For those who have renewed cards a question. Did you have to send in your current card or use a photocopy ?

CIC says

Include these documents when you apply:

your PR card (if your card has expired or if the information on it is out of date or incorrect),

a copy of:

your valid passport or travel document, or
a copy of the passport or travel document you held at the time you became a permanent resident
Photocopies must be clear or we will send your application back to you.

It's just that ours run out Dec 14, and my boy and OH are going to the UK returning Dec 7, I get a feeling I can't apply for new until they get back.

unless I can apply without their cards and use photo copies.

If your PR card is still valid then keep it & send a photocopy. That's what I did.

Great answer :@)

you can renew within six months of its expiry is what I read. Current processing time is about 100 days

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa.../perm-card.asp

you can also do an urgent renewal if traveling within 3 months

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...processing.asp

Thanks I read that. Was the fact that we need the cards that we have to stay in our possession while our applications run their weary way through the bowls of CIC Canadodatnowwilllaterbeok.

Kept my old card, just sent in a copy. No issues at all getting the new one.

Are you likely to be travelling abroad. After your PR runs out and before cityizenship comes through? Ours had expired and just as I was about to send off for new cards the ctizendhip dates came through. Might save you a bit of folding.

It did cross my mind Bats, but the boy may be playing footy state side next season and would need a card ASAP. Don't want it to be last minute so I will hand over the Visa details and enter the CIC maze.

Ah yes, you don't want to mess that up. When will he hear?

He played last May in the Dallas Cup for TFC, maybe they go back this year, or maybe turn pro and play USL pro league? We don't know yet until this season is done.