Landed but do not have PR card. How long can I stay outside of Canada?

[laizii]

I applied to Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program and got my immigration visa last year. The visa expires July 1st this year. So I traveled to Vancouver for landing one month ago. During the landing interview, the immigration officer refused to apply for the PR card for me. The reason she gave me was that, since I was not living in the address I provided (I gave her my friend's address), this address can not be counted as my address. The officer also gave me an form called "address notification - permanent resident card". I was in Canada taking tours for a week then returned to my home country.

I understand I need to apply for travel document in order to return to Canada next time. And I will apply for PR card in my next visit. But is there a time before which I need to get back to Canada and apply for the PR card given this situation? I am not sure if I have explained my concerns clearly. To phrase it in another way, if I don't have a PR card and don't return to Canada until 3 years later, would I have troubles applying for a travel document and returning to Canada at the end of the third year from now?

 

[ttrajan]

Give your friend or relative address now for PR card delivery.

 

[laizii]

If I access the online address notification on the CIC website and update my address, does CIC automatically start processing my PR card or would I need to file an separate application?

 

[ttrajan]

First PR card will come automatically, just provide Canada address for card delivery. No need to apply.

 

[laizii]

Since I am not currently living in Canada and my friend is address is not my address, will this trigger some problems. Or am I just thinking too much?

 

[ttrajan]

Most of the people give friends or relative address while landing for PR card delivery. You need to stay 2 out of 5 years in Canada to retain your PR status.

 

[Tri-Cities]

Question is whta's your plan in general?

If I got it right you've been in Canada for a week and then left again, wanted CIC to send your PR card to a friends address where you didn't live, still being out of country.

You don't need a PR card at this point.

Since you're already gone, not having a PR card you'll have to apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.

Other than that it's simple, you have to meet the RO's.

 

[jc94]

Or enter by a US->Canada land border crossing, which may be easier than getting a PRTD. So I've heard.

If you return to Canada 3 years after becoming a PR you are at extremely high risk of losing your PR. They'll let you in ... but if you can't physically met the 730 day residency requirement before 5 years are up they'll likely flag your file and you'll be at risk of losing your PR.