Card
P.O. Box – 10020
SYDNEY, NS B1P 7C1
CANADA.
If you plan to use courier to apply for renewal of Canadian Permanent Residency Card, then send it to:
Case Processing Centre – PR Card
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 5Z2.