Can I withdraw PR application when PR obligation appeal hearing is pending

[Leon]

Just to clarify, I lived in Canada for five years straight without much traveling outside. My Wife and Kids are in Canada and its my home there. The only reason for being out was work and if you know 2009 and Nortel situation, it was hard not to take a job where ever. I was taking steps based on the warnings given and as I said earlier, I had an interview scheduled during the trip that started this whole process. So Ironically, I got the offer and then this happened. Just bad timing.

The way the residency requirements are set up, you have to meet them for any rolling 5 year period so even if you'd stayed in Canada 30 years straight without any travelling, if you leave for 3 years and a day, you put your PR at risk. There are two ways to get around this. One is getting citizenship. The other is for your wife to get citizenship and then accompany you outside Canada which would protect your PR.