Timeline from Decision Made

debbiewy wrote: My PR renewal application status finally changed to Decision Made sometime over the last few weeks (December 2014). Generally how long does it take to: 1. Receive confirmation letter whether my renewal is approved or rejected? Will I be notified by mail? 2. Receive renewed PR card in the mail? Will renewed PR card be sent by mail since I submitted a Canadian address? Under what reasons will they request someone to pick up the card in person instead? If I have to pick up in person and I can't make it to a CIC office within 180 days, can I request for a later date? or will they destroy my card regardless and I will have to reapply? And is there anyway to contact the CIC from overseas? I live abroad with a Canadian citizen husband.

I do not know how this will unfold, particularly, in your actual situation, and thus cannot guess at the timelines.

I can only caution, however, that CIC appears to employ a number of processing practices to avoid issuing new/replacement PR cards to PRs living abroad, even though the PR has complied with the PR Residency Obligation (such as through credit for time accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse abroad).

CIC will not mail the PR card to an address outside Canada.

Generally CIC will not mail a PR card to a representative's address, if of course CIC identifies an address as not the applicant's actual residential address. (What happens in an actual case varies depending on the circumstances.)

The last I noticed (time flies and it has been at least awhile), generally CIC would not mail notice to pick up the PR card to a representative's address either.

While not absolutely definite, generally CIC will not extend the time within which to pick up the PR card due to the PR being abroad.   

Reminders:

-- PR status is not dependent on possession of a valid PR card.

-- Generally CIC only issues and delivers new/replacement cards to PRs in Canada (technically the fact that a PR is abroad is not grounds for denying issuance of a new/replacement PR card, but again CIC employs a number of practices to avoid delivering cards to PRs who are not residing in Canada).

-- Generally a PR living abroad with a Canadian citizen spouse (accompanying a citizen spouse) should not attempt to apply for a new/replacement PR card until actually residing in Canada. PR status is not compromised even though the PR does not have a valid PR card. (Yes, this imposes some inconvenience for most PRs living abroad with a Canadian citizen spouse, and this can be very inconvenient for a PR whose passport is not visa-exempt and who thus would have to apply for a PR Travel Document for each and every trip to Canada, but this preference is CIC's policy.)

-- Because there is no detrimental impact on a PR's status due to the expiration of the PR card, it is foolish for a Canadian PR who is in compliance with the PR Residency Obligation, despite living abroad, to risk making misrepresentations, such as to actual place of residence or failing to disclose a representative (even if just a representative for purposes of receiving mail), in an attempt to obtain a new/replacement PR card.



Regarding contacting CIC from abroad: sometimes email works. Designating an authorized representative in Canada will allow your representative to contact CIC on your behalf.