Met my RO after a decade outside of Canada. What now?

[Travelbot]

Hello,
I entered the country as a landed immigrant 25 years ago and my parents took me away from Canada a few months in Canada so I never had any RO in Canada. Following the advice of this forum I crossed the border 2 years ago through the land and never got reported. I was let in and despite having not having any SIN or health insurance I managed to live through COVID and stayed until my RO was met this month. Now the question is, what now? Do I just apply for a PR renewal card straight away? Do I wait a few months just in case I don't meet my RO?

Either way I'd like to thank the people of this forum for their advice, I had some incredible hardship in my home country and now I'm very close to meeting my legal obligations as a Canadian PR.

 

[armoured]

Now the question is, what now? Do I just apply for a PR renewal card straight away? Do I wait a few months just in case I don't meet my RO?

Start collecting the information you need and documents, etc. I think in your somewhat unusual case you want to make sure the documentation and applications are as strong as possible.

Personally I think that yes, waiting a few months to remove any doubt is advisable. But note: if you have been in Canada for two years straight and have not left, then you have met your RO. Since you've somehow lived without SIN or health insurance, you may lack some of normal documentation and 'transactions' with govt that would make it more clearcut - such as paying taxes. (Have you been working? How have you survived?)

Separately - you really should see about getting a SIN and applying for healthcare. I know that in some respects you need the PR card to get the others but I do not know details and the one may help the other.

Obviously a lawyer may cost money, but this is a somewhat unusual situation. If you can afford a lawyer or get legal aid, it may be worth the effort/cost.

This may be particularly important if you wish to do anything like leave the country (my short advice: don't until everything sorted).

On the surface, you are a PR, you are in compliance with RO, and if you apply, you should get PR card to confirm status. But handling properly may make your life easier (work/health care) and hopefully ensure PR card a bit quicker.

 

[Wolfpmd3]

Hello,
I entered the country as a landed immigrant 25 years ago and my parents took me away from Canada a few months in Canada so I never had any RO in Canada. Following the advice of this forum I crossed the border 2 years ago through the land and never got reported. I was let in and despite having not having any SIN or health insurance I managed to live through COVID and stayed until my RO was met this month. Now the question is, what now? Do I just apply for a PR renewal card straight away? Do I wait a few months just in case I don't meet my RO?

Either way I'd like to thank the people of this forum for their advice, I had some incredible hardship in my home country and now I'm very close to meeting my legal obligations as a Canadian PR.

Yes, apply for a PR card right away and get your life together.

Based on what I just read, basically you just need your passport for this application. Look for form: imm5644. They should be able based on it to determine when you came back in the country and if you have left during that period.