Got R-1 visa. What's next?

[Kaba16]

I recently got my R-1 visa after applying on H&C grounds(minor at time of return and have turned 18 now).
It is a multiple entries visa and valid for up to two years.
What I want to know:-
1. When should I apply for my pr card ? (I did not meet my residency obligation of 2 years when I was there in 2006)
2. Is there any restriction on where I would have to live in upon my return to Canada? (I received PR in Winnipeg)
Any other tips would be sincerely appreciated as well

 

[Rob_TO]

I recently got my R-1 visa after applying on H&C grounds(minor at time of return and have turned 18 now).
It is a multiple entries visa and valid for up to two years.
What I want to know:-
1. When should I apply for my pr card ? (I did not meet my residency obligation of 2 years when I was there in 2006)
2. Is there any restriction on where I would have to live in upon my return to Canada? (I received PR in Winnipeg)
Any other tips would be sincerely appreciated as well

Are you sure it's R-1 and not RC-1? R-1 doesn't incorporate any H&C finding into the PR TD.

A31(3) Travel document “R-1” counterfoil coding: Permanent residents, without a permanent resident card, who comply with the residency obligation: In those cases where an overseas applicant for an A31(3) travel document is issued with an A31(3) travel document, and an officer overseas has made a determination that the permanent resident has complied with the residency obligation (A31(3)(a)), the counterfoil coding is “R-1.”

A31(3) Travel document “RC-1” counterfoil coding: Permanent residents without a permanent resident card / positive H&C case: In those cases where an overseas applicant for an A31(3) travel document is issued with an A31(3) travel document, and an officer overseas has made a determination under A28(2)(c) on the basis of H&C considerations, counterfoil coding is “RC-1.”

R-1 simply means at time of PR TD, the visa officer felt you complied with the RO. It's up to you if you wanted to attempt renewal of your PR card. If it was RC-1 coding, then visa officer renewing PR card would see the recent positive H&C case and should renew PR card on same grounds. However if positive H&C case is not on your record then any visa officer renewing PR card could be at their discretion whether to renew PR card, or instead reject H&C case and start process to terminate your PR status.

The safest option is probably to wait inside Canada 2 straight years and only then apply for PR card renewal.
However if you can't wait this long, then you can attempt to renew PR card on same H&C basis and hope the recent R-1 PR TD plays a factor in getting it approved. But there is really no guarantee what will happen in this case.

While in Canada, you can live anywhere you want. Where you first got PR status is completely irrelevant.

 

[Kaba16]

Are you sure it's R-1 and not RC-1?

Yes, it is surely R-1 visa, multiple entries and valid for 2 years.

R-1 simply means at time of PR TD, the visa officer felt you complied with the RO. It's up to you if you wanted to attempt renewal of your PR card. If it was RC-1 coding, then visa officer renewing PR card would see the recent positive H&C case and should renew PR card on same grounds. However if positive H&C case is not on your record then any visa officer renewing PR card could be at their discretion whether to renew PR card, or instead reject H&C case and start process to terminate your PR status.

The safest option is probably to wait inside Canada 2 straight years and only then apply for PR card renewal.

Should I bother to ask any authority at airport upon my landing in Canada about my PR card renewal?

While in Canada, you can live anywhere you want. Where you first got PR status is completely irrelevant.

I want to confirm, I can stay and study any other city than Winnipeg in Canada? Are there any guidelines or something that makes sure of it?

I also want to know that whether I can make it for September admissions in time? And when should I leave for Canada?
I scored pretty low (2.3 GPA) in my last academic qualification, would it cause me a lot of trouble?

 

[Rob_TO]

Should I bother to ask any authority at airport upon my landing in Canada about my PR card renewal?

CBSA won't have any input into your PR card renewal, that will be at discretion of the visa officer who actually processes your PR card renewal if you wanted to attempt it.

I want to confirm, I can stay and study any other city than Winnipeg in Canada? Are there any guidelines or something that makes sure of it?

PRs can live anywhere they want in Canada. I don't understand why you think you need to return to the same city. There are no guidelines because any such rule does not exist.

