Canada is known for offering stability, world-class healthcare, education, and a high quality of life, which is exactly why losing your Canadian permanent residency can feel like a devastating setback. But here’s the truth: even if you’ve fallen short of the 730-day residency obligation, that doesn’t automatically mean the end of your Canadian future.
Whether you left the country to care for an ailing parent, were stranded abroad due to war, illness, or travel restrictions, or simply lost track of time, you’re not alone and you’re not out of options. Lost your Canadian permanent residency? Here’s what you can still do in 2025: Canada’s immigration laws provide several legal avenues to help you restore your PR status, even after a long absence.
At Akrami & Associates, we work with clients in these exact situations every day. Through PR Card Renewal with Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Arguments, PR Travel Documents (PRTDs), or appeals, we help you present your story, prove your intent, and reclaim the life you’ve already started to build in Canada. Let’s walk through the steps you can take right now to protect your status and move forward.
To maintain your PR status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within every 5-year period. If you’re outside Canada longer than allowed, IRCC may initiate proceedings to revoke your status. This often happens:
But IRCC doesn’t make decisions in a vacuum. If you have valid, documented reasons for being abroad, they must consider humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds.
If you’ve lost your Canadian permanent residency or are at risk due to not meeting the 730-day residency obligation, there’s still a legal path forward. Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Applications offer a critical solution for individuals facing exceptional personal hardship or extenuating circumstances that kept them outside of Canada.
Unlike most immigration processes that focus strictly on eligibility and timelines, H&C applications are rooted in real life. They allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to make exceptions to standard rules including the PR residency obligation based on compelling personal stories. Whether you’re applying to renew your PR card with H&C arguments or filing a full H&C application to restore lost PR status in Canada, the heart of your case lies in context, credibility, and compassion.
Each application is reviewed holistically. Immigration officers assess why you were outside of Canada, what efforts you made to return, and how losing your status would negatively impact you or your family especially if children are involved. Below are some of the most common and successful H&C scenarios:
One of the most emotionally powerful and commonly accepted reasons for extended time abroad is caring for a dying family member. If you left Canada to provide end-of-life care to a parent, spouse, or sibling, IRCC may consider this a valid H&C reason.
What strengthens your case:
If you were trapped in a war zone, affected by a natural disaster, or living in an area of political unrest that made it unsafe or impossible to return to Canada, IRCC may grant leniency under H&C grounds.
What strengthens your case:
When you’re dealing with severe illness, surgery, or rehabilitation that made travel physically or medically impossible, medical PR Card Renewal with H&C arguments may apply. IRCC considers the duration and severity of the illness in its review.
What strengthens your case:
Global emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented travel challenges. If you were unable to return to Canada due to international travel bans, embassy closures, or suspended flights, these factors may be recognized as valid reasons for failing to meet your residency obligation.
What strengthens your case:
If you’re outside of Canada caring for your Canadian-born or PR child, your role as a parent or guardian carries significant weight. Canadian immigration law prioritizes the best interests of the child, making this one of the strongest H&C arguments available.
What strengthens your case:
Regardless of your situation, the success of your Humanitarian and Compassionate arguments depends on how clearly and convincingly you:
At Akrami & Associates, we specialize in residency obligation appeals, PR Card renewals with Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Arguments, and Humanