If the maple leaf card has expired and has not undergone update procedures, does it mean that it has automatically lost the qualification of a permanent Canadian resident?

Many people think that holding a maple leaf card is equivalent to having permanent resident qualifications. Once the maple leaf card expires, it means that the permanent resident status will disappear. Indeed, the maple leaf card is a valid certificate of permanent resident status, but even if the maple leaf card expires, it does not mean that the permanent resident qualification will be lost.

It should be noted that in accordance with relevant regulations, all permanent residents arriving in Canada, whether by plane, train or ship, must present maple leaf cards to Canadian Border Service officials to verify their identity. Whether entering the country by air, land or sea, border officials will require sufficient identification, and holding a valid maple leaf card is a reflection of this proof. In addition, other government departments often need to verify their identity when deciding whether permanent residents are eligible to apply for certain services.

2. Is it illegal to apply for a new card before the maple leaf card expires?

If the maple leaf card fails to go through the replacement procedures within the deadline, it does not constitute an illegal act. Individuals can even choose not to apply for a new maple leaf card. However, if permanent residents plan to go abroad and return to Canada in the future, Bon Overseas still recommends that they apply for a maple leaf card so that they can prove their permanent resident status at any time.

Once the maple leaf card expires, if the new card is not applied for in time, individuals will not be able to enter and exit the Canadian border. Despite this, they still have the freedom to travel to other countries. Before returning to their homeland, they need to apply to visa agencies in various regions of Canada to obtain "permanent resident travel documents" for single entry.

Holding a maple leaf card allows you to freely access many Canadian visa-free countries without visas, without any additional visa procedures.

Maple Leaf Card is not the equivalent of a passport or visa, and holding a maple Leaf Card is not a pass to enter countries requiring a visa. The card was designed to facilitate the holder to quickly enter Canada, not as a visa. As for the visa policies of other countries for specific passport holders, different countries have different information and need to be verified one by one.

According to Canadian immigration regulations, the maple leaf card has a five-year validity period from the date of issuance. All permanent residents in Canada must live in Canada for a total of 730 days. Individuals holding maple leaf cards are required to accumulate two years of residence within a five-year validity period and must continue to fulfill their residence obligations unless they have obtained citizenship. Whether you apply for a maple leaf card for the first time or apply for a second maple leaf card after the five-year period expires, you must pass the "residence test". All persons with permanent residence status in Canada must complete the residence requirements within any five years, with a total of more than 730 days.

Extended Reading: Application Preparation for Canadian Immigration

1. Accurate self-assessment and make reasonable plans

Applicants need to combine their personal experience and current situation, make full use of the relevant provisions in immigration regulations, and carefully plan an immigration plan that is consistent with personal reality and can maximize their own advantages. Clarifying the application goals is the cornerstone on the road to success. If you act rashly and lack preparation, it may directly lead to the failure of the application.

In fact, not only Quebec's investment immigration program requirements, but also immigration policies in other Canadian provinces, all of which need to be carefully evaluated. Therefore, if the applicant still lacks in-depth understanding of Canada's investment immigration policy, the editor strongly recommends seeking evaluation and analysis of professional immigration agencies. Given the current urgency, applicants must contact the immigration agency as soon as possible and strive to submit the application as soon as possible. The earlier they submit, the greater the possibility of approval!

2. Prepare complete and high-quality application materials

During the application stage of Quebec's investment immigration program, applicants must realize that visa officers are not familiar with you. They are difficult to distinguish the authenticity based on superficial phenomena. Only by submitting conclusive and powerful evidence can they be effectively convinced. Therefore, the pros and cons of the application materials directly determine the success or failure of the application results.

An excellent immigration application material must fully demonstrate the applicant's exquisite skills and excellent comprehensive abilities, and must also meet the standards set by the Immigration Bureau. When writing application documents, be sure to abandon the bad tendency of exaggerating and saying nothing. It is crucial to ensure the authenticity of the contents of the documents! Only when the visa officer confirms the authenticity of the applicant's statement after evaluation will he approve his application for investment immigration in Quebec.

3. Pay attention to the updates of the Canadian Embassy

After submitting the application documents, you enter a long waiting period, during which you may not need to take any action and will soon receive a physical examination form and obtain a visa. Perhaps you also need to complete steps such as supplementary materials and participating in immigration interviews. The quality of processing in these links will directly affect the success or failure of the application. Paying close attention to the progress of applicants at the same time as you will also be of great benefit to your understanding of your own situation.

4. Make full preparations before the interview

Before the Quebec investment immigration interview, be sure to make sure everything is ready to go in case incomplete information causes the interview process to be blocked or leave a bad impression on the interviewer. At the same time, the editor reminds investors to pay attention that visa officials are not as legal literacy as judges, and they prefer to evaluate the applicant's status based on their personal subjective judgment. If the interview is required to be rescheduled due to the negligence of the applicant, this may adversely affect the immigration process.

5. Try to learn the local language

Quebec's investment immigration conditions are not harsh and there are no rigid regulations on language skills. However, based on past experience, applicants who are fluent in French or English have a significantly improved success rate. Furthermore, if the applicant has an intermediate French level, he or she does not need to be limited to 1,330 quotas and can submit an application at any time. Throughout the application process, an excellent language transcript will undoubtedly add to the application. Learning English or French is just as beneficial, at least upon arrival in Canada, which helps us to integrate more smoothly into our local life.