Need advice on PRTD possibility

[Abacus28]

I became a Canadian permanent resident in June 2022 and received my COPR. Since then, I have spent only about 4 days physically in Canada, and currently I have approximately 10 months remaining in my initial 5-year PR period. During this time, I was primarily living and working in the US. In 2022, my father was seriously ill with dementia and other health problems, and I came to India later in the year for approximately three months to be with him; he subsequently passed away. In 2023, my husband lost his job, which created additional financial and family circumstances that made relocating more difficult. I had been in a lot of physical pain for the better part of 2024 and toward the end of 2024, I was diagnosed with a very large fibroid. I have medical records and diagnostic reports from both India and the US, and I ultimately underwent surgery in the US on April 29, 2025.
In March 2024, I had obtained a Canadian PRTD and re-entered Canada, but my PR card was not dispatched this time either. I have also repeatedly tried to contact IRCC regarding my first PR card, which was never delivered despite providing a Canadian mailing address. I now genuinely want to relocate to Canada and establish my life there permanently. I am considering applying for a PRTD and requesting consideration on humanitarian and compassionate grounds because I clearly do not meet the 730-day residency obligation. Given these circumstances, particularly my father's illness and death, my medical history, my previous PRTD, my attempts to resolve the missing PR card, and my current intention to permanently relocate to Canada, I would appreciate advice from anyone who has had a similar PRTD/H&C case. How realistic is it to obtain a PRTD in these circumstances, and what evidence would be most important to include?

 

[canuck78]

I became a Canadian permanent resident in June 2022 and received my COPR. Since then, I have spent only about 4 days physically in Canada, and currently I have approximately 10 months remaining in my initial 5-year PR period. During this time, I was primarily living and working in the US. In 2022, my father was seriously ill with dementia and other health problems, and I came to India later in the year for approximately three months to be with him; he subsequently passed away. In 2023, my husband lost his job, which created additional financial and family circumstances that made relocating more difficult. I had been in a lot of physical pain for the better part of 2024 and toward the end of 2024, I was diagnosed with a very large fibroid. I have medical records and diagnostic reports from both India and the US, and I ultimately underwent surgery in the US on April 29, 2025.
In March 2024, I had obtained a Canadian PRTD and re-entered Canada, but my PR card was not dispatched this time either. I have also repeatedly tried to contact IRCC regarding my first PR card, which was never delivered despite providing a Canadian mailing address. I now genuinely want to relocate to Canada and establish my life there permanently. I am considering applying for a PRTD and requesting consideration on humanitarian and compassionate grounds because I clearly do not meet the 730-day residency obligation. Given these circumstances, particularly my father's illness and death, my medical history, my previous PRTD, my attempts to resolve the missing PR card, and my current intention to permanently relocate to Canada, I would appreciate advice from anyone who has had a similar PRTD/H&C case. How realistic is it to obtain a PRTD in these circumstances, and what evidence would be most important to include?

Would speak to a lawyer because this is a fairly risky move. The majority of the time was spent in the US not in India caring for your father. You also have very little time spent in Canada since landing as a PR. You would need to be in Canada to apply for a PR card and would need to pick it up in Canada which is possibly why you were not able to apply for a PR card earlier.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

I became a Canadian permanent resident in June 2022 and received my COPR. Since then, I have spent only about 4 days physically in Canada, and currently I have approximately 10 months remaining in my initial 5-year PR period. During this time, I was primarily living and working in the US. In 2022, my father was seriously ill with dementia and other health problems, and I came to India later in the year for approximately three months to be with him; he subsequently passed away. In 2023, my husband lost his job, which created additional financial and family circumstances that made relocating more difficult. I had been in a lot of physical pain for the better part of 2024 and toward the end of 2024, I was diagnosed with a very large fibroid. I have medical records and diagnostic reports from both India and the US, and I ultimately underwent surgery in the US on April 29, 2025.
In March 2024, I had obtained a Canadian PRTD and re-entered Canada, but my PR card was not dispatched this time either. I have also repeatedly tried to contact IRCC regarding my first PR card, which was never delivered despite providing a Canadian mailing address. I now genuinely want to relocate to Canada and establish my life there permanently. I am considering applying for a PRTD and requesting consideration on humanitarian and compassionate grounds because I clearly do not meet the 730-day residency obligation. Given these circumstances, particularly my father's illness and death, my medical history, my previous PRTD, my attempts to resolve the missing PR card, and my current intention to permanently relocate to Canada, I would appreciate advice from anyone who has had a similar PRTD/H&C case. How realistic is it to obtain a PRTD in these circumstances, and what evidence would be most important to include?

You can try to cross US/Canada border in a private vehicle with your COPR.

 

[canuck78]

You can try to cross US/Canada border in a private vehicle with your COPR.

That doesn’t solve the fact that they don’t have a PR card and it is will be difficult to get things like a health card and a driver’s license in some provinces without one. Some employers also want to see proof of your status in Canada although they could order VOS. Not sure what processing time for an VOS is these days. Employers and even government employees are unfamiliar with many immigration documents so having VOS vs PR card may come with extra effort on OPs part. Given the lack of PR card and no meeting their RO applying for PRTD based on H&C may give them some certainly that they will be able to remain if approved before moving to Canada. Applying for both PRTD and PR card based on H&C can come with a very long processing time (I have seen ~1 year recently). This is a complex situation where multiple things need to be considered so consulting a lawyer may be their best option. Whether OP expects to need to leave Canada in the next 2+ years also should factor into their decisions. Not having a PR card likely increases your chances of being reported at the border for not being in compliance with your RO. Unclear if there are other family members and what are their statuses, current employment and chances of employment in Canada, etc. Many factors to consider.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

That doesn’t solve the fact that they don’t have a PR card and it is will be difficult to get things like a health card and a driver’s license in some provinces without one. Some employers also want to see proof of your status in Canada although they could order VOS. Not sure what processing time for an VOS is these days. Employers and even government employees are unfamiliar with many immigration documents so having VOS vs PR card may come with extra effort on OPs part. Given the lack of PR card and no meeting their RO applying for PRTD based on H&C may give them some certainly that they will be able to remain if approved before moving to Canada. Applying for both PRTD and PR card based on H&C can come with a very long processing time (I have seen ~1 year recently). This is a complex situation where multiple things need to be considered so consulting a lawyer may be their best option. Whether OP expects to need to leave Canada in the next 2+ years also should factor into their decisions. Not having a PR card likely increases your chances of being reported at the border for not being in compliance with your RO. Unclear if there are other family members and what are their statuses, current employment and chances of employment in Canada, etc. Many factors to consider.

Agreed, but COPR will be enough for most of the cases.

But it's a more viable scenario to come to Canada first, and apply for your first PR card if it was never sent, or, if it was, meet your residency requirements and apply for PR card renewal.

This way may be even faster than applying based on H&C.

 

[canuck78]

Agreed, but COPR will be enough for most of the cases.

But it's a more viable scenario to come to Canada first, and apply for your first PR card if it was never sent, or, if it was, meet your residency requirements and apply for PR card renewal.

This way may be even faster than applying based on H&C.

An expired COPR is essentially useless except to enter Canada someone can also look up your status. They can’t just apply for a PR card because they don’t meet their RO. The best option if not reported at the border is to wait 2 years and then apply but that also comes with a lot of issues. The only option would be to apply for a PR card based on H&C and you could wait around a year for an approval/refusal. If refused you lose your status.