PR extension_is there any exception?! Please help if you know

[farshad171]

Hello, My cousin landed in Canada on May 30, 2012 as a Skilled Immigrant. Immediately after his arrival, he received his Permanent Residency card, but after three months he had to return because he was admitted in a Cardiovascular residency program in Iran. As a result, he had to reside in Iran for the duration of his residency (four years). He graduated in September 2016, but in order to receive his degree, he is obligated to spend another two years in Iran to fulfill the Commitments period. After receiving his degree, he will be able to return to Canada as a Cardiovascular specialist if his Permanent Residency could still be valid. My question is whether he can extend his Permanent Residency card after not being present in Canada for four years due to unforeseen circumstances I have explained above. Thank you for your kind assistance and forthcoming response.

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately he cannot extend his PR card under these circumstances.

It can be possible to renew PR under H&C circumstances if you have a valid reason for being outside of Canada. Studying outside of Canada is not accepted as a valid reason. If he tries applying under H&C, he will be refused and his PR status will be officially revoked.

If he wants to try to keep his PR status, he will have to wait until he's completed his time outside of Canada and is ready to return. Once he's ready to return, he will have to obtain a US visitor visa and travel to the US. He will then have to try enter Canada via a US/Canada land border using a private vehicle and hope he's not reported at the border for failing to meet the residency obligation. If he's reported, he will have to appear at a hearing and should expect to lose his PR status and be forced to leave Canada. If he makes it in without being reported, then he'll need to remain in Canada for two years straight without leaving before he'll be able to renew his PR status.