Physical Residency Obligations Issues for Renewing PR

[mustang34]

Hi All,
I'd appreciate an advice on my issue below.
I have been a PR since 2001 and have been working and studying in Canada with considerable achievements. I have not applied for Citizenship till 2009 when I did apply for it and yet I am waiting for a decision (they asked for an RQ which I submitted it with all the supplementary docs in Aug 2011).
Meanwhile I got into a situation in July 2009 where I had to leave Canada to go back to my country of origin to take care of my Father who was fighting with Cancer and my Grandmother who had a serious heart decease. Unfortunately both of them passed away (My Father in Feb 2012 and My Grandmother in Dec. 2012 - Not a good year 2012 for me). Now I am back in Canada after all this and my PR will be expiring in July 2013.

I am now wondering:
1. How do I renew my PR card when expired in July where I was unable to meet the minimum physical residency obligations.
2. Do I really need to renew my PR card considering the complication of my case (Maybe)? I will not need to travel outside of Canada again at least for a while if PR is only needed for traveling.
3. Is the PR card a required document if I happen to need to sponsor my spouse or will there be any alternate document instead of PR card?

I appreciate any advice.

 

[Msafiri]

Hi All,
I'd appreciate an advice on my issue below.
I have been a PR since 2001 and have been working and studying in Canada with considerable achievements. I have not applied for Citizenship till 2009 when I did apply for it and yet I am waiting for a decision (they asked for an RQ which I submitted it with all the supplementary docs in Aug 2011).
Meanwhile I got into a situation in July 2009 where I had to leave Canada to go back to my country of origin to take care of my Father who was fighting with Cancer and my Grandmother who had a serious heart decease. Unfortunately both of them passed away (My Father in Feb 2012 and My Grandmother in Dec. 2012 - Not a good year 2012 for me). Now I am back in Canada after all this and my PR will be expiring in July 2013.

I am now wondering:
1. How do I renew my PR card when expired in July where I was unable to meet the minimum physical residency obligations.
2. Do I really need to renew my PR card considering the complication of my case (Maybe)? I will not need to travel outside of Canada again at least for a while if PR is only needed for traveling.
3. Is the PR card a required document if I happen to need to sponsor my spouse or will there be any alternate document instead of PR card?

I appreciate any advice.

1. Don't apply for a PR Card until you have 730 days of physical residence in Canada since your return.
2. No you don't need to. It will only draw attention to your absence. Also as per the Citizenship Act you have to be a PR for the whole process up to and including on oath date. Any attention about your PR obligation may stop your prcoessing. By the way get your GCMS notes to find out why you got RQd and where the process is. CIC may have mailed you during your abssence and maybe your case is closed.
3. CIC will need proof of your residence in Canada - expect to submit T4s, NOAs, DL etc. If any issues over your PR are noted then again no sponsorship and the Citizenship process affected too. Best to wait till you have the 730 days before sponsoring.