A new permanent resident card is a document which is being used by the Canadian citizens mainly to travel. This is one way by which the permanent residents in Canada can prove the fact that they are actually permanent residents and it also includes the PRTD which means “permanent resident travel document”. This very document is the only one that grants the Canadian permanent residents the privilege of returning to Canada through the means of a commercial vehicle.
This card was formally named “Maple Leaf Card”, and this name is still being used while speaking informally. The first proposal of this the permanent resident card was in the year 2001, and the first time the cards were being distributed was on the 28th of June, 2002.
Just as the passports of the Canadians were being issued by the IRCC, so also were the whole permanent cards. These cards are also owned by the agency of Canadian Crown which means that whenever they request for the card, it should be returned to the Canadian Crown.
Now, let us talk about how these cards were being designed and the recent design it has.
The design of the permanent resident card
Originally, we have just two main types of permanent card. They are the 2009 and 2015 version. Since the lifespan of all the permanent resident cards is only 5 years, we can no longer refer to the first 2002 version.
2002, 2009, and 2015 versions of the permanent resident card have a maple leaf design in its front which makes it the reason why people refer to it as a “maple leaf card”. Let us talk about the new version of the permanent resident card.
2015 version
Since the year 2015, on the 25th day of November, this very version of PR card has been in circulation. This 2015 version is designed to have a chip (RFID) which individuals can use for crossing land borders in the future. Rather than storing or saving personal information of people just like other Canadian passports, it serves as a very special identifier. Some RFID readers are being stationed in the Canada port entrance who will read the RFID chip. This 2015 design has some resemblance with the 2009 version of the PR card. This new permanent resident card removed the category of immigration along with the barcode (2-D) which is behind the card.
The validity of the new permanent resident card
Every permanent resident card is only valid for 5 years. But, if the IRCC assesses the permanent resident status of an individual, the card can still be valid for an extra year.
To meet the obligations for residency, you will have to be seen personally in Canada for up to 2 years or above within every five years. Every period of five years is always being assessed. In essence, within the five years, you can decide to go on a trip outside the provinces of Canada and stay for three years.
If you are not inside Canada and you have not met the obligations, you may lose your status as immigration permanent resident. In some cases, you might be requested to leave the country (Canada) by an officer of immigration.