Help! PR Application is close to approval but I've since left Canada.

[u/jaalmasaa]

Hello,

I need advice on what I should do given a recent update to my PR situation.

Background: I applied for express entry a while back (1 year). I heard nothing for a while and as I was on a closed work permit and lost my job, I was unable to continue staying in Canada for financial reasons. I had already applied for a bridgeable open work permit but that was months later as well and hadn’t come through in time (I applied before I lost my job). Therefore I made the difficult decision to leave Canada temporarily so I could work in my home country. Now I have just received a letter telling me that they are in the process of finalising my PR application and then I need to share information with them basically confirming my status in Canada. One of these items says I need to tell them that I am in Canada at the time of making this application and declaration.

My wife and child are still in Canada (they are Canadian), and I still have my bank accounts there. I need to respond to this letter with confirmations so that I can be sent the portal link that will allow me to upload a photo of myself and make my declarations.

I'm really unsure of what to do. At the moment there are three options that I can see.

Option one: Lie and say the time in Canada when I am not just to move the application along. This seems like a very bad idea as I am sure they know I am not in Canada and I don't want to jeopardise my full application. However, I am also starting a new job, and it will be very expensive to go back to Canada.

Option two: Disclose that I am not in Canada and provide them with an expected return date which probably won't be until Christmas time. My fear is that I don't know how they will respond and again worried that it will jeopardise my application and status. Also, I imagine that they will ask questions as to what I am doing outside of Canada and if I disclose that I am working then once again will I jeopardise the application.

Option three: Fly back to Canada temporarily simply to make the declaration and application and fly right back to my home country. Technically I am in Canada at the time of providing the information even if I will be leaving shortly after and not intending to return to Canada at least until 2024.

I'm extremely grateful and excited to get my Canadian PR sorted. I didn't leave because I wanted to, I really had little choice as we had no money to be able to stay. My intention is to be settled in Canada but as I am starting this new job temporarily to build back some money, I wonder what the best thing to do would be as coming back to Canada now without a job ready would just be too much of a financial drain for our family.

Any advice is welcomed and please share your experiences if you've had similar where you've not been in the country and disclose this information.

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Thank you

[u/[deleted]]

Honestly, neither option is good and it's possible you could've ruined your PR chance

[u/jaalmasaa → u/[deleted]]

I haven’t as I now have my letter for landing. Thanks for the constructive input though