PR Card

[shivat]

Friends,

I have applied for sponsorship PR 5 years ago for my father and we got the visa now. But, at this time I am in India on a short time assignment and will have to be in India for a while for work reasons. So, I am planning to go to Canada with my Father to land there, apply for PR card and SIN card and coming back to India. But, It looks like it will take 60 days to process the PR card application. So, Should my father be there physically to receive the PR card in Canada? I thought that someone could receive the card and send the card by mail to India. Is it possible? or Is there any risk in it?

We understand that if he comes out of Canada, he can not go back without PR card. Your suggestion is highly appreciated.

Thanks
Shivat

 

[computergeek]

I have applied for sponsorship PR 5 years ago for my father and we got the visa now. But, at this time I am in India on a short time assignment and will have to be in India for a while for work reasons. So, I am planning to go to Canada with my Father to land there, apply for PR card and SIN card and coming back to India. But, It looks like it will take 60 days to process the PR card application. So, Should my father be there physically to receive the PR card in Canada? I thought that someone could receive the card and send the card by mail to India. Is it possible? or Is there any risk in it?

There is no problem having someone forward his card to him outside Canada. He has three years before he has to be residing in Canada (to meet the PR residency obligation).

We understand that if he comes out of Canada, he can not go back without PR card. Your suggestion is highly appreciated.

This is not true. He can apply for a PR Travel Document, which is similar to the PR visa they put in his passport initially, and authorizes him to travel back to Canada (good for one use).

 

[shivat]

Thanks for suggestion Computergeek.

Shivat

 

[Fencesitter]

In order to apply for the SIN card, do you need to be in the province where you will be living? We're landing in BC, but we'll eventually be living in ON...could my wife apply for her SIN card while we are in BC?

Thanks,
FS

 

[computergeek]

In order to apply for the SIN card, do you need to be in the province where you will be living? We're landing in BC, but we'll eventually be living in ON...could my wife apply for her SIN card while we are in BC?

Yes, she can obtain her SIN at any Service Canada office. There are a large number of Service Canada offices here in Vancouver. Here's the link to find an office: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/sc-srch.cgi?app=hme&ln=eng

Note that she will walk out with the SIN number and they send the SIN card in the mail shortly thereafter - at least they did. I know they planned on phasing out the SIN cards.

Good luck!

 

[Fencesitter]

Thanks, computergeek.

This is a bit of a tangent, but I have never updated my Ontario health card. I still have the old one with only the numbers (no picture or anything). Is that card still valid even though it's the older version? Friends told me that even though I have been living abroad for a number of years, I'll still have access to health care under the provincial plan (no need for a waiting period). I guess this is true, unless they have a way to check to see where I've been living...??

Thanks,
FS

 

[computergeek]

Thanks, computergeek.

This is a bit of a tangent, but I have never updated my Ontario health card. I still have the old one with only the numbers (no picture or anything). Is that card still valid even though it's the older version? Friends told me that even though I have been living abroad for a number of years, I'll still have access to health care under the provincial plan (no need for a waiting period). I guess this is true, unless they have a way to check to see where I've been living...??

Thanks,
FS

Technically, you must wait three months: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/wait.html

However, as you observed, there is sometimes an issue of enforcement and I've routinely heard of people returning to Canada and immediately using health services (or even people living abroad who then return to Canada for health services.)

So my reading is that from a legal perspective, you would need to wait 3 months, but operationally your results may vary.

Good luck!