We are landed immigrants with our PR status expiring in July 2009. Our daughter is currently studying in Canada and as of now we do not want to move to Canada immediately because the Middle East is still very lucurative and life is easy. However, maybe in the next 5 to 6 years, we are planning to retire in Canada.

As our PR status will expire in July 2009 and in order to legally re-enter we have the following two routes before us:

1. Get us sponsored by our daughter as dependant parents after she starts working in Canada. However, as she now wants to do higher studies in US, this process will get delayed if she opts to take up employment in US later.

2. The second option which I feel is better is to re-apply for immigration immediately after our PR status expires, provided the authorities do not hold it against us for abandoning our PR status in the first place. Since our only child will be a citizen by then, this may be taken in our favour, as I know Canadians give more importance to families being together. So our re-immigration process will take three years and totally we will get around 6 years time in the Middle East before we finally retire in Canada. Can anyone advise if you see any flaws in our plans in order to be vigilant.

a. What is the process for reapplying ?
b. Do we have to inform any PR Authority in Canada and get "Lost PR status" stamped in our passport or in their records before we can re-apply.
c. Do we reapply in the normal course through the Canadian Immigration Office in London.
d. As we are planning to enter Canada in May 2009 for our daughter's graduation, do we enter in a private car through road via USA border or do we fly directly into Toronto airport.
e. If we fly into to Toronto Airport, will they stop us entering the country or they will allow us to enter with the comments 'Lost PR status' entered in our passport, and if you think this is require, we will do this.
f. We would like to engage am Immigration Lawyer this time to process our application, as we would like to cover up all the loop holes, if any in order to be successful- any recommendation for Lawyers ?
g. We have be filing our tax returns since 2004, have separate accounts with TD canada Bank, have separate active credit cards, SIN Card etc. (have not taken driving license or health card)

In short, whatever we do we want to do it legally, so that there are no adverse affects on our re-entering Canada again.

I would really appreciate all your views.

Providing you with due credit for landing and getting your daughter settled in her studies, she will be due for her Canadian Citizenship and a Passport in due course. That was a very good decision that you did make.

Noting that there are too many 'ifs', I would not venture into answering them, case at a time, as enumerated in your queries. You please cross your bridges when you come to them.

The process of Immigration into Canada has taken on a NEW Phase and there are so many uncertainties associated with them. Now the Minister has assumed all of the powers associated with the functions and we will have to wait for the directives from him, day to day, before we can provide you with a definite answer and even then we could be proved wrong a few minutes after you see this letter.

In short, all of the fence sitters and the puddle jumpers may have to take a back seat as the work permits for temporary workers are increasing by leaps and bounds and all of the students are getting a lot of encouragement to seek work permits and subsequently settle down in a suitable post. The priorities seem to be changing and the temporary nature of the work permits are found more suitable to the current requirements. As many as 900,000 people who have been in the queue system hoping to hear from CIC will be getting the order of the boot, either because their circumstances have changed due to age or their dependents have become aged and they no longer qualify under the family class. The wait in the queue line up has caused unsurmountable delay and has upset the apple carts for a lot of people. Still they will have to do the needful to clear the system back log. Just for that they will need a lot more staff. I sincerely hope that they will provide each and every one a chance to decide the same for themselves and not push the highly needed people up front in the queue.

There is no such thing that says that you only get one chance at getting entry into Canada. So, if your age becomes a factor for you, then go the sponsoring route after your daughter gets her citizenship. That will have to wait till a later date. No you don't need a lawyer for that also. Make sure that the side of the coin that says "Get into Canada" shines more than the other one, which says "Stay in the Middle East". If you don't retire and enter and stay here, you will be back to square one. So, hold it off till such a day, when you see yourself retired.

If she decides to go to USA, then, find a way to go there if it calls for it.

As regards the visit for her graduation, since you have a PR card, travel with a return ticket. Make sure you have the invitation for the graduation from her Alma Mater. She gets two fo them anyway. Also the air lines will issue to you, your two tickets, when they see a valid PR Card.

Please carry all of the pertinent documents, if needed, along with you when you come the next time. Such as NOA, and tax returns etc., if they ever want to see them. They don't give you any brownie points for having paid the taxes to Canada. Not even a Thank you note. But who knows, things are changing and in the future they might.!

Freddie.