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11/8/2016
Topic:
Want to apply for an Ontario Driver's Licence

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

You can find some detailed information in our Settlement.Org I have a driver's licence from another country. How do I get an Ontario driver's licence? article.

Here is an excerpt,

You may be able to exchange it for an Ontario driver's licence. The type of licence you can get depends on how much driving experience you have and if the country has a reciprocal agreement with Ontario.


and


Countries With a Reciprocal Agreement

Some countries, like the United States, Australia, France and Korea, have an agreement with Ontario which allows licensed drivers to obtain an Ontario licence without having to go through the regular process for obtaining a licence in this province.

If you have a driver's licence from one of these jurisdictions with Licence Exchange Agreement, you can benefit from this privilege.The type of licence you can get depends on how much driving experience you have.

You follow the same process as drivers with a licence from another Canadian province and from Canadian Forces - Europe.


Read about the Licence Exchange program on the DriveTest website to learn more about the process and the documents required.

You may want to contact DriveTest at their Toll Free Number 1-800-489-8450 to speak to a Customer Service Agent to find out what your options are in this situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
Permanent Resident - Leave Canada to Visit Family

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this.

You can find some detailed information in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for permanent residents (PRs)? article.

Here is an excerpt here,

To meet these residency obligations, you must be physically present in Canada for at least730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

This means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period.

However, if you have been a permanent resident for less than 5 years and decide to leave the country for an extended period of time, it is up to you to prove to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you will be able to meet your residency requirements.

In terms of what is needed to re-enter Canada, you can find some information on the CIC website in the I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card? section.

Here is an excerpt,


Canada’s entry requirements are changing
Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.


Although it is not your situation that you do not have a PR card, you can note that "Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada."

This is the main factor. The fact that you are not travelling with your Canadian Citizen husband should not affect your re-entry to Canada.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
PRTD - How do I get one?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation.

In terms of your child's passport, it is unclear whether or not your child's passport is a Canadian passport.

If it is a Canadian passport, you can find some information on the Government of Canada website in the How to apply for a child’s passport section.

Here is an excerpt,

Only the following people can apply for a child’s passport:


  • One of the child’s parents
  • In the case of separation or divorce, the parent who has custody of the child (separation agreements and court orders must be provided)
  • The child’s legal guardian (proof of legal guardianship must be provided)
Each legal parent or guardian should sign the application form. The Passport Program may contact the other legal guardian or parent.

The forms you need to complete may differ depending on where you are applying from.



Regarding your second question,

can I get easily a travel document to return back to Canada?


Unfortunately, we cannot definitively say whether or not you can easily get a PRTD. However, we can tell you what the process is.

You can find some detailed information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the Permanent resident travel document section.

Here is an excerpt,

You can apply for a permanent resident travel document if you:

  • are a permanent resident,
  • do not have a valid PR card showing your PR status,
  • are outside Canada, and
  • will return to Canada by airplane, boat, train or bus.

and additionally in the Applying for a travel document (permanent resident abroad) (IMM 5529) section,

This application is for permanent residents outside Canada who do not have a valid permanent resident card to return to Canada. Travel documents are issued to permanent residents abroad to provide proof to a transportation company that the holder is entitled to re-enter Canada as a permanent resident.

Note to holders of a:

  • Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)


These documents are not valid for travel to Canada. You must have a permanent resident card or a travel document to re-enter Canada by train, plane, boat or bus.

Who should not apply for a travel document?


You can find some information on the IRCC website in the I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada? section.

Here is an excerpt,

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.

Returning by private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to enter the country.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent, and that is not available for public use.

Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat

You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), valid for one entry. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.


I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
PR Card - Change Mailing Address - How?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question with us.

You can find some detailed information regarding change of address on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website in the Change of Address section.

Here is an excerpt,

You may use this on-line service if:
  • your case is being processed in Canada;
  • your address is in Canada;
  • you are moving within three weeks;
  • you have not been requested to report your change of address in person to your local office.
And you:
  • sponsored a member of the family class;
  • applied for permanent residence from within or outside Canada;
  • applied for a permanent resident card (replacement or renewal);
  • applied for Canadian citizenship (grant of citizenship);
  • applied for Canadian citizenship for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen;
  • applied for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship);
  • applied to renounce Canadian citizenship; or
  • applied to resume Canadian citizenship.





I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
Want to remove Tenants- Rights?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this.

It is best to contact the Landlord's Self-Help Centre directly for some additional information specific to your situation. The Landlord's Self-Help Centre is a non-profit community legal clinic which supports Ontario's small-scale landlord community exclusively.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
Married Outside Canada - Recognized in Canada?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your daughter's situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

Generally, a foreign marriage will be recognized by the Canadian government, if the marriage:

-Is legal according to the laws of the place where it occurred; and
-Complies with Canada's federal laws on marriage.

Marriages that are legally performed in a foreign country are usually valid in Canada, and you do not need to register them in Canada.

You can find some additional information in our Settlement.Org Will the Canadian government recognize my foreign marriage? article.

In terms of changing your name, you can find some information in our Settlement.Org How do I change my name after I get married? article.

Please note that there is a cost for a formal name change after 90 days of your marriage. It is $25.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
How Long Can I Stay Outside Canada?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

You are very welcome!

Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
Questions about OSAP

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information regarding who is eligible for OSAP in our Settlement.Org Who is eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)? article.


