Hello I have left Canada as a Permanent Resident about 15 years now and have since lost my papers. I still have some documents i.e. drivers permit, health card all expired though. and my SIN. I established residency in another country and have since gotten married and have a child of that country. How can I return to Canada and eventually bring my family. I have spent the last 10 years developing my professional qualifications as I could not do it while I was in Canada due to lack of finances.
Returning to Canada after many years
- Thread starter GaryBachan
- Start date
It's going to be very difficult for you to return using the status you have now and also keep your family together. You are better off officially renouncing your PR status and applying again with your family from scratch. Note that financial / employment reasons are not accepted as reasons for having failed to meet the residency requirement for PR.
If you want to try to save your PR status, here's what you will need to do:
Travel to the US and enter Canada by land through a US/Canadian land border using a private vehicle and your landing document from 15 years ago. Hope you are not reported at the border for failing to meet the residency requirement. If you are reported at the border, you will have to appear at a hearing about your PR status, will end up having your PR status officially revoked, and will then be ordered to leave Canada. If you are not reported, then you will have to remain in Canada for two straight years without leaving (to meet the residency requirement) before you will be able to apply to apply for a PR card. You cannot sponsor your family for PR until these two years have passed (if you try sooner, their application will be refused and your PR status will be revoked). During those two years your family can try to visit you in Canada but cannot move or live here. They most likely won't have access to the health care system while here, your spouse won't be able to work and your child may not be able to attend school without obtaining a study permit and paying international fees. If you are from a country that requires a TRV to visit Canada, then assume your family will not be able to get an approved TRV to come and visit you - which means you will have to be separated for at least two full years.
Realistically, your only viable option is to cross the border with the USA in private transportation and hope that a) they can identify you as a permanent resident and b) that they don't report you for non-compliance with the residency obligation requirements.
To be honest, your chances of b) happening are probably pretty low. You should prepare for the probability of having to appeal an inadmissibility report and/or the loss of your PR status.
The other alternative is to renounce your PR status formally and reapply with your family as dependents.
I thank you for your advice and shall consider them carefully. I don't want to enter through the US as it may be a bit dodgy and I have to much at stake to take careless chances.