| Going home for the holidays can be more of an | | | | and Record of Landing (IMM 1000). You will need it in |
| adventure than traveling to a foreign country and | | | | order to get a PR card. If you became a permanent |
| meeting the aborigines. Yet, every year with | | | | resident after June 2002, you will have received your |
| Christmas approaching, most of us find themselves | | | | PR card automatically as part of the immigration |
| homeward bound. Especially so new immigrants – | | | | process. |
| many long for the familiarity of their countries, their | | | | The PR card expires every five years. If you plan to |
| families, the familiar foods, language, traditions. One | | | | travel outside Canada, you should check the expiry |
| thing immigrants to Canada need to remember this | | | | date and apply for a new one at least 90 days before |
| Christmas (besides buying presents for all nephews | | | | your planned dates of travel. If you require an urgent |
| and nieces) is to make sure they have a valid PR card | | | | processing of your PR card application, you have to |
| by the time they leave Canada. | | | | attach a photocopy of your airplane, ship or bus ticket |
| The Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of | | | | or an e-ticket with a proof of payment. There is a |
| your status as a permanent resident in Canada, and | | | | government fee of $50 for regular applications. |
| therefore a document of utmost importance when you | | | | In order to apply for a Canadian PR card, first you |
| decide to travel back to Canada. You will be | | | | need to get an application kit from the immigration |
| requested to provide it even before you board a plain, | | | | services, read the guide and complete the application |
| bus or ship to Canada, and again at the Customs. In | | | | form. Remember to attach all necessary documents |
| order to travel abroad, children of permanent residents | | | | i.e. expired PR card, photocopy of valid passport, |
| also need PR cards, unless they were born in Canada | | | | photographs. The next thing is to pay the fee for |
| and are Canadian Citizens. In this case, they will need a | | | | processing your application. Make sure you print your |
| valid Canadian passport. | | | | IMM 5401 receipt of payment form and include it with |
| You are eligible for a Permanent Resident Card only if | | | | your application. The last thing is to mail your application |
| you have entered Canada legally and you have been | | | | to the address provided on your application kit. |
| granted permanent resident status but you are not yet | | | | If you need to replace a lost, stolen or expired PR |
| a Canadian citizen. You need to apply for a PR card if | | | | card, you will need to fill out an application and pay a |
| you received a permanent resident status before June | | | | fee of $50. Follow the same procedure described |
| 2002 or you need to replace an expired, lost or stolen | | | | above. In case of a lost or stolen card, you will have to |
| PR card. | | | | contact the Call Centre of Canadian Immigration |
| If you became a permanent resident before June | | | | authorities immediately after you find the card missing. |
| 2002, you were issued a document Immigrant Visa | | | | |