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Travel Document: Your Opinions Would Be of Great Help

samhaq

Member
Jan 22, 2014
15
1
Hi All!

Today I applied for travel document on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. I have been away from Canada for more than 5 years. Here is what I wrote in the Humanitarian and Compassionate section of my application:

"My family was granted the status of Permanent Residents of Canada in 1992 shortly after my birth. In 2003 we were issued Permanent Resident Cards as our new travel document. In 2008, on account of demise of my Uncle, my Father had to return to Pakistan to support my Aunt and her daughter, who are both Canadian citizens. She was not unable to move back to Canada due to personal reasons. We applied for renewal of our Permanent Resident Cards however, despite our request for shortening the processing time, we were unable to receive our PRCs before our date of travel. In a correspondence, an immigration officer ensured my Father that we would be able to apply for a travel permit to return back to Canada.
In contrast to my wishes, it was not feasible for me to pursue my undergrad studies in Canada since I was a minor and was dependent on my parents. My father was of the point of view that I should remain with the family until I was of a mature age. This corroborated with the fact that I was able to secure admission in one of the top Engineering schools of Pakistan, became the reason due to which I couldn’t return to Canada prior to expiration of my PRC.
Now I have graduated from National University of Science and Technology with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. I have also been fortunate enough to secure admission in the University of Waterloo. The title of my degree program is “Masters in Entrepreneurship, Business and Technology”. Now, I will be returning to Canada to pursue the degree and would therefore like the renewal of my Permanent Resident Card.
Refusal of my request would have grave implications, not only for my career but also for my personal self. I have always considered Canada as my home. I have got friends and family there. I belief that Canadian culture has played an important role in shaping my character since I was exposed to it from an early age. I am also certain of the fact that my entrepreneurial ambitions would positively affect the Canadian economy. I am eyeing to become a part of the vibrant Kitchener-Waterloo Start-Up culture and a Permanent Resident Status would go a long way in the realization of my dreams.
Please find attached with this application the following documents:
1. Original-Permanent Resident Card.
2. Original-Landing Document.
3. Original-Health Card.
4. Original-Passports
5. Death Certificate and relevant documents of my Uncle who was a Canadian Citizen.
6. Printed Copies of my last return ticket from Canada and email from the Immigration Officer.
7. Printed Copies of the Offer Letter received from the University of Waterloo.
8. My Updated Resume.
9. Copy of my Complete Transcript of the University.
10. Copy of my degree of Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.
11. Copies of miscellaneous relevant documents show casing my activities of the last 5 years."

I want your opinion on my chances of getting the travel document. I have turned 22 this past December...
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,904
22,152
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
It's a good letter - but it's hard to say what the outcome will be. If you had applied for the TD four years ago then I would say that success was pretty much guaranteed. However since you waited until after you finished your undergrad studies - it's difficult to say what will happen. CIC may feel you're too old to use the "I was a minor held back from traveling to Canada by my parents" excuse. This argument works well when you are 18/19. Not so well at 22. Hopefully you'll get lucky and your file will be reviewed by a sympathetic officer.

Good luck. I hope things work out for you.
 

samhaq

Member
Jan 22, 2014
15
1
I really appreciate your opinion. I think I had to take a chance and apply for TD since I have heard they give an ultimatum to international students under my situation to apply for TD or loose PR status when we go for student visa, right?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,904
22,152
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Or you could have written to your local embassy / consulate to request that they officially cancel your PR status. However it makes sense to apply for the TD first to see if there's a chance it will be approved.