Is it possible to defer landing for PR?

[RockLobster]

I've applied with my partner through the self-employed immigration route. The process is moving A LOT faster than I ever imagined. We applied last fall and have already done our medical exams! In a way this a good thing, but... we're just not ready to up and move just yet. Does anyone know what the timeline is once you are approved until when you must land? Also, is it possible to defer your PR for a length of time?

Thanks very much.

 

[scylla]

Once you are issued the PR visa, you will have to land by the expiry date or start the process again from scratch. It's not possible to defer landing beyond the expiry date. However you can certainly land and then return to your home country to tie up your affairs before making a permanent move.

The expiry date of your PR visa is typically tied to the expiry date of your medical.

 

[akbardxb]

I've applied with my partner through the self-employed immigration route. The process is moving A LOT faster than I ever imagined. We applied last fall and have already done our medical exams! In a way this a good thing, but... we're just not ready to up and move just yet. Does anyone know what the timeline is once you are approved until when you must land? Also, is it possible to defer your PR for a length of time?

Thanks very much.

PR visa is not extended. You will find this explained in detail when you receive the PPR and then COPR. As said in a previous post, the expiry is usually a year from the date of medical.

You can delay your landing on or before the expiry date and then return to go back at a later point in time subject to the prevailing rules at the time.

 

[zardoz]

Don't leave it too close to the expiry date. If there is some sort of world wide event affecting air travel (9/11, aircrew strike, Eyjafjallajökull, etc) you could miss your opportunity to "land", through no fault of your own.

 

[RockLobster]

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful info.

I understand that the PR visa is valid if you live in Canada for 2 of every 5 years... Does that mean that I could think of it as 1 year from the expire of the medical plus perhaps another 2 years and still be well within the safe zone of the 2 of every 5? So essentially 3 years out from now if we needed that much time?

 

[zardoz]

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful info.

I understand that the PR visa is valid if you live in Canada for 2 of every 5 years... Does that mean that I could think of it as 1 year from the expire of the medical plus perhaps another 2 years and still be well within the safe zone of the 2 of every 5? So essentially 3 years out from now if we needed that much time?

Don't think in "5 year blocks". That's not how the Residency Obligation works... Also, ignore the expiry date on your PR card, as it has NO bearing on whether you meet,or are able to meet, the Residency Obligation. It's a 1825 day rolling period, in which you must have spent, (or be capable of spending), 730 days in Canada. It's counted forward from the day you "landed" or if you landed more than 1825 days ago, it's counted back from today.

So, in your case, you would have 1094 days from the day you "land" before you MUST be in Canada for the following 730 days.

 

[scylla]

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful info.

I understand that the PR visa is valid if you live in Canada for 2 of every 5 years... Does that mean that I could think of it as 1 year from the expire of the medical plus perhaps another 2 years and still be well within the safe zone of the 2 of every 5? So essentially 3 years out from now if we needed that much time?

Yes - that's quite possible.

But you will still have to land in Canada before the expiry of your PR visa. So going by your logic, around 1 year from now would be your deadline for landing in Canada. After landing, you could of course leave immediately.