Permanent residency renewal

[HJAMAL1998]

Good morning beautiful people,
I know there's a very straightforward answer to this question, but here it is, hoping to find some answers that may help.

My parents have been permanent residents of Canada since 2011. But, they flew back to their home country after staying a few months. They haven't been back since, and as expected, their PR cards have expired and haven't met their residency obligations. They were wondering what could be done about coming back, as they're interested in doing so. I have read a few posts on here talking about entering via CA-US border, which to be honest, i really don't understand.
Can they apply for PR renewal? Or do they have to apply for immigration from scratch? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Good morning beautiful people,
I know there's a very straightforward answer to this question, but here it is, hoping to find some answers that may help.

My parents have been permanent residents of Canada since 2011. But, they flew back to their home country after staying a few months. They haven't been back since, and as expected, their PR cards have expired and haven't met their residency obligations. They were wondering what could be done about coming back, as they're interested in doing so. I have read a few posts on here talking about entering via CA-US border, which to be honest, i really don't understand.
Can they apply for PR renewal? Or do they have to apply for immigration from scratch? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

They don't meet the residency requirements. So applying for a renewal or a PR Travel Document will result in refusal. Right now there is no way for them to travel to Canada directly.

Their only option would be to fly to the US and then attempt to enter Canada through a land border. If they manage to get through without being reported for failing to meet the residency requirement, they will then need to live in Canada for 2 straight years without leaving before they will be able to apply to renew their PR cards (may be difficult to get health care coverage, etc. during these 2 years). If they are reported at the border, they should expect to formally lose their PR status and be told to leave. (FYI - Would absolutely not recommend trying to enter from the U.S. right now due to COVID-19 since the border is closed to all but essential traffic. If they want to try this, strongly recommend they wait until the COVID-19 issues has been resolved.)

Alternatively, they can renounce their PR status and reapply again from scratch as economic immigrants (if they qualify) or through sponsorship by you (assuming you are Canadian, meet the income requirements and are selected for parent sponsorship).

 

[HJAMAL1998]

They don't meet the residency requirements. So applying for a renewal or a PR Travel Document will result in refusal. Right now there is no way for them to travel to Canada directly.

Their only option would be to fly to the US and then attempt to enter Canada through a land border. If they manage to get through without being reported for failing to meet the residency requirement, they will then need to live in Canada for 2 straight years without leaving before they will be able to apply to renew their PR cards (may be difficult to get health care coverage, etc. during these 2 years). If they are reported at the border, they should expect to formally lose their PR status and be told to leave. (FYI - Would absolutely not recommend trying to enter from the U.S. right now due to COVID-19 since the border is closed to all but essential traffic. If they want to try this, strongly recommend they wait until the COVID-19 issues has been resolved.)

Alternatively, they can renounce their PR status and reapply again from scratch as economic immigrants (if they qualify) or through sponsorship by you (assuming you are Canadian, meet the income requirements and are selected for parent sponsorship).

Thank you for your timely response.
When you say 'enter Canada through a land border', what do you mean exactly? Wouldn't border officials ask for documentations before letting them enter into Canada? What documentations do they usually ask for and what should they expect?

Thank you once again.

 

[scylla]

Thank you for your timely response.
When you say 'enter Canada through a land border', what do you mean exactly? Wouldn't border officials ask for documentations before letting them enter into Canada? What documentations do they usually ask for and what should they expect?

Thank you once again.

They should expect it will be challenging.

They would fly to the U.S. and then travel by private vehicle (e.g. rented car) across the border into Canada. They would use either their COPR or expired PR cards to enter Canada. Given they have been outside of Canada for almost 10 years and never settled here, they is a very high chance they will be questioned about how long they have been out of Canada and likely a high chance they will be reported for failing to meet the residency requirement. If they are reported, they will have to apepar at a hearing and can expect to officially lose their PR status. They will then be forced to leave Canada.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you for your timely response.
When you say 'enter Canada through a land border', what do you mean exactly? Wouldn't border officials ask for documentations before letting them enter into Canada? What documentations do they usually ask for and what should they expect?

Thank you once again.

Given their expired PR cards and the length of their absence, expect that they would be reported at the border for failing to meet the Residency Obligation and lose their PR status.