PRC renewal

[marco12]

I hope that someone could help me with advice regarding my situation. I am a permanent resident and in the last 27 months I have been continuously in Canada since the time I have got a job. Prior to that I had lived outside of Canada ‘on and off’, because of was not able to find a job here. My wife and my 10 year old daughter lived in Canada supported by wife’s relatives who live in Toronto. I did not meet PR requirements by that time and I was not able to renew PRC. I have two passports, one is a passport from my home country and I have another visa exempt passport. I entered the country three times to see my family with my second visa exempt passport something like a foreign citizen visiting Canada. I feel bad about that, but I did not have a choice and it was the way to not be on a welfare in Canada. I am now preparing to apply for PRC renewal but I am very afraid that I could be penalized when immigration officer gets a report from the CBSA and would realize that I was entering country with a foreign passport instead of with PRC. Otherwise, I am meeting residency criteria now.

 

[ttrajan]

If you stayed more than 2 years in Canada in the last 5 years, then no problem to renew your PR card.

 

[marco12]

Thank you. Is it possible to get renewal with no problem even if they would find out that I was entering country without PRC, practically as a visitor from abroad? I hope that they will not take it as a serious issue.

 

[ttrajan]

Yes. How long did you stay in Canada in the last 5 years?

 

[marco12]

I have been in Canada continuously for 27 months.

 

[marco12]

I have been in Canada for more than 2 years in the last 5 year period and I am meeting residency requirement now, but I am wondering if it is possible that CIC may initiate a detailed investigation about the previous 2.5 years in terms of being outside of Canada with expired PRC and entering Canada with a visa exempt passport. I heard that some people were asked to provide exit/entry record issued by other countries.

 

[Leon]

CIC rules state that if they didn't catch you at a time that you did not meet the RO, they have lost their chance because they may only consider the 5 year period immediately before the date of them examining your status. Hence if you apply for a PR card now, they can only look at the past 5 years.

 

[Almost_Canadian]

You mentioned that you have 2 passports- one home country and one visa waiver country. When you apply for PR renewal, you need to mention both passports. Then there is no worry for you if in case they send your documents for secondary review.
As others have said, you are currently in compliance of RO so your PR card will be renewed. I just thought I'd warn you to be truthful and upfront about your documents.
All the best

 

[marco12]

Thank you for this advice. Yes, I will send a copy of both passports. Then, they will see in my visa exempt passport the Canadian entry stamps and realize that I used three times a foreign passport instead of my expired PRC and this is a reason why I am worrying.