A permanent resident of Canada is granted to leave Canada for some time due to personal reasons or travelling abroad. While returning, the permanent resident will be required to show their valid permanent resident card, which confirms their PR status.
Most of the permanent resident card comes with the validity of five years whereas some also come with less validity. Therefore, upon expiry of the permanent resident, the card does not mean that the PR holder has lost their permanent resident status in Canada. Moreover, it means that they are not allowed to use their expired permanent resident card to enter Canada again. The only exception in such a situation is when the person is travelling to Canada by private car.
People are only granted to apply for a permanent resident card from Canada. This means if the person is presently outside Canada when their permanent resident expires, in that situation, they will not be allowed to apply for the new one until they arrive in Canada. Instead, you have the option to apply for the Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). If such a document gets approved, the permanent resident cardholder can then use such a travel document to arrive in Canada lawfully. The validity of a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is only six months following the date of its issuance. Therefore, you can use such a travel document just once. Whenever you arrive in Canada, only then you can apply for the new permanent resident card.
In order to apply for the Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD), you need to hold Canadian permanent resident status. Also, you must be outside Canada. The cost that you need to pay to apply for the permanent resident travel document is CAD 50.
Generally, a person can apply for the permanent resident travel document via mail through the nearby Canadian Visa Application Centre (VAC). You can also visit the government website as they provide a numerous list of visa application centres and several other resources for permanent residents overseas.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several visa application Centres are currently not accepting the permanent resident travel documents application. As a result, even some visa application Centres might be closed.
If the specific person cannot send the permanent resident travel application to the Visa Application Centre, they also have the option to apply online for the same.
In both cases, the individual needs to present their original passport along with the application. They might also be called for the in-person or virtual interview, which is part of the application. If the application gets approved, you will receive a permanent resident travel document counterfoil on the applicant’s passport.
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic and several other related facts, each case might react differently, so it means it’s quite unpredictable to tell the exact processing time to receive the outcome of the Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).