Travel Plans: Pr Visa Application Process

Travelling during a permanent resident (PR) visa application depends on the country in question. For instance, in Canada, it is possible to leave the country while your PR status is being processed. However, you must ensure that you meet all the admissibility rules to gain entry back into the country. This includes having a valid passport, work or student permit, and an electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa.

On the other hand, in the United States, travelling outside the country while your permanent residence application is being processed may inadvertently cancel your application. To avoid this, you need to obtain advance parole from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Obtaining advance parole can take a minimum of four months, but it is necessary if you wish to travel before your permanent residence application has been approved.

Travel outside Canada during PR application

If you are a permanent resident (PR) of Canada, you are allowed to travel outside the country while your PR card application is in process. However, there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure that you meet all the admissibility rules to be granted entry back into Canada upon your return. The required documents for re-entry include:

• A valid passport and any other travel documents.
• A valid work or student permit, if required.
• An electronic travel authorization or a valid visitor visa.

It is also important to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from your travel. If your PR card expires, you will need to apply for a new one. Additionally, when travelling outside Canada, it is your responsibility to carry and present your valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight or travelling by any other commercial carrier to Canada. Failure to do so may result in being unable to board your flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada.

Furthermore, if you are travelling without a valid PR card, you may need to apply for a PRTD before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle. It is important to note that PR status is different from Canadian citizenship. PRs are usually citizens of other countries or may be stateless persons. Therefore, when travelling outside Canada, it is essential to comply with the laws and requirements of the country you are entering and present the required documents, such as a passport or travel document.

Returning to Canada by commercial vehicle without a PR card

If you are returning to Canada by commercial vehicle without a PR card, you will need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). This is because, for anyone travelling outside a country commercially, it is mandatory to carry their permanent resident card to re-enter and gain access to the country without complications.

You can apply for a PRTD from outside Canada, and you may need to do so if you are planning to travel by plane, train, bus, or boat. If you try to return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD, you may be denied access to transportation services.

It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application, which could delay your return to Canada.

Returning to Canada by private vehicle without a PR card

If you are returning to Canada by private vehicle and do not have a valid permanent resident (PR) card, you can use other documents to enter the country. These include:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document
• Provincial driver's licence
• Provincial health card
• Social insurance number card or letter
• Vehicle registration

You will need to prove your identity to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) using these other forms of identification. It is recommended that you have more than one form of identification ready to prove your identity at the border.

If you are a citizen of the United States and a permanent resident of Canada, you can enter and exit Canada using your valid US passport. However, it is still recommended that you have your CoPR document with you.

Applying for a PR card when you return to Canada

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and you plan to travel outside Canada, you will need a Permanent Resident (PR) card to re-enter the country. The PR card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. It is not a citizenship document and does not make you a Canadian citizen, but it does indicate that you have the right to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis.

You will need a valid PR card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus, or boat. If your PR card expires while you are travelling, you must renew it before you leave. You can only renew your card in Canada, and PR cards are not sent to non-Canadian addresses or to third parties. If you are outside Canada and do not have a valid PR card, you will need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to return.

You can apply for a PR card when you return to Canada. To be eligible for a PR card, you must:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada
• Be physically present in Canada
• Meet the residency requirement, which is to have been physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the past five years
• Not be under an effective removal order
• Not be a Canadian citizen
• Not be convicted of an offence related to the misuse of a PR card

To apply for a PR card, you will need to fill out an application form and submit various supporting documents, including:

• Proof of payment of the processing fee
• Photos that meet the specified requirements
• Proof of identity, such as a valid passport or travel document
• Proof that you meet the residency obligation, such as employment records or a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment from the past five years

The application process typically takes a few months, and you may be able to request urgent processing if you need to travel within the next three months due to serious illness, the death of a family member, work-related reasons, or another urgent situation.

Applying for a PRTD from outside Canada

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and are outside the country without a valid permanent resident card, you will need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. You can apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.

To apply for a PRTD, you need to:

• Confirm your PR status
• Meet the residency obligation of a permanent resident

You will need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of your current and valid passport
• Copies of all pages of the passport(s) or travel document(s) used in the past five years
• Proof of meeting the residency obligation in the past five years
• Fee receipt

If you are applying from China, you will also need to include an "Inquiry of Exit & Entry Record" from China.

You can apply for a PRTD online through the Permanent Residence Portal. You can also submit a paper application to your nearest visa application centre.

It is important to note that processing times for a PRTD may be longer than usual, which could delay your return to Canada. If your request is urgent, you can check the "Yes, my request is urgent" option in the portal or write "Urgent" on your paper application envelope. You must also include a supporting document explaining the reason for the urgency.

Frequently asked questions