Hi!
Apply as a Skilled Worker:
You can always do this. The fact that you did not maintain your PR status will not be an obstacle to an application under the Skilled Worker Federal Program as long as you still meet all of the requirements for that program.
See if any of the Options outlined in Parts A and B from the pdf document link below apply to you. If not, then you can always use the alternative of reinstating your status based on Part C: Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, which is always a heavier burden of proof from the applicant.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds:
"If you are unable to meet the residency obligation, we will consider any compelling humanitarian and compassionate factors in your individual circumstances that may justify the retention of permanent resident status. We will notify you if this additional assessment is required."
Unfortunately, I do not know the success rate of PRs with expired cards who got reinstated under Compassionate grounds.
Re-entering Canada:
If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, then you can travel back to Canada without the need for a visa, but you will have to pass a battery of questions from an Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry (POE) as well. Once you are in Canada, you can submit your PR renewal application. This time round, you will need to demonstrate that you intend to stay and maintain your PR status, definitely, for more than a month.
HOWEVER, even though you might be a visa-exempt national, you can always
avoid the uncertainty of entry refusal at the POE by applying for the Travel Document, which is mentioned below.
You can choose to process your reinstatement while in Canada under
Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, which places a
heavier burden of proof on you the applicant. If you can meet this burden of proof with valid supporting documents, then why not?
Applying for a Travel Document:
As a PR without a valid PR card, you can always
submit an application for a Travel Document to your Canadian Consular Office in /responsible for your home country. This application for a travel document is for permanent residents who are outside Canada and who do not have a valid permanent resident card to return to Canada. Travel documents are issued to permanent residents abroad to provide proof to a transportation company that the holder is entitled to re-enter Canada as a permanent resident.
The Travel Document can be issued on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds - Part C.
Quote: "
There are no guidelines on what supporting documents you should submit for consideration on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. You are free to make submissions on any aspect of your personal circumstances that you feel would warrant retention of your permanent residence."
"
An officer will weigh the factors of your unique case against the extent to which you did not comply with your residency obligation and make a decision based on the evidence in your file."
*** The Canadian Consular Officer will make a decision on your Travel Document application based on what you write for question/item 18 on the application form backed by your evidentiary documents that must be vital, pertinent, and unique to you.
***
PDF Link for the
Guide to obtaining this Travel Document (
Pay attention to everything including Section C):
http://cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5529E.PDF
Generally, you can always
download the Travel Document Application Form from the CIC website:
http://cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/travel.asp
A list of Canada's Visa-Exempt Countries:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-immigration-visitor-visa-exemptions.html
Good Luck!
Warm regards,
Libra.
