Korean wife with Expired PR + visiting Canada for 1 week

[kkaeroro]

Hello There,

I have some questions concerning our particular situation and would love to hear people's input/ Experiences.

Essentially:

I'm a Canadian Citizen
My wife's PR card expired 2 years ago.
Wife got her PR status in late 2009 and moved to Canada ( from South korea)
Early 2011 we decided to move to Korea and live there for a little bit and we've been here ( Korea) Ever since ( (over 6years now)

My Wife's PR card expired in 2015 and We haven't visited Canada since 2014 ( I think). Last time we visited Canada wife used her active PR card to get in.
We had to let the PR card Expire since we dont have an address in Canada.

SO we have flight tickets booked to visit canada for 1 week for early November. Initially, I didn't think there would be any problems for my wife coming back to Canada for a visit. I assumed she could just get into Canada with her Korean Passport ( visa exempt ) and that would be that. No issues...

However after looking into it seems like PR residents are required by law to have a valid PR card and or a PR travel document.


My Questions:

1. Is this really the Case? Must apply for a PRTD to get my wife into the country by flight?

2. How long does it take to apply for a PRTD ? generally speaking ? ( i tried looking up for time estimates on the processing time page but there's no option for PRTD documents in the drop down menu ( as far as I can tell) ? We have between Now ( August 29th ) until Oct 31 to take care of this. is 2 months enough time? Anyone has experience with doing this from Korea?

3. We have no plan to Stay in Canada long term any time soon and my wife also doesn't want to loose the PR status. All we want is to visit Canada for a Week. As I understand , this PR travel document is good for 1 entry. Is it possible to apply for these Multiple times? or is it a one time only thing? For example, say we apply for it now, we get the document, visit Canada For 1 week.. could we apply for the same thing 1 or 2 years later no problem?
Honestly, I have no idea when We'll move back to Canada. Thats why we want to keep my Wife's PR status.

For now My wife has an expired card and we have flight tickets booked for early Nov. I just want to take care of paperwork and get everything i need sorted to have a smooth short 1 week trip to Canada before coming back to Korea.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

1. Is this really the Case? Must apply for a PRTD to get my wife into the country by flight?

2. How long does it take to apply for a PRTD ? generally speaking ? ( i tried looking up for time estimates on the processing time page but there's no option for PRTD documents in the drop down menu ( as far as I can tell) ? We have between Now ( August 29th ) until Oct 31 to take care of this. is 2 months enough time? Anyone has experience with doing this from Korea?

3. We have no plan to Stay in Canada long term any time soon and my wife also doesn't want to loose the PR status. All we want is to visit Canada for a Week. As I understand , this PR travel document is good for 1 entry. Is it possible to apply for these Multiple times? or is it a one time only thing? For example, say we apply for it now, we get the document, visit Canada For 1 week.. could we apply for the same thing 1 or 2 years later no problem?

Hi

1. Yes, she must get a PRTD to fly to Canada. She will not be allowed to board the plane without one.

2. Few weeks to a month. You have plenty of time.

3. PRTDs can be multiple entry. A person can apply for a PRTD as many times as they want.

 

[kkaeroro]

da.

Hi

1. Yes, she must get a PRTD to fly to Canada. She will not be allowed to board the plane without one.

2. Few weeks to a month. You have plenty of time.

3. PRTDs can be multiple entry. A person can apply for a PRTD as many times as they want.

Gotcha ! Sounds Straight forward.
I guess time to collect info and Figure out the application process.
If this can be done in a few weeks to a month that would be perfect!

 

[Rob_TO]

1. Is this really the Case? Must apply for a PRTD to get my wife into the country by flight?

2. How long does it take to apply for a PRTD ? generally speaking ? ( i tried looking up for time estimates on the processing time page but there's no option for PRTD documents in the drop down menu ( as far as I can tell) ? We have between Now ( August 29th ) until Oct 31 to take care of this. is 2 months enough time? Anyone has experience with doing this from Korea?

