I'm currently living in Canada and after crunching the numbers I'll meet the 730 day obligation by March 4th, 2014. My card expires on April 4th, 2014.
With the chance of a couple of short breaks outside the country, I plan to apply for renewal prior to a planned trip on April 2nd, 2014.
My question is;
If I meet the 730 days and submit an application for renewal before I travel, will there be an issue returning to Canada on an expired card? I'll only be out of the country for 10 days which is not enough time for my renewal to be approved so in theory I'd be traveling on an expired PR card. Thoughts?
If you are visa exempt or you plan to drive to the US and back, you will be ok. If not, you will need a travel document to return and depending on where you are going, that could take more time than 10 days.
If you are Irish and therefore visa exempt, you will be fine. If you were not visa exempt, you would have a problem getting on a plane to Canada without a valid PR card, PR travel document or other visa but as I said, this is not the case for you. Don't worry.
You may get hassled when you arrive in Canada and show immigration your expired card. Just tell them you have already applied for a new one.
