Seeking Advice: PR Card Expiring Soon, Limited Stay in Canada

[rajanshah176]

Hello everyone,

I hope you're doing well. I have a situation regarding my PR card, and I'm seeking some advice.

My PR card is set to expire in February 2024. However, since obtaining PR status, I've been primarily in the USA due to an approved H1B visa, and I haven't fulfilled the 730-day stay obligation in Canada over the last 5 years.

Next July, I plan to visit Canada for tourism and to meet friends. Considering my circumstances, I'm unsure about the best course of action:

1. Should I apply for a PRTD?
2. Is it advisable to apply for a visitor visa?
3. Would it make sense to renounce my PR first and then apply for a visitor visa?

I appreciate any insights or guidance you can provide. Thank you!

 

[steaky]

Hello everyone,

I hope you're doing well. I have a situation regarding my PR card, and I'm seeking some advice.

My PR card is set to expire in February 2024. However, since obtaining PR status, I've been primarily in the USA due to an approved H1B visa, and I haven't fulfilled the 730-day stay obligation in Canada over the last 5 years.

Next July, I plan to visit Canada for tourism and to meet friends. Considering my circumstances, I'm unsure about the best course of action:

1. Should I apply for a PRTD?
2. Is it advisable to apply for a visitor visa?
3. Would it make sense to renounce my PR first and then apply for a visitor visa?

I appreciate any insights or guidance you can provide. Thank you!

If you don't plan to live in Canada, just let your PR card expired.


As for your plan to visit Canada for tourism, you can either do one of the following:

1) You can renounce your PR now, so that you can apply visitor visa later
2) With your expired PR card, you can enter Canada in July via a land border.

 

[Ponga]

1. Without a valid PR Card you may not be able to return to Canada via a commercial carrier (US passport holders appear to be the exception to that rule, but still not an absolute guarantee). Unless you are returning to Canada in a personal vehicle (or crossing by foot) you would likely need a PRTD, but...you may not be approved because you have not met (nor can you meet) the Residency Obligation to maintain your PR status. As @steaky mentioned, your expired card will allow you to `enter' Canada (when encountering a CBSA officer), but it's the `being transported to Canada via a commercial carrier' part that will be your sticking point.

The card expires, but the status does not. It can (in cases like yours) be revoked for non-compliance of the R.O., however. In any event, you will be allowed to enter, but may be issued a 44(1) report from CBSA that would be the first step in your status being revoked.

2. No, because as a PR you are not eligible for a visitor visa. You are no longer deemed to be a visitor when entering Canada.

3. If you plan to continue to live in the U.S., it does make sense.

 

[rajanshah176]

Appreciate your response, are there any other options that I can try?
I will be taking a cruise to Canada in July.

 

[scylla]

Appreciate your response, are there any other options that I can try?
I will be taking a cruise to Canada in July.

- Applying for a new PR card won't work since you don't meet the residency requirement.
- For similar reasons, a PRTD will not be possible.
- You can drive across the border with an expired PR card and you will be allowed into Canada. However you will then have a problem getting on the cruise since a cruise requires you to have a valid Canadian visa or other valid Canadian status identity document in order to be able to sail. Your PR card will be expired by then. If that's all you have, you should expect the cruise line will deny boarding.
- Only option I see if you want to take the cruise in July is to renounce your PR status and apply for a TRV.

 

[armoured]

Appreciate your response, are there any other options that I can try?
I will be taking a cruise to Canada in July.

As @scylla explained, a cruise will have the same requirements as a flight to Canada (usually anyway).

I'd also note: will your cruise cross the border/put in to ports in Canada/USA in/out of order? Note that crossing the border one time is one thing, doing so several times another.

 

[rajanshah176]

As @scylla explained, a cruise will have the same requirements as a flight to Canada (usually anyway).

I'd also note: will your cruise cross the border/put in to ports in Canada/USA in/out of order? Note that crossing the border one time is one thing, doing so several times another.

It is a cruise starting from Seattle going to Alaska and they have one port stop in Victoria BC.

All in all from what I read above I think my only option is to renounce my PR and then apply for a visitor visa.

 

[scylla]

It is a cruise starting from Seattle going to Alaska and they have one port stop in Victoria BC.

All in all from what I read above I think my only option is to renounce my PR and then apply for a visitor visa.

Check with the cruise line. To the best of my knowledge you need one of the following to board the cruise:

- Valid Canadian passport
- Valid Canadian PR card
- Valid US passport
- Valid US green card
- Valid TRV
- Valid eTA

You can't get a valid PR card since you don't meet RO and you can't get a TRV without first renouncing your PR status. So IMO renouncing PR and getting a TRV is your only option.

 

[armoured]

You can't get a valid PR card since you don't meet RO and you can't get a TRV without first renouncing your PR status. So IMO renouncing PR and getting a TRV is your only option.

I believe a PRTD - which would look like a valid visa to the cruise line - would also work as well.

Of course, chances are would be denied without good H&C reasons, but it is an option to apply. (IMHO probably doesn't make sense in this case, but putting a pin in it should others read this thread)

 

[scylla]

I believe a PRTD - which would look like a valid visa to the cruise line - would also work as well.

Of course, chances are would be denied without good H&C reasons, but it is an option to apply. (IMHO probably doesn't make sense in this case, but putting a pin in it should others read this thread)

In this case I think a multiple entry PRTD would likely be needed.

But agreed the PRTD route really isn't realistic at this point given it would need to be H&C, the related processing times, etc.

 

[rajanshah176]

I express my gratitude for the valuable contributions provided by all participants in this discussion.

It is my sincere expectation that this thread will serve as a helpful resource for individuals encountering similar circumstances.

After careful consideration, I have decided not to pursue the application for a PRTD, as potential denial could introduce further complications. Instead, I have opted to initiate the process of renouncing my PR status and subsequently apply for a visitor visa.

 

[rajanshah176]

One last question, does anyone know how long it takes to get confirmation of my PR renounce?
Also should I wait for time after official renounce and then apply for visitor visa?

 

[canuck78]

One last question, does anyone know how long it takes to get confirmation of my PR renounce?
Also should I wait for time after official renounce and then apply for visitor visa?

Not something people regularly apply for but would give yourself 2+ months at the very least.