I'm applying for a student visa , and they are saying that I have to relinquish my expired permanent resident status to continue processing my application . Can I continue my application without canceling my PR , and renew it later after I go to Canada ? Because renewing my PR will take a long time , and my ESL program will start in May .
My PR Card was expired in 2009 I was outside of Canada and I was a minor . So I can apply for a travel document , unlike my parents they can't , and renewing the PR will take more time than the visa , that's why I'm applying for a student visa.
Permanent residents don't qualify for study permits. So if you want a study permit - then you would need to relinquish your PR status first. Since it sounds like you want to keep your PR status, I would focus on getting the travel document. You're going to be approved for the study permit.
1. If you a citizen of a country that is visitor visa exempt to Canada - fly to Canada and deal with immigration at the Port of Entry.
2. If you are not visitor visa exempt but hold any type of valid US visa (excluding C class) - fly to the US then cross into Canada at a land border using your landing documents with a non commercial form of transport. Again deal with immigration at the Port of Entry.
3. If 1 & 2 don't apply then get a TD from the visa post . You need to prove you meet the RO i.e. having 730 days of physical presence in Canada in the 5 years prior to TD application (on the presumption you landed more than 5 years ago). If you breach the RO then you can go with the 'removed as a minor' angle as a Humanitarian and Compassionate reason for breaching the RO.
For 1 & 2 immigration may grill you as to why you don't have a PR Card/ are in breach of the RO etc but they will have to let you in. They may report you but likely they will give you a break. you can head straight to the school and with your landing papers should be ok for admission as a 'local' as opposed to an 'international' student.