Here is an excerpt,

You must also be a resident of Ontario. You must meet 1 of the following criteria to meet OSAP's Ontario residency requirements:


  • You have always resided in Ontario OR Ontario is the last province you resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time post-secondary student; or
  • If you are married or in a common-law relationship, your residency can also be based on the amount of time your spouse or common-law partner has lived in Ontario. Your spouse must have lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the start of your current study period. Your spouse must not have been enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies during that 12-month period; or
  • If you are a "dependent student" for OSAP purposes, your residency can be based on the residency of your parent(s), step-parent, legal guardian(s), or official sponsor(s). Your parent(s), step-parent, legal guardian(s), or official sponsor(s) must have lived or maintained the family home in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months up to the start of your current study period.

It also states,


If you have lived in another province, you must contact that province's student assistance program.


For additional information and for confirmation, you may want to contact:



Student Financial Assistance Branch
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
PO Box 4500
189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9

Telephone: (807) 343-7260
Toll-free in North America: 1-877-OSAP-411 (1-877-672-7411)
Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-800-465-3958
Fax: (807) 343-7278

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
Looking for Private Health Insurance

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recommend a health insurance provider over another. However, you can find some information in our Settlement.Org Where can I buy private health insurance for newcomers and visitors to Canada? article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
return to my country for 2months

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some detailed information on residency requirements in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for permanent residents (PRs)? article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/8/2016
Topic:
PR Card Renewal- Complicated Situation

Moderator
Moderator
Hello Khalled,

Thank you for sharing your situation with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this. We are sorry that you have experienced this.

In the past we have asked this question to IRCC. According to an IRCC representative, it could cause processing delays if you are unable to provide your old passport (showing entry & exits ). This is because they will have to verify whether you have met the residency requirements in another way.

The representative advised that you include a letter stating why you cannot provide your previous passport and some strong supporting documentation when you submit your PR Card renewal application, to prove your physical presence in Canada during this time period.

In addition, you could also include pay stubs, bank statements, utility bills, credit card bills (they are interested in where you made purchases, not what you bought), cell phone bills, etc.


If you would like more information on your specific situation, you may want to contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre directly.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org




11/14/2016
Topic:
Permanent Residents outside canada

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question with us.


You can find some additional detailed information in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Operational Manual ENF 23 - Loss of Permanent Resident Status.

According to the
Operational Manual ENF 23 - Loss of Permanent Resident Status,


7.5. Accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada

R61(4) provides that each day a permanent resident is outside Canada accompanying (that is,ordinarily residing with) a Canadian citizen constitutes a day of physical presence in Canada,provided that the Canadian citizen they are accompanying is a spouse or common-law partner or parent. In the case of a permanent resident outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen, it is not necessary to determine who is accompanying whom, nor is it necessary to determine for what purpose. In other words, under A28(2)(a)(ii) and R61(4), as long as a permanent resident is accompanying a Canadian citizen, the intent and purpose of their absences are not relevant as the residency obligation is met.

So from the situation described, each day a permanent resident is accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner outside Canada, constitutes a day of physical presence in Canada for your permanent residence requirement. It is interesting to note that it also states,

In the case of a permanent resident outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen, it is not necessary to determine who is accompanying whom, nor is it necessary to determine for what purpose.

In other words, under A28(2)(a)(ii) and R61(4), as long as a permanent resident is accompanying a Canadian citizen, the intent and purpose of their absences are not relevant as the residency obligation is met.(Italics and Bold ours)

You can find some additional information in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada -How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status? FAQ. Here is an excerpt,
Residency Requirement

To maintain your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period. During this time you must be here physically.The two years may not need to be continuous.

An officer can confirm if your time in Canada counts when you:
  • re-enter Canada, or
  • apply for a permanent resident card.

Time spent outside Canada may also count towards the two years if you are:

  • travelling with your spouse or partner who is a Canadian citizen,
  • a child travelling with his or her father or mother who is a Canadian citizen,
  • an employee of (or under contract to) a Canadian business.

Now, in terms of counting it as physical presence for Canadian Citizenship, you can find a detailed response on the Immigration, Refugees and Canadian Citizenship website in the Can I count any time I’ve spent outside of Canada toward the physical presence requirement when applying for citizenship? section.

Here is an excerpt,

Time spent outside Canada does not count towards the physical presence requirement except in certain circumstances.


You can count time spent outside Canada toward the physical presence requirement for citizenship if you:
  • Were a permanent resident employed in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, federal public administration, or public service of a province or territory; or
  • Resided outside Canada with your:
    • Canadian spouse or common-law partner, or
    • permanent resident spouse, common-law partner, or parent
    who was employed in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, federal public administration, or public service of a province or territory.





I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.


=====

Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/14/2016
Topic:
Unjust Fees - Renting a Condo Unit

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

In terms of what your rights are, you may want to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic to see if they can provide you some advice regarding your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/14/2016
Topic:
Housing Stabilization Fund

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

As you may already know, a caseworker will do an assessment to determine eligibility for this fund.

You should contact your caseworker for additional information and to determine how many quotes are needed.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
11/15/2016
Topic:
Waiting for Sponsor - can I stay in Canada?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

It is difficult for us to provide a definitive response regarding whether or not it will be possible for you to enter Canada in this situation.

If you are referring to sponsorship from outside Canada, as a Canadian Citizen, your wife can sponsor you while outside Canada.

You can find some approximate timelines and details on both sponsorship applications on the the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the the Processing Times: Family Sponsorship section.

According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre, the outside Canada process is a generally shorter processing time than the inside Canada.

Another difference is that with the outside Canada application, if the application is ultimately refused, the sponsor has the right to appeal the refusal to the immigration appeal division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. This option does not exist for the in-Canada.

In terms of coming to Canada while an outside application is in process, you may want to read some of our previous experiences and questions from users in these Sponsorship- Can We Move To Canada?- Dual Intent? and Dual Internt discussion threads.

If you have not already read this, you can find some additional and detailed information regarding Dual Intent on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

It may also be helpful to read this interesting article and chart here .

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org