Applying for immigration but spouse has PR card

[ramisalame]

Hello,

I have a Canadian PR card that expires July 2017, but I haven't lived in Canada since Jan 2013, and only stayed 9 months anyway. Since then, I left Canada, married (with 1 child), and am now considering returning, but cannot return before the expiry of my PR card due to financial obligations.

Questions: I want to apply for immigration, and my wife is the better candidate on paper. Should I renounce my PR card before we apply? Does my PR card give us any advantage/disadvantage in the application process?

Thank you

 

[zardoz]

Hello,

I have a Canadian PR card that expires July 2017, but I haven't lived in Canada since Jan 2013, and only stayed 9 months anyway. Since then, I left Canada, married (with 1 child), and am now considering returning, but cannot return before the expiry of my PR card due to financial obligations.

Questions: I want to apply for immigration, and my wife is the better candidate on paper. Should I renounce my PR card before we apply? Does my PR card give us any advantage/disadvantage in the application process?

Thank you

You can not apply while you are a PR. They will simply return the application. You will need to renounce PR status before reapplying. Your existing PR status will give you no advantage/disadvantage.

Your wife could apply on her own and if granted PR status, you could then renounce your own PR status. Then she could move to Canada without you and sponsor you under Family Class.