If you want to return back to Canada by any route, the first thing you require is a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card). Is your card expiring soon? Then the best thing to do in such a case is to renew it before stepping out of Canada. It is because it is only possible to renew the PR Card while you are still inside the country. The officials never allow renewals made through a third party or send it to non-Canadian addresses.
Apply For PRTD If Your Permanent Resident Card Expires and You Are Not in Canada
If your PR card expires while you are outside Canada then in such a case you will have to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) for returning to Canada. It is a provision only for those who are out of the country. To apply for PRTD you need to prove your identity first. Next, you need to establish that you are the Permanent Resident of Canada. Finally, you will have to meet the residency obligation of a PR.
Other Documents That Can Help You Return To Canada If PR Card Expires
Other documents that you must carry along with you while boarding a flight to Canada is a valid Canadian passport. It is the only accepted identification document that will allow you to return to Canada. You should carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States (U.S.). A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada. In case you do not have a Canadian passport then you will have to furnish other documents to prove your citizenship or identity.
These include a FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), NEXUS card (for Canadian citizens coming by air, land, or sea from the USA), Canadian Temporary Passport, Canadian Emergency Travel Document, and more. Once you are back in Canada, the first thing to do is submit an application for a Permanent Resident Card. You can enter the country using a private vehicle that can be a motorcycle, a truck, or even a recreational vehicle.
The validity of the PR Card
Most of the PR cards have a validity of five years. However, there are a few cards that have a validity of only one year. So whenever the officials issue you the card, check its expiry date that is printed on the card. You cannot use an expired Permanent Resident Card as a travel document. Importantly, formalities for the renewal of the card might take a few weeks or even a month. That is why you must apply for the renewal of the card at least a couple of months before it expires.