011. Detailed explanation of the maple leaf card update

1.1 Analysis of application conditions

During the application process of renewal of maple leaf card, applicants must meet a series of established standards. First, they must meet the requirements for the length of residence, that is, they must live in Canada for at least two consecutive years (730 days in total) within the past five years, and the departure time must not exceed three years (i.e. 1095 days). Of course, there are some exceptions that can be applied for exemptions, such as living abroad with the family members of Canadian citizens, working overseas in Canadian businesses or public institutions, or serving Canadian companies overseas as permanent residents.

The applicant must be a permanent resident of Canada and must be located in Canada when applying. If you are abroad, you must first apply for a permanent resident travel document before you can enter the country and apply for a maple leaf card.

Finally, the applicant shall not have a record of repatriation or a conviction record of improper use of a maple leaf card.

1.2 Recommended time for application

As the maple leaf card is about to expire, it is recommended that you start preparing for the application nine months (that is, 270 days) in advance. Given that the validity period of the maple leaf card is five years, applying in advance can effectively avoid potential inconvenience.

Recently, the processing time for maple leaf cards has been shortened; in the past, the processing period may be as long as three to six months; however, since the support for online submission of applications started at the end of 2023, the processing efficiency has been significantly improved; at present, it is expected that the new card will be delivered within four to five weeks.

1.3 Application method selection

Applicants have a diverse application path when renewing their maple leaf card. They can use an online method, that is, log in to the IRCC official website to download the required files, fill in the relevant information and upload them; or choose offline channels to mail all necessary files to the designated receiving address.

In the material preparation process, be sure to pay attention to the format requirements of the photo. You should choose JPG or PNG format. The size range should be between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels. At the same time, the file volume must be controlled within 4MB. For offline applications, you need to prepare application forms, supplementary materials, lists, old cards, copies and photos of identity certificates. Applicants should pay attention to distinguishing between two types of materials: "proof documents" and "copy of certificate documents", and be sure to ensure that only one copy of key documents such as passports is copied.

1.4 FAQ

During the process of replacing maple leaf card, several common problems are sometimes encountered. For example, even if the maple leaf card has expired, people still have the opportunity to apply for updates, but they must present their place of residence in the process.

If you plan to travel abroad during the update process, you must submit an update request before the maple leaf card is about to expire, and you must also bring expired cards and required application materials to leave the country. However, the departure period should be strictly controlled within six months.

Finally, the fee for renewal of the maple leaf card is 50 Canadian dollars, and it will not be refunded once paid.

The update of the maple leaf card is extremely critical for people living in Canada. I hope everyone can refer to this guide carefully to ensure the smooth progress of the update process and start a new and beautiful life.