Traveling to Canada after 3 years out

[thewaiting]

Hi guys,

I applied and got the canadian permanent residency a while ago (2003 I think), and finally did the landing on June 2004. As life would have it, soon thereafter my job got much more interesting and they sponsored my greencard, and I decided to stay in the US for now.

So now is 3 years later and I have both the PR and GC, I would probably stay in the US for the next few years, but I still would like to go live in Canada after that.

So my questions are:
1.- I assume I'll just have to re-apply from scratch next time in a few years if I want to go live in Canada, is that correct ? Will the previous application count against that process ?

2.- I have now friends living in Vancouver, and I am wondering what do I need to do to go visit: The PR card expires on July 2009, but it's my understanding that if not residing in CA 2 out every 5 years the residency is lost, so I think the card is no longer valid or is it ?

Do I need to apply for a visitor visa ? if so having the residency is it going to cause any trouble ?

Is there a number or place I could call to get this info ?

Thanks.-

 

[bigboy00]

Hi guys,

I applied and got the canadian permanent residency a while ago (2003 I think), and finally did the landing on June 2004. As life would have it, soon thereafter my job got much more interesting and they sponsored my greencard, and I decided to stay in the US for now.

So now is 3 years later and I have both the PR and GC, I would probably stay in the US for the next few years, but I still would like to go live in Canada after that.

So my questions are:
1.- I assume I'll just have to re-apply from scratch next time in a few years if I want to go live in Canada, is that correct ?

-- Yes.

Will the previous application count against that process ?

-- Your previous status might have (positive or negative) impact on your future process.

2.- I have now friends living in Vancouver, and I am wondering what do I need to do to go visit: The PR card expires on July 2009, but it's my understanding that if not residing in CA 2 out every 5 years the residency is lost, so I think the card is no longer valid or is it ?

-- The card is still valid. Most probably, the border guys will revoke your status at the border once they discover that you have not fulfilled your residency requirements. (This is if you use your PR card to enter Canada).

Do I need to apply for a visitor visa ? if so having the residency is it going to cause any trouble ?

-- No. Your US green card along with the (Indian, I believe) passport will suffice. But if you use it to enter Canada, your cdn PR comes to an end automatically.

 

[thewaiting]

Thanks for the quick response, I greatly appreciate it.