How long can I apply in advance?

Before the Canadian maple card expires, you can apply for a new maple card of up to 9 months. Typically, the processing time of maple leaf cards is 8 to 12 weeks. The applicant must go to the designated location in person and pass a notice letter, which cannot be collected by others. The immigration department keeps the card for 180 days so that the applicant can keep it for 180 days after making it. If the applicant fails to collect it within the time limit, the card will be destroyed. The applicant must reapply. For specific procedures, you can check the Canadian Maple Leaf Card Application Process.

Requirements for replacing Canadian maple card:

Whether you apply for a maple leaf card for the first time or apply for a second maple leaf card in the next five years, you must pass the "residence test". Any person with permanent residence status in Canada must fulfill his residence obligations for more than 730 days within any five years. If you have not lived for five years since logging in, you can also consider it to meet the following 5 residency requirements and include the time of residence in the calculation and be considered to have fulfilled your residency obligation:

1. Accompanying Canadian citizens abroad: living outside Canada, family with Canadian citizenship;

2. Overseas work: Full-time employees sent overseas by Canadian companies or full-time officials.

3. Accompany Canada to permanently reside abroad. Your daily companionship of Canadian permanent residents abroad can be included in the calculation. This permanent resident must be your spouse, cohabitation partner or parent.

4. Hold a valid return certificate. Valid rebate certificate holders can include it in foreign calculations every day.

5. Human reasons. If the residence requirements are not met, any inseparable humanitarian factors may still be included in the reasons for whether an individual maintains permanent resident status. The Immigration Bureau will notify whether additional review is required.

The above is about the question that Canadian Maple Leaf Card can apply for a new card before the replacement card expires. Hope it helps you! If you have any questions during your application period, keep the Canadian Maple Leaf Card (if you do not meet the living conditions, or it is too late), feel free to ask our Maple Leaf Card Expert and we will reply you as soon as possible.