3. We have no plan to Stay in Canada long term any time soon and my wife also doesn't want to loose the PR status. All we want is to visit Canada for a Week. As I understand , this PR travel document is good for 1 entry. Is it possible to apply for these Multiple times? or is it a one time only thing? For example, say we apply for it now, we get the document, visit Canada For 1 week.. could we apply for the same thing 1 or 2 years later no problem?
Honestly, I have no idea when We'll move back to Canada. Thats why we want to keep my Wife's PR status.

1 - Yes it's true. Within the past year the eTA system came into force, meaning all visa-exempt travelers need to apply for an eTA do be allowed boarding on any flight to Canada. Since Canadian PRs are not eligible for eTA, they must have either a valid PR card or PR TD in order for an airline to allow them boarding.

2 - Apply immediately. Shouldn't take more than a few weeks to a month, you can also submit proof of your upcoming travel and hopefully they will try to expedite the PR TD app. Note she will need to give her physical passport as well to the VAC (visa application centre) processing the PR TD.

In Korea there are 2 VACs to submit PR TD apps to both in Seoul. It's better/quicker if you can go in person to drop off and pick up everything.
http://www.vfsglobal.ca/Canada/korea/english/contact_us.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/travel-document/index.asp

Also make sure you submit proofs that you're married, and that you've been living together in Korea all this time.

3 - Ask for a multiple-entry PR TD. I've heard they can give PR TDs with 5-year validity, but this will be at discretion of the VAC.

 

[kkaeroro]

1 - Yes it's true. Within the past year the eTA system came into force, meaning all visa-exempt travelers need to apply for an eTA do be allowed boarding on any flight to Canada. Since Canadian PRs are not eligible for eTA, they must have either a valid PR card or PR TD in order for an airline to allow them boarding.

2 - Apply immediately. Shouldn't take more than a few weeks to a month, you can also submit proof of your upcoming travel and hopefully they will try to expedite the PR TD app. Note she will need to give her physical passport as well to the VAC (visa application centre) processing the PR TD.

In Korea there are 2 VACs to submit PR TD apps to both in Seoul. It's better/quicker if you can go in person to drop off and pick up everything.
http://www.vfsglobal.ca/Canada/korea/english/contact_us.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/travel-document/index.asp

Also make sure you submit proofs that you're married, and that you've been living together in Korea all this time.

3 - Ask for a multiple-entry PR TD. I've heard they can give PR TDs with 5-year validity, but this will be at discretion of the VAC.

Ahh Great. Thanks.
Yeah I'll take care of the paperwork this week and gather documents and go Next week to Seoul and drop things off.

Couple more questions for you. If you dont mind answering.


I just opened up the Guide/ Started to fill out the form(s)

a)#12 They ask for my permanent Address in Canada. I don't have one. Is it acceptable to Just N/A everything for canadian Address.

b)#12 at the bottom. They ask for my phone number in korea but the format they are asking for is kinda weird. I want to put in my wife's Cellphone number ( we dont have home phone) they ask for 13 digits and wont accept anything else but their format. Normally i would +82 10 aaaa-aaaa ( but thats only 12 numbers and the + doesnt count) in the end should i type it like (082)(10a) aaa-aaaa or (820)(10a) aaa-aaaa ( as in a 010-aaaa-aaaa korean cellphone number . ( they are forcing the parentheses on you. ) I know this question sounds ridiculous but both of those looks Weird to me and i feel like its forcing me to type in an incorrect phone number..... the (082)(10a) aaa-aaaa seems to make the most sense but isnt accurate either...

c) #18 They Ask for Statement of Consent / income tax information and filing history. Do I need To fill this in? At #17 it says "if your grand total is equal to or greater than 730 days , skip to declaration" I assume I can skip #18 / #19 if my days are above 730 ( which they are) No need for me to answer YES or No/ Give Wife's Sin number?


d) Since my wife has been with me in korea the whole time. i dont need to Worry about providing Canadian bank statements / rental agreements / club memberships from canada. I just need to show evidence that we've been living together in korea?

e) I need to provide Canadian citizenship proof . I assume my Passport is all they need?

f) What exactly constitutes as evidence of residential adddresses? What documents should we Show that proves we've been living together for the last 6 years at the same address? I guess what i'm getting at is how much proof do we need to show? for example just each show a bill addressed to me from 2011 and from 2017? How little/ how much do they need?

