In this article, we will be discussing PR card and how you can get yours in Canada. If you are looking to qualify or apply for your permanent resident card, make sure to read through this article and gather all the advice we have to create a successful application.
What is a PR Card Used for?
A Permanent Resident or PR card is given to people that hold nationality from another country but have live within Canada and met the qualification to receive permanent residence. For example, a student or foreign worker are not permanent residents.
When Should You Apply for a Permanent Resident Card?
You should apply for a pr card in Canada when you have lived within the country for a minimum of 730 days within the past 5 years. If you have met this obligation, you are more likely to have your application accepted by the government.
Why You Should Apply for a Permanent Resident Card?
There are several reasons why you would apply for a pr card. The main reason is the benefits that come from being a permanent resident in Canada. Here are some of those benefits:
- Health care coverage and other social benefits
- The ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada
- Protection under Canadian Law and the Charter of Rights
However, permanent residency is not a full Canadian citizen, and you will be excluded from some of the power’s citizenship grants. For example, you will not have the ability to vote or run for office.
What Are the Residency Obligations to Qualify for Your Permanent Resident Card?
Eligibility for pr card in Canada requires that you meet the following conditions:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada for nearly 3 years within the last 5 years
- Be physically present in Canada
- Not be under an effective removal order
- Not be a Canadian citizen
- Not be convicted of an offense related to misuse of a pr card
- Meet other residency requirements
What Does it Mean to Have been a PR Less Than 5 years?
Canadian law requires that you are present within Canada for 2 years out of every 5 to continue to qualify for permanent residency.
Have Been a PR for More Than 5 Years?
If you have had your PR for more than 5 years, you will need to seek renewal through the Canadian government. A pr card’s validity only lasts for a total of 5 years.
What To Do if You do Not Meet the Residency Obligations?
In order to lose your permanent resident status, an official process must take place and it will not happen automatically. If you fail to meet the obligations under Canadian law, you have a few options.
Renewing PR Cards on Humanitarian or Compassionate Grounds
In this scenario, you can request your pr card be approved because you missed some obligations due to extenuating circumstances. If immigration authorities are satisfied with the reasons for failing to meet one of the obligations, they may still offer permanent residency.
Alternatively, if your fail to meet the obligations, you must reapply from phase one and try to get accepted for permanent residency again.
Who Must Apply for a PR Card?
If you are a new permanent resident, you will not be required to apply for a PR card. Instead, it will be mailed to your Canadian address once you have immigrated into the country.
How to Apply for a PR Card?
Applying for your PR card can be understood in 6 steps:
- Fill out the online form
- Scan and upload all of the required documents and information
- Pay your PR card and application fees
- Submit your completed application
- Get your fingerprints and photo taken
- Periodically check your application status online until you can get your card.
These steps are subject to change, and it is important to consistently check the Canadian government website to see if there have been any added rules of guidelines.
What Are the Required Documents for a Permanent Resident Card?
It is important to note that if any of the required documents listed below are missing or not clear, your application will be denied and returned.
You will be required to submit a variety of important and personal documents when applying for a PR card in Canada. Here are some of the documents you will be required to submit:
- A passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Proof of Canadian education or educational credential assessment
- Provincial nomination (if applicable)
- Written job offer from an employer in Canada (if applicable)
- Proof of funds
- Photo: 2 identical photos taken with 12 months of the application
Other documents that may be required based on your application:
- Police certificates
- Medical exams
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate
- Adoption certificate
- Divorce certificate
After collecting these documents, make sure to ensure that they are properly completed before submitting them with your application.
Where to Submit PR Card Applications?
After filing out your application and collecting the required documents, you will need to send your application and payment to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It will be done by mail, and you can get the exact information by visiting the Canadian government website.
What is the Validity of a PR Card?
In most cases, a Canadian PR card is valid for a total of 5 years. However, it is important to note that some cards are only valid for a period of 1 year. If your PR card is within 6 months of expiry, you should start your renewal process to get a new one.
What is the Cost of a PR Card?
In Canada, the cost to apply for a PR card is $50. You will be required to pay this fee each time that you apply, replace or renew your PR card.
Where to Get a PR Card Photo That Meets the Requirements? (Quickly & Cheaply)
Getting your ID photo for your PR card is an important step as it must meet a selection of requirements to be accepted by the immigration office. We recommend using Smartphone iD as it comes with a compliance check to ensure the photo meets all these guidelines.
Therefore, you won’t need to worry about the photo being denied and having to wait longer for your PR application to be accepted. Additionally, the Smartphone iD app is one of the cheapest on the market and will have your photo sent directly to your email inbox on the same day.
Summary
In summary, the PR card application process can be challenging but with helpful tools like the Smartphone iD app and the information in this article, you should be able to have your application submitted quickly and easily.
