The certificate of permanent resident status in Canada, officially named "Permanent Resident Card", marks the cardholder's right to permanent residence in Canada and allows them to pass freely within the country, while enjoying public resources such as social welfare, medical care and education. Mastering the detailed steps for applying for a maple leaf card and common reasons for rejection can help applicants to prepare in advance, thereby increasing the possibility of application approval.

Application Qualifications and Conditions

Before obtaining a maple leaf card, applicants must first become permanent residents of Canada. This identity is usually obtained through a variety of ways such as Federal Express Track Provincial Nomination Program, Canadian Experience Category, Family Reunion, and Venture Capital. Regardless of which path you choose, the applicant must meet a series of basic requirements:

Be healthy and pass the official designated physical examination

No criminal record and background check proof

Scores such as age, language, education and work experience meet project requirements

Financial status is self-sufficient and has no risk of relying on social assistance

Application preparation and list of materials

Before formally submitting a Maple Leaf Card application, the application for immigration status must be completed first and ensured that it is approved. Once approved, the applicant will need to prepare the following required documents:

Copy of valid passport homepage and personal information page

Permanent residence approval letter or immigration paper (of)

Two recent photos that meet the specifications

Fill in the complete Maple Leaf Card Application Form (IMM 5444)

Visa fee and fingerprint collection fee receipt

If you live abroad for a long time, you must provide a certificate of residence or entry record.

Online and paper application process

Maple Leaf Card Application can be carried out through the Internet platform provided by IRCC or through traditional paper letter mailing. Among them, the online application process is relatively simple:

Create or log in to a personal account on the IRCC official website

Upload the required forms and scans and pay the corresponding fees

Make an appointment online to the Visa Application Center (VAC) to collect biometric information

When submitting a paper application, it is necessary to ensure that all relevant documents are sorted out, with a postage certificate and a return envelope attached, and then send them to the specified receiving address.

Biometrics and physical examination arrangements

After submitting the application information, the applicant will receive a notification about fingerprint and photo collection. Usually, this step requires completing the interview at the designated visa service center. The collected fingerprint information is mainly used for identity verification and background review. The results of the physical examination have been submitted in the previous immigration process. When the card renewal process is reached, there is usually no need to undergo a physical examination again unless the Immigration Bureau makes a special request, or the applicant's residence has undergone major changes.

No criminal record and background check

Certificates of no criminal record submitted during the immigration application stage have their validity period. During certain card renewal steps, applicants must provide the latest supporting documents. If the applicant has lived in other countries for a long time since the last application, he or she must apply to the public security organs of those countries or regions to issue a new certificate of criminal record and complete the consular certification procedures in accordance with the regulations.

Approval waiting and entry login

After submitting relevant materials and completing biometric verification, applicants need to remain patient and wait for approval from the Canadian Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC). During this waiting period, applicants can check their application progress through the online platform. Once the maple leaf card is approved, it will be sent to the designated address provided by the applicant. At the same time, the travel documents of permanent residents will be updated so that applicants can enter Canada again. If the applicant is not in Canada at this time, it is recommended to present immigration approval documents and application certificates to the border checkpoint when entering the country. This can ensure that the customs clearance process is smooth.

Common reasons for rejection

Even if you have obtained the qualification of a permanent resident, the renewal process of the maple leaf card may face rejection or delay. Common reasons include:

Residence obligation not met: Cumulative residence in Canada within five years is less than 730 days

There are defects in the application materials or conflicts in information: such as inaccurate filling of the form, lack of necessary signatures, or inaccurate scanning of the document.

Biometric information is inconsistent: fingerprint collection is incomplete or photos do not meet specifications

No criminal certificate or health certificate has expired: No recent valid background review and medical examination report can be provided.

Stay abroad for too long: not submitting a return plan or residence certificate in time