Much appreciated. Really wish their Guides had more specific information...
I'll probably give the VAC office a call this week aswell but any reply is much appreciated.

 

[Rob_TO]

Ahh Great. Thanks.
Yeah I'll take care of the paperwork this week and gather documents and go Next week to Seoul and drop things off.

Couple more questions for you. If you dont mind answering.

Note i don't actually have any experience filling out these PR TD forms, so am just guessing at some of these.
a) If you'll be visiting someone in Canada, then you can perhaps put their address and include a note that this is what you're doing.
b) You can always leave it blank, then fill it in by pen after the form is printed out
c) Note as the Canadian citizen, YOU are not filling in this form. Your PR wife is. So it's her SIN that needs to go here. However since from question 16 it will show she has more than 730 days due to living with you, the visa officer will probably not even care about her SIN since it won't be relevant
d) Yes, just proof of living with you in Korea
e) Yes
f) Anything like mail to each of you delivered to same address, any joint accounts with both your names and addresses on a bill, etc etc. I don't think you need much, just use your discretion

 

[kkaeroro]

Note i don't actually have any experience filling out these PR TD forms, so am just guessing at some of these.
a) If you'll be visiting someone in Canada, then you can perhaps put their address and include a note that this is what you're doing.
b) You can always leave it blank, then fill it in by pen after the form is printed out
c) Note as the Canadian citizen, YOU are not filling in this form. Your PR wife is. So it's her SIN that needs to go here. However since from question 16 it will show she has more than 730 days due to living with you, the visa officer will probably not even care about her SIN since it won't be relevant
d) Yes, just proof of living with you in Korea
e) Yes
f) Anything like mail to each of you delivered to same address, any joint accounts with both your names and addresses on a bill, etc etc. I don't think you need much, just use your discretion

Cool Thanks for the Reply.

I'll give the VAC a call this week.

 

[refrigerium]

Hello, my father is in a similar situation except he doesn't have a lot of time as OP above.. not sure what kind of option he has and would really appreciate your advice.

My father had received his PR status some 15 years ago, couldn't make the requirement (he was working abroad and visiting Canada a few times a year) so his PR card expired many years ago. Recently he booked his ticket to Canada for the first time in years to visit me- his departure is in less than a month (Sept. 25 to be exact). Today he tried to fill out the eTA but got denied because of his previous PR status. His only option, if I understand correctly, is to surrender his PR as PRTD is not an option given how long it has been since his PR card expired. Because he applied for eTA before giving up his PR status, IRCC is asking to submit his application to renounce his PR ONLINE. Does this mean that the 2x photos, forms to renounce PR, as well as the passport information just be scanned instead and uploaded online as a pdf? He also has the issue of not recalling the date he received his PR, information on his record of landing, etc. as he can't seem to locate any of his old documents (hoping that leaving those boxes blank won't automatically deny his application..). If he manages to submit the application to surrender his PR online this week, do you think he has any chance of having his eTA approved before September 25th?

Lastly, if he successfully renounces his PR status voluntarily - does this mean he is no longer allowed to apply for PR/citizenship in the future (my mom, a Canadian citizen who currently lives abroad with him, plans to retire in Canada, at which point he would like to join her as well).

If there is not enough time for him to give up his PR status in order to make this trip, would it be a possibility for him to fly into some place like Buffalo instead and I pick him up there? What kind of document would he need at the border - he will only have his passport with him (he recently moved and told me he can't seem to find his old passport+ PR documents anywhere, alas).

