Looking for Advice on Returning to Canada as a PR

[canadatest06]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for anyone who has entered Canada on their PR status with only a few months left on their PR card or knows someone who has.

Here’s my situation: I entered Canada on PR status in August 2020, stayed for about a week, and came back. Post that, lived and worked in Canada for around 4 months in 2023. My PR card is expiring in August 2025, and I haven’t met the 730-day residency requirement over the last 5 years (have stayed for a total of 120 days till now).

I’m wondering if I can still return to Canada without any issues, and what challenges I might face at the border or during PR card renewal. Any insights, advice, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I'm planing to go on 1st January, 2025.

Thank you!

 

[Efgan]

Hi,
I am at the same situation as you. What you decided to do? While you are return to Canada, CbSA officer may report you, to revoke your PR

 

[armoured]

I encourage both of you to read other threads in this forum, there are many, including where others recount their experiences (although more where people ask and they're given general advice). It usually boils down to the same essential points:
-if you are returning with a valid PR card but out of compliance, there is a somewhat decent chance you will be let in with not much more than a warning.
-you could be reported for non-compliance, in which case it starts the process of revoking PR status (you can appeal).
-either way you will be admitted and can work.
-no-one can tell you what the chances are.

-if admitted without being reported formally:
-you are in Canada legally, you can work and get various docs updated (eg driver's license, apply for new health card, etc). You should do that right away because some cannot be done with an expired PR card (details vary by province).

-you do NOT need a valid PR card to live in Canada. You are not in Canada illegally. Your PR status does not expire because your card did.
-you should NOT apply to renew your PR card until you are back in compliance, nor leave Canada until back in compliance.
-if you do, you risk your PR status again. You could lose it.

These are the generalities, but again, the part no one can answer is what will happen at the border.

The border officers MUST listen to reasons you provide as to why you could not return earlier. Those reasons may or may not be convincing to them. But they may also just be lenient because they have other priorities.