I also want to know that whether I can make it for September admissions in time? And when should I leave for Canada?
I scored pretty low (2.3 GPA) in my last academic qualification, would it cause me a lot of trouble?

This is up to the school you want to apply to, best to ask them directly.

 

[Kaba16]

Alright, thank you for this information.
I would post in this same thread if I need any help again.

 

[rish888]

To answer your questions:

1) Safest Option: After 2 years, once you are in compliance with your residency obligation. Stay in Canada as much as possible, ideally for 2 years straight. In case you need to leave for an emergency, don't loose your passport as that contains your PRTD which you need to return to Canada.

2) No. Your right to live anywhere in Canada is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

3) In regards to universities, the deadline for fall (September) admission has probably passed in most if not all schools. I think you should still be able to apply for the winter (January) semester. Check the deadlines page of the universities you are considering. As for your GPA, look at the average grades of the universities you want to go to and apply accordingly.

If you have a home/family in Canada you could move tomorrow. If your move is tied to university then a little while before classes start would be ideal.

Also: Probably best not to draw unnecessary attention to yourself at airport immigration by asking questions.

.

 

[Kaba16]

To answer your questions:

1) Safest Option: After 2 years, once you are in compliance with your residency obligation. Stay in Canada as much as possible, ideally for 2 years straight. In case you need to leave for an emergency, don't loose your passport as that contains your PRTD which you need to return to Canada.

2) No. Your right to live anywhere in Canada is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

3) In regards to universities, the deadline for fall (September) admission has probably passed in most if not all schools. I think you should still be able to apply for the winter (January) semester. Check the deadlines page of the universities you are considering. As for your GPA, look at the average grades of the universities you want to go to and apply accordingly.

If you have a home/family in Canada you could move tomorrow. If your move is tied to university then a little while before classes start would be ideal.

Also: Probably best not to draw unnecessary attention to yourself at airport immigration by asking questions.

.

Ty for your advice @rish888

 

[mahtab54]

I recently got my R-1 visa after applying on H&C grounds(minor at time of return and have turned 18 now).
It is a multiple entries visa and valid for up to two years.
What I want to know:-
1. When should I apply for my pr card ? (I did not meet my residency obligation of 2 years when I was there in 2006)
2. Is there any restriction on where I would have to live in upon my return to Canada? (I received PR in Winnipeg)
Any other tips would be sincerely appreciated as well

Dear Kaba 16,
I have the same issue as you have. I have applied for PRTD on H&C ground and receive R-1 visa (single-a 6 -month validity). Please let me to know, if you apply for a new PR card. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Kaba16]

Hi Mahtab,

Yes, I did apply for a new PR card and got it already. Please let me know if you have any further inquiries, I'd be more than happy to help you.

 

[mahtab54]

Hi Mahtab,

Yes, I did apply for a new PR card and got it already. Please let me know if you have any further inquiries, I'd be more than happy to help you.

Dear Kaba,
Thank you for your reply. Please let me to know, how long it took?
Which documents did you submit for new PR Card?
and How did you present that your Visa is RC-1 not R-1?
Thank you in advance for your reply.

 

[Kaba16]

1. It took about a month.
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace.html
3. I have an R-1 visa not RC-1

I hope it helps

 

[mahtab54]

1. It took about a month.
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace.html
3. I have an R-1 visa not RC-1

I hope it helps

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[mahtab54]

Thank you very much for your reply.

1. It took about a month.
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace.html
3. I have an R-1 visa not RC-1

I hope it helps

Did you give fingerprint and photo bio-metric as well?

 

[mahtab54]

1. It took about a month.
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-replace.html
3. I have an R-1 visa not RC-1

I hope it helps

Did you give fingerprint and photo bio-metric as well?
and the new PR card will expire in 5 years?

thank you

 

[Kaba16]

Did you give fingerprint and photo bio-metric as well?
and the new PR card will expire in 5 years?

thank you

Yes, new PR card gonna expire in 5 years and for the fingerprints and bio-metric, rules keep on changing, I did not but you might have to.