An individual applying for PR often wonders that is traveling possible before obtaining the Canadian PR card or not. Here’s more on it.
Well, once an individual applies for permanent residence & obtains the confirmation for the same, they still need to do a landing & receive the Canadian PR card in order to fully complete the process of becoming a permanent resident.
These landings are done in two ways. They can be a part of a complete immigration to Canada, wherein a new PR, as well as its dependents, arrive in Canada. The second way is soft landings, wherein the new PRs simply land in Canada in order to complete the process of acquiring the status & obtaining the first PR card.
In both cases, specifically the latter one, there might be instances where new PRs need to make traveling possible before obtaining the Canadian PR card. New permanent residents can travel before obtaining their PR card. However, the process is a bit more complicated than simply returning to Canada. This blog covers what newcomers can do in such situations. So, let us begin!
What Is A PR Card?
Before discussing the best practices to make traveling possible before obtaining the Canadian PR card, it is vital to know what a PR card is & how it operates.
A PR card is an identification document that the IRCC issues. It is used as a confirmation of status document in Canada & was instituted in 2002 as an alternative to printed identity documents.
Once a new permanent resident is approved for PR, they will obtain a PR visa, which enables them to travel to the nation. Moreover, PR visas allow permanent inhabitants to enter & reside freely in Canada.
Well, it is vital to note that the first time a new permanent resident arrives in Canada, they will not require the PR card, but instead their PR visa, valid passport, valid medical test, & confirmation of permanent residence.
Moreover, new permanent residents will not need to apply for their first PR card. It will arrive by mail to the address they provide the border officer with at the entry port or within the 180 days required to report an address in Canada.
What To Do If You Need To Travel Before Obtaining Your PR Card?
It must be noted that the Canadian government will not ship PR cards to addresses outside Canada. Moreover, third parties are not allowed to accept a PR card on behalf of the new PRs. For these reasons, a new permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card must apply for a PRTD, i.e., Permanent Residence Travel Document.
A PRTD is a travel document that permanent residents use to re-enter Canada. Newcomers can use this document if:
- They are permanent residents
- They do not have a valid PR card demonstrating their status
- They will return to the nation by air, boat, bus, or train
- They are outside of Canada
Specifically, if a permanent resident is returning to Canada via a private vehicle, there are other documents they can use to prove their identity & status.
How To Apply For A PRTD
PRTDs can only be applied for outside of Canada. In order to apply for it, new permanent residents must collect the application package & fill out & gather all applicable forms & supporting documentation. Moreover, there are associated fees to applying, which must be paid online.
Depending on where the permanent residents are applying from, they might not be able to submit a paper application. In such cases, if applicants choose to pay online, they must submit their application & supporting documents through the PR portal. On the other hand, if applied on paper, permanent residents must submit their application to the closest visa application center to them. Both the method of applying and the location that an applicant is applying to influences how quickly they receive their PRTD.
Upon applying, permanent residents might also be required to attend an interview with a VAC agent prior to obtaining a decision on their application.
Other Alternatives
If new permanent residents are aware that they need to travel urgently but have some time in Canada before their departure, they might apply for urgent processing of their PR card. Valid conditions for applying for this processing include the need to travel in the following three months due to:
- A job opportunity
- Your serious illness
- Work-related to your current job
- The death of a family member
- The serious illness of a family member
Significantly, if permanent residents are eligible for urgent processing of their PR card, they are still not guaranteed to obtain it in time. PR card applications cannot be processed in less than three weeks.