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在受到太多抱怨之后，加拿大移民部终于对枫叶卡管理进行了最便民的改革。联邦公民及移民部长范茵丽（Diane Finley）日前宣布，持枫叶卡人士申请换卡时，不必交还在有效期內的旧卡，待收到领取新卡通知时，才须要持旧的枫叶卡领取新卡。

此外，申请及换领枫叶卡时不再需要担保人签名或找律师进行宣誓，大幅简化申请程序。移民部长指出，有部分新移民难以找到认识他们两年而又符合资格的担保人，因而作出有关改动。她透露，移民部有方法去確定枫叶卡申请人在本国居住，但基於保安理由，不会透露详情。她补充说，申请枫叶卡的程序大概需要11个星期，鼓励需要新卡的人士，在3个月前申换枫叶卡。

根据旧有规定，枫叶卡持卡人在申请换卡时，需同时缴回旧卡，令他们出国后再返加拿大时，需要另外申请旅行文件（Travel Document）才能入境，对这些永久居民非常不便。不过，移民部强调，枫叶卡如果已经过期，申请时旧卡还是必须缴回。

另一方面，已往不管是首次申请枫叶卡，或是换领枫叶卡，都必须要有担保人，如果无担保人的申请者，必须在律师或公证人面前进行宣誓，確定自己提供的资料属实。但在新规定实施后，不仅不需要担保人，律师宣誓的部分也不需要。

移民部表示，修改规定是因為移民部预期每年换卡人潮，耗费大量人力物力。而申请表上要求担保人的部分，经移民部检討，可经由查核申请人护照、驾照、就业、求学等资讯，在不危及国家安全下，加快移民部的处理程序。

枫叶卡是在2002年开始实施，不少已领枫叶卡的人士，均已经到了5年换卡的期限。移民部统计，在2007年至2011年，约有60万人需要换卡，等於每年有12万人需要重新换卡。 

有关新规定可在联邦移民部网站查阅：www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/prcard.asp

Government of Canada improves Permanent Resident Card application process

Ottawa, June 16, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced two significant changes to the permanent resident card (PR card) application process.

Permanent residents applying to replace a card that is due to expire are no longer required to send in their current valid card with the application. Instead, they now only need to exchange their old card when they pick up the new card in person at a local Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. In addition, applicants for a new or replacement PR card are no longer required to obtain the signature of a guarantor or sign a statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor.

“These changes demonstrate our continued commitment to providing more convenient services to newcomers,” said Minister Finley. “We recognize that people may want to hold on to a valid card for travel purposes while waiting for the replacement. We also understand that newcomers may have difficulty finding a guarantor who has known them for at least two years.”

Allowing permanent residents to keep their valid cards while waiting for a replacement will make it easier for people to travel while their application is being processed.

Previously, permanent residents had to send in their existing PR card when they applied for a replacement. This presented an inconvenience for permanent residents who intended to travel outside Canada while their application was being processed. Permanent residents should still include their PR card with the application for a replacement if it has already expired.

Eliminating the need for a guarantor will simplify the permanent resident card application process without compromising security. For example, CIC can verify an applicant’s passport, driver’s licence, or employment and educational information to confirm their residence and identity.

The PR card confirms the holder’s permanent resident status in Canada. Permanent residents who travel outside Canada must show the card before boarding commercial transportation (plane, train, boat or bus) to return to Canada. Without a valid PR card, permanent residents would not be allowed to board commercial transportation back to Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada encourages permanent residents to check the expiry date on their PR cards and apply for a new one well before they plan to travel. The PR card was introduced in 2002, and, in most cases, is valid for a five-year period.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2008/2008-06-16.asp