Can I travel overseas at the start of a BC PNP and IRCC PR application?

[alescom]

I am an international student at a post-secondary BC Designated Learning Institution. I am a PhD candidate at this institution, and I have around 12-15 months of study left before graduation.

I plan to apply soon to the BC PNP International Post-Graduate program and Permanent Residency through the non-express entry stream. However, in the coming months, I will take a three-month trip to my country, where I will continue to study remotely. This trip will likely include December.

Depending on when I apply for the BC PNP, this overseas trip may overlap with my applications for BC PNP and Permanent Residency.

My questions are:

• If my 3-month trip happens during the processing times of either the BC PNP or IRCC PR applications, will it impact them?
• Given my three-month trip, when would be the best time for me to apply for BC PNP and PR? For instance, should I make my trip first and, after I come back, apply for both BC PNP and PR, or can I start the process before and squeeze my trip somewhere in the process (overlap with BC PNP, PR, or both)?

One possibility I have considered is applying for BC PNP during my trip. PNP processing takes around three months, so I could receive a nomination close to my return date and start the PR application. However, I'm unsure if I can be outside of Canada for so long during the BC PNP application (the same goes for the PR application).

Thanks so much for your help!