Permanent Resident Card and Permanent Resident Travel Document
A Permanent Resident (PR) card is the official proof of permanent resident status in Canada and is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Permanent residents must carry a valid PR card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) when returning to Canada on commercial transportation such as an airplane, train, bus, or boat.
Without one of these documents, a permanent resident may not be allowed to board transportation to Canada.
Renewal of PR Card
A PR card must be valid when it is presented to an officer at a Canadian port of entry. If the card expires, the permanent resident must apply for a PR card renewal to obtain a new valid card. Importantly, the expiry of a PR card does not mean that permanent resident status has been lost. Even if the card has expired, the individual remains a permanent resident of Canada unless a formal determination is made otherwise.
Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)
If a permanent resident is outside Canada and their PR card has expired or been lost, they must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) in order to return to Canada on commercial transportation. A PRTD is typically issued by a Canadian visa office abroad and serves as a temporary document allowing the permanent resident to travel back to Canada.
Renouncing Permanent Resident Status
In certain situations, individuals may choose to formally renounce their permanent resident status, for example when they no longer meet the residency requirements or wish to avoid complications when applying for a temporary visa to Canada. This process also falls under the authority of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Elite Law Corporation assists clients with PR card renewals, applications for Permanent Resident Travel Documents (PRTDs), and applications to renounce permanent resident status, ensuring that all requirements are properly addressed and that clients maintain or resolve their immigration status in Canada.