Parents’ Canadian PR expired — applying for a tourist visa now. Do we need to surrender/cancel PR first?

[nmj07]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation.

My parents became Canadian permanent residents, but their PR cards expired in 2023. They were unable to travel to Canada due to COVID-related challenges and because my grandmother was unwell, so they stayed back in India to take care of her.

Since their PR cards expired, they have not applied for a PR Travel Document (PRTD), humanitarian and compassionate consideration, or a tourist visa. They are now considering applying for a visitor visa (tourist visa) to come to Canada.

I have a few questions:

• If my parents apply for a tourist visa, does their expired PR status automatically get cancelled/nullified, or do we need to formally inform IRCC that they want to surrender/cancel their PR status?
• Do they need to use the same IRCC account to file for tourist visa which they did for submitting PR application?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation where their PR card expired, they did not meet the residency obligation, and they later applied for a visitor visa? What was your experience?
• Can my parents apply for a tourist visa directly from New Delhi through the Canadian visa process, or do I need to submit/apply on their behalf from Canada?
• Are there any specific forms, steps, or considerations we should be aware of before applying for a visitor visa given their previous PR status?

Any guidance or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Naturgrl]

They are not eligible for a TRV. They would have to renounce PR status first by applying. So if they don't want to keep PR status then start the process. If they want to keep PR then they either come through land border and don't leave until they meet RO or apply for PRTD H&C and explain why they didn't return to Canada. If refused, they lose PR.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation.

My parents became Canadian permanent residents, but their PR cards expired in 2023. They were unable to travel to Canada due to COVID-related challenges and because my grandmother was unwell, so they stayed back in India to take care of her.

Since their PR cards expired, they have not applied for a PR Travel Document (PRTD), humanitarian and compassionate consideration, or a tourist visa. They are now considering applying for a visitor visa (tourist visa) to come to Canada.

I have a few questions:

• If my parents apply for a tourist visa, does their expired PR status automatically get cancelled/nullified, or do we need to formally inform IRCC that they want to surrender/cancel their PR status?
• Do they need to use the same IRCC account to file for tourist visa which they did for submitting PR application?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation where their PR card expired, they did not meet the residency obligation, and they later applied for a visitor visa? What was your experience?
• Can my parents apply for a tourist visa directly from New Delhi through the Canadian visa process, or do I need to submit/apply on their behalf from Canada?
• Are there any specific forms, steps, or considerations we should be aware of before applying for a visitor visa given their previous PR status?

Any guidance or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Play your cards carefully . Did the grandmother get better ? The IRCC could assume that if you get a visitor visa after you renounce your PR you won’t leave . And Covid ended years ago , you can’t use that reason . It’s 2026

As mentioned they don’t qualify for a visitor visa .

 

[armoured]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation.

My parents became Canadian permanent residents, but their PR cards expired in 2023. They were unable to travel to Canada due to COVID-related challenges and because my grandmother was unwell, so they stayed back in India to take care of her.

Since their PR cards expired, they have not applied for a PR Travel Document (PRTD), humanitarian and compassionate consideration, or a tourist visa. They are now considering applying for a visitor visa (tourist visa) to come to Canada.

I have a few questions:

• If my parents apply for a tourist visa, does their expired PR status automatically get cancelled/nullified, or do we need to formally inform IRCC that they want to surrender/cancel their PR status?
• Do they need to use the same IRCC account to file for tourist visa which they did for submitting PR application?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation where their PR card expired, they did not meet the residency obligation, and they later applied for a visitor visa? What was your experience?
• Can my parents apply for a tourist visa directly from New Delhi through the Canadian visa process, or do I need to submit/apply on their behalf from Canada?
• Are there any specific forms, steps, or considerations we should be aware of before applying for a visitor visa given their previous PR status?

Any guidance or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

-If your parents apply for a TRV, it will come back with either a refusal or invitation to apply for PRTD or to renounce PR status.

I strongly recommend deciding what they wish to do in advance.

I had a family member who had PR status but had effectively never settled, and wanted to visit Canada. Contacted section section of embassy (not in India) - notably at a time when it was possible to contact someone in visa section. We got a renunciation form and renounced. Subsequently applied for TRV and had no problem.

But note: it was VERY clear this person had no intention of moving to Canada, ties abroad and work, etc.; those in other situations might well get refused.