Thanks in advance for all your help...

 

[Rob_TO]

(my mom, a Canadian citizen who currently lives abroad with him, plans to retire in Canada, at which point he would like to join her as well).
.

If he has been living with his Canadian citizen spouse all this time, then he currently meets the Residency Obligation. As long as with Canadian spouse, a PR can stay outside Canada forever and still maintain their PR status. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#appendixA

So he should apply for a PR Travel Document, not renounce his status. There is a section in the PR TD form that asks about time spent living with Canadian spouse. As long as he has some proof of living together, he would get the PR TD approved and can return to Canada on that. He should include a copy of his upcoming airline tickets and request urgent processing of the PR TD. He can ask for multi-entry PR TD so he doesn't' need to go through this hassle every time he wants to visit Canada (but this is at discretion of visa officer).

If he doesn't want to go through PR TD process, then yes he can just fly to USA and cross at a land border. It's better if he has some old PR info (original landing document, expired card, etc), but even if he doesn't' CBSA can determine he's a PR and allow him entry. It may just require a trip to secondary inspection and a few hours delay.

 

[refrigerium]

If he has been living with his Canadian citizen spouse all this time, then he currently meets the Residency Obligation. As long as with Canadian spouse, a PR can stay outside Canada forever and still maintain their PR status. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#appendixA

So he should apply for a PR Travel Document, not renounce his status. There is a section in the PR TD form that asks about time spent living with Canadian spouse. As long as he has some proof of living together, he would get the PR TD approved and can return to Canada on that.

Thank you Rob_TO for your helpful reply. My mom joined him abroad a few years ago, but he was living/working abroad alone for more years before this happened. I didn't think he would be successful in getting the PRTD in his case...

Supposing that this is not an option for him, and he ends up having to renounce his PR status, does anyone know how difficult it would be for my mom to sponsor him when they decide to move back to Canada? I know this is a question that has been asked many times, but I am confused as I've read many conflicting replies (that it would be very difficult, that it is possible and shouldn't be an issue, etc). Do you know of anyone renounced his/her PR status and successfully applied for another one through their spouse later?

I think we will just have to go ahead with renouncing his PR status option, I just hope that there is enough time for this to be acknowledged and for him to be able to get the eTA before flying on the 25th of Sept. Getting in through the US, had we known about this before, might have been an option but he will need to do this every time he wants to visit so that is probably out of question..

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thank you Rob_TO for your helpful reply. My mom joined him abroad a few years ago, but he was living/working abroad alone for more years before this happened. I didn't think he would be successful in getting the PRTD in his case...

If she's lived with him for minimum 2 years, then he probably meets the Residency Obligation again. Anything less than 2 years, and he would not meet the RO right now.

Technically it's the PR that should be accompanying the citizen abroad, not the citizen who's joining the PR already living abroad. Although I'm not sure how picky they are with this, they may not care as long as they can show cohabitation for past 2 years.

Supposing that this is not an option for him, and he ends up having to renounce his PR status, does anyone know how difficult it would be for my mom to sponsor him when they decide to move back to Canada?

It will not be difficult, and the renouncing would have no effect on future PR app. She would just fill in a regular family class app to sponsor a spouse when the time comes. Processing should take the usual 6-12 months.

I think we will just have to go ahead with renouncing his PR status option, I just hope that there is enough time for this to be acknowledged and for him to be able to get the eTA before flying on the 25th of Sept. Getting in through the US, had we known about this before, might have been an option but he will need to do this every time he wants to visit so that is probably out of question..

I have no idea how long it takes to renounce PR status, make it official in the IRCC database, and then be able to get an approved eTA. I am thinking 1 month for all this may not be possible just due to the bureaucratic steps involved. However all you can do is try and see what happens. I would be prepared though to re-schedule his flight to a later date if all this is still being sorted out.