Validity of PR status

[bharathg]

I have just immigrated to Canada in Oct 2008. I chose this month because of the time limit in the visa which stated that I must make my entry before Feb09. I am running a business in India and plan to wind up my business before moving in permanentlt to Canada.

1. I expect to certainly met the 2 year residence reqt in Canada in the next 5 years as stipulated. However, I still need to go on and off to India during the next 2 years, will this be allowed ?

2. My daughter (who also has a visa)similarly needs to finish her final 1.5 years of high school in India. If it is so desired, can she still do that after which she moves to Canada and starts her Undergrad studies ?

3. What is the primary document required to enter Canada in such situations ? Is it the PR Card ? I ask because, the visa in passport which said Immigrant Visa ( single entry) is struck off on landing. Is a Return Entry Permit required ?

Thanks

[Leon]

1. You have to live in Canada for total 730 days in any 5 year period.  If you planned to stay in Canada for 2 whole years, then go away for 3, you will have to stay in Canada every day for 2 years.  If you go to India for a month, you will have to make up for it by coming back to Canada for a month during the 3 years you are gone.  Or if you planned to start off your PR as being in India for 3 years, then coming back for 2, if you are gone for 3 years to the day, you can not leave 1 day for the next 2.  If you are gone for 2.5 years, you can take total 6 months away for the next 2.5 etc.

2. If your daughter got her PR and came to Canada within the time limit to activate, she can go back to India and finish high school, then move to Canada again as long as she is not away from Canada for more than total 1095 days out of any 5 year period.

3. When you land, you will give immigration an address to mail your PR card to.  If you don't have an address, you can ask them to hold it until you let them know.  It takes 4-6 weeks to get it in the mail.  If you can not stay that long, if you can give an address of someone you know to take the card and fed ex it to you in India, you will have the card with you when you come to Canada again.  The correct travel document for a PR is the PR card, you do not need any other visa.

[Petrus]

Hello guys! Nice forum, and nice people.

I'm also moving to Canada in a few weeks time, from Lisbon, Portugal. I'm in my 30's, worried sick about how's life going to be (getting a job, a place to stay, leave family behind, etc). I thought it would be a fantastic experience, full of things to look for, and I've rarely been more depressed! Anyways! Sorry to ask you about this again, but this stuff is really complicated for a newcomer who has no experience whatsoever with immigration issues.

I'm landing in Canada in early November. I'm planning to stay until a I receive my PR card. As I have a lot of unfinished business at home, I will have to return for a while (3, 4 months). Will I have a problem to re-enter Canada without a PR card (as an European citizen, I dont need a Visa to travel to Canada as a tourist, but my Immigrant Visa will be there in the passport). Imagine, I leave in December and return in April or May. Will they ask why I've been away so long, for example? Will it be different if I return with, or without, a PR card? Do I need a travel document issued from a Canadian Embassy if I'm away for six months for example?

I'll be glad for any help or suggestion.

All the best for you

[Leon]

As a PR, you are supposed to have your PR card when you arrive in Canada, you are not supposed to come in as a tourist.  Some people if they have friends or family here give their address to get their PR card mailed to and have their friends fed ex it to them where they are staying.  You have to ask about it when you land.  Maybe you can ask them to hold your PR card until you come back.  Or ask the embassy before you go.  Can you delay your landing until you have your stuff taken care of?

[Petrus]

As a PR, you are supposed to have your PR card when you arrive in Canada, you are not supposed to come in as a tourist.  Some people if they have friends or family here give their address to get their PR card mailed to and have their friends fed ex it to them where they are staying.  You have to ask about it when you land.  Maybe you can ask them to hold your PR card until you come back.  Or ask the embassy before you go.  Can you delay your landing until you have your stuff taken care of?

Thanks for the interest Leon - I've read your messages and you're a great help to the forum. Actually, I can't delay my landing any longer (I've been doing it for the past months). The visa expires on the 15h November, so I'll have to be there by then. I suppose I'll ask someone there. I only intend to leave for a few months, until I resolve some unfinised businesses here. Regards