Current Pandemic and future PR card renewal issue

[mmahmud]

Hi, I got my PR card in 2018 but I had to come back to my country. I was planning to go back in 2020 however pandemic changed everything. Now that Canada is open again, I am planning to go back. However, I am still not fully vaccinated and the vaccine I will get will be probably Sinopharm which is not still accepted in Canada. With the current status of the world, I am thinking of flying back their next year in 2022 when things hopefully will be better (sincerely hope so). But there comes the issues.

1. If I go back in 2022, I won't fulfill the 2 years in 5 years residency obligation. How will that affect my PR card renewal application? Is there any change in that policy due to pandemic situation?
2. Since I will be 3+ years out of Canada after getting PR, will there be any problems or issues entering Canada (even if I fly back now)?

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

Hi, I got my PR card in 2018 but I had to come back to my country. I was planning to go back in 2020 however pandemic changed everything. Now that Canada is open again, I am planning to go back. However, I am still not fully vaccinated and the vaccine I will get will be probably Sinopharm which is not still accepted in Canada. With the current status of the world, I am thinking of flying back their next year in 2022 when things hopefully will be better (sincerely hope so). But there comes the issues.

1. If I go back in 2022, I won't fulfill the 2 years in 5 years residency obligation. How will that affect my PR card renewal application? Is there any change in that policy due to pandemic situation?
2. Since I will be 3+ years out of Canada after getting PR, will there be any problems or issues entering Canada (even if I fly back now)?

Thanks.

1. There is no change in the policy due to the pandemic. Once you return to Canada, you will need to remain in Canada for two straight years to meet the residency requirement and qualify to renew your PR card.
2. That's impossible for any of us to say. There might be or there might not be. That will be up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border. The longer you remain outside of Canada the greater the chances generally are that you will be reported for failing to meet the residency obligation. If you are reported by the CBSA officer, you will be allowed to enter Canada but will have to appear at a hearing to argue why you should be allowed to keep your PR status without meeting the residency requirement.

Note that the residency obligation is calculated from the date you landed and became a PR (not using your PR card date).

 

[mmahmud]

1. There is no change in the policy due to the pandemic. Once you return to Canada, you will need to remain in Canada for two straight years to meet the residency requirement and qualify to renew your PR card.
2. That's impossible for any of us to say. There might be or there might not be. That will be up to the CBSA officer you encounter at the border. The longer you remain outside of Canada the greater the chances generally are that you will be reported for failing to meet the residency obligation. If you are reported by the CBSA officer, you will be allowed to enter Canada but will have to appear at a hearing to argue why you should be allowed to keep your PR status without meeting the residency requirement.

Note that the residency obligation is calculated from the date you landed and became a PR (not using your PR card date).

Got it. Thanks for your quick reply.

 

[canuck78]

Hi, I got my PR card in 2018 but I had to come back to my country. I was planning to go back in 2020 however pandemic changed everything. Now that Canada is open again, I am planning to go back. However, I am still not fully vaccinated and the vaccine I will get will be probably Sinopharm which is not still accepted in Canada. With the current status of the world, I am thinking of flying back their next year in 2022 when things hopefully will be better (sincerely hope so). But there comes the issues.

1. If I go back in 2022, I won't fulfill the 2 years in 5 years residency obligation. How will that affect my PR card renewal application? Is there any change in that policy due to pandemic situation?
2. Since I will be 3+ years out of Canada after getting PR, will there be any problems or issues entering Canada (even if I fly back now)?

Thanks.

Canada has never been actually “closed”. PRs have been able to return throughout the pandemic.