|
What is the Permanent Resident (PR) Card?
It is document that be issued to Permanent Residents that would serve as
a proof of their status in Canada
The PR card would also be called a Maple Leaf Card is a plastic card
which looks very much like a credit card.
It is renewable and has state-of-the-art security features which makes
it hard for anyone to forge or alter.
How
does the PR look like?
Below is a sample PR card provide by the Canadian
Immigration Center
Who will
need a PR card?
-
New
Immigrants
Beginning June 28, 2002, it would be issued to everyone who have
successfully been approved as a Permanent Resident.
As soon as you enter Canada, you have to provide an address where the PR
Card can be mailed to you within 30 days.
If you don't know your mailing address, you have to contact the PR Call
Centre and provide them your mailing address.
You have to do this within 180 days after arrival in Canada. If you
don't, then you need to re-apply again and pay the fees again.
-
Existing
Permanent Residents
Beginning September15, 2002, anyone who is already in Canada as a
Permanent Resident but not yet a Canadian citizen can apply
for the PR Card.
Do children of Permanent Residents born outside Canada need a PR Card too?
Yes,
anyone who will reside in Canada as a Permanent Resident will need a PR
Card if they wanted to travel internationally.
What about those children born in Canada, do they need a PR Card too?
No, children of Permanent Residents born in Canada automatically become
Canadian citizens. They need a Canadian passport if they wanted
to travel outside Canada.
Where can I apply for a PR Card ?
For
existing Permanent Residents, you can obtain a PR Application Kit from www.cic.gc.ca.
Or you can call the PR Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541.
What if I change my mailing address?
After
applying for your PR Card, you should notify the the Call Centre of any
change in your mailing address. Remember the PR Card will be sent to you
through mail so it is a must that you notify the PR Call Centre for any
changes.
Call the PR Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541.
What if I don't have a PR card?
Permanent
residents are not obligated to apply for a PR card. However after
December 31, 2003 if are traveling outside Canada, commercial carriers
(airplane, boat, train and bus) are not allowed to carry Permanent
Residents to Canada without the PR card.
I am already a Canadian citizen, do I still need a PR Card?
No,
you need a Canadian Passport if you want to travel outside of Canada.
The PR Card is automatically cancelled once a Permanent Resident becomes a
Canadian citizen.
What is the importance of the PR Card when traveling?
The
PR card would facilitate the security screening of Permanents Resident's
entry and return to Canada when boarding a commercial carrier
What are the other features of the PR Card?
It
shows a laser-engraved photograph, signature and description of the
height, eye colour, gender of the Permanent Resident.
The card has also an optical stripe that contains encrypted information,
but these can only be accessed by the authorized government officers.
Nobody can add, edit or delete information that is already in the PR Card
making it more secured.
Is there any document I can use aside from the PR Card?
None.
After December 31, 2003, all Permanent Residents seeking entry to Canada
(that is returning from an international travel) will need to show their
PR Card.
What if I don't have plans to travel internationally before I become a
Canadian citizen?
You
need not apply for a PR card.
Can the government used this PR Card to spy on me?
The
PR Card cannot be used to monitor the activities or track the movement of
anybody. This will protect the Permanent Resident's right to
privacy.
How much is the PR Card ?
The
PR card would cost Can $ 50.00 per applicant. Remember, even children
needs a PR Card.
How long is the card valid?
The
card would be valid for 5 years. It can be renewed after its expiration.
Tell
me more about the PR Card
We
all know what happened to the USA on September 11, 2001.
After this tragic event, the Canadian government wanted to protect the
safety of all Canadians and implement other security measures for those
people crossing the USA-Canada borders. The introduction of the PR
Card would eliminate some if not all of the problems of identifying who
are the legal Permanent residents from the illegal ones.
|