Former child PR

[libran88]

Hello everyone
I believe my case is a bit complex. My entire family received their permanent residence back in 1997. I was 9 years old back then. We landed and we're on and off in Canada. Didn't stay too long there though. Due to some unwise decisions taken by my father, we never went back to Canada after leaving in 2002.
Officially the permanent residence was not revoked.
I am now 28, independent and working professional. I would like to know what would be the repercussions if I tried to apply for PR again? I don't have any landing document with me.

 

[scylla]

It's actually a pretty-straight forward case depending on what you're looking to do. You can certainly apply for PR again from scratch (if that's what you're asking). You will need to officially renounce your old PR status first.

If you're asking about applying for a PR card instead (and are assuming you can keep your old PR status) - this is more complex. In order to do that, you'd need to re-enter Canada without being reported at the border for failing to meet the residency obligation and would then need to live in Canada for 2 years before being able to apply for a PR card.

 

[libran88]

It's actually a pretty-straight forward case depending on what you're looking to do. You can certainly apply for PR again from scratch (if that's what you're asking). You will need to officially renounce your old PR status first.

If you're asking about applying for a PR card instead (and are assuming you can keep your old PR status) - this is more complex. In order to do that, you'd need to re-enter Canada without being reported at the border for failing to meet the residency obligation and would then need to live in Canada for 2 years before being able to apply for a PR card.

I don't have any document that allows me to re enter Canada as a permanent resident.

 

[scylla]

Do you still have your original landing document from when you became a PR?

Where are you from? (What citizenship do you hold?)

 

[libran88]

Do you still have your original landing document from when you became a PR?

Where are you from? (What citizenship do you hold?)

I am a Pakistani citizen living in Malaysia
The landing document is with my father in Pakistan.

 

[scylla]

If you can get your landing document and also obtain a US visitor visa - then you can fly to the US and attempt to enter Canada by land in a private vehicle. If you're able to enter without being reported - then you can remain in Canada for two years straight and then apply to renew your PR card.

If the above isn't doable - then you need to formally renounce your PR status and apply again from scratch.

 

[libran88]

If you can get your landing document and also obtain a US visitor visa - then you can fly to the US and attempt to enter Canada by land in a private vehicle. If you're able to enter without being reported - then you can remain in Canada for two years straight and then apply to renew your PR card.

If the above isn't doable - then you need to formally renounce your PR status and apply again from scratch.

The problem here is that we came back before the applying for the PR cards (they were launched in the early 2000s) So basically the landing form is the only thing that proves that I used to be a permanent resident. Will that landing form work as a travel document?

 

[scylla]

Yes - I realize you would have no PR card.

You can use the landing document to try to enter Canada by land (you cannot fly into Canada). They key question is what will happen when you re-enter (none of us can answer this question since it all depends on the CBSA officer you encounter). If you're not reported, you remain in Canada for 2 years without leaving and then apply for a PR card. If you're reported (chances are likely on the higher side you'll be reported), then you'll have to appear at a hearing and will end up losing your PR status (and will have to leave Canada).

So up to you if you want to give it a try.

Be aware that if you're able to enter without being reported, it may be difficult to do certain things during those two years (e.g. get a health care card) since you'll only have the old landing document and no PR card.

You can certainly give it a go.

Note: I'm also assuming you have no spouse / children. If you do, you should be aware that you won't be able to sponsor them for PR until the two years have passed.

 

[libran88]

Yes - I realize you would have no PR card.

You can use the landing document to try to enter Canada by land (you cannot fly into Canada). They key question is what will happen when you re-enter (none of us can answer this question since it all depends on the CBSA officer you encounter). If you're not reported, you remain in Canada for 2 years without leaving and then apply for a PR card. If you're reported (chances are likely on the higher side you'll be reported), then you'll have to appear at a hearing and will end up losing your PR status (and will have to leave Canada).

So up to you if you want to give it a try.

Be aware that if you're able to enter without being reported, it may be difficult to do certain things during those two years (e.g. get a health care card) since you'll only have the old landing document and no PR card.

You can certainly give it a go.

Note: I'm also assuming you have no spouse / children. If you do, you should be aware that you won't be able to sponsor them for PR until the two years have passed.

This seems like a very risky approach. I would rather voluntarily renounce and then apply again on my own credentials via Express Entry as I am eligible for it as per the online tool on the CIC website. How does this sound?
I'm not rushing to go back to Canada but I want things to go smooth and I don't face issues for the mistakes my father did.

 

[scylla]

That sounds like the better option. Have you calculated your points under Express Entry? If you have 420 points or more - you should be good to go and can expect to be selected once you complete a profile.

 

[libran88]

That sounds like the better option. Have you calculated your points under Express Entry? If you have 420 points or more - you should be good to go and can expect to be selected once you complete a profile.

Yes thankfully even without a job offer I exceed the points count if 420.

Thank you so much for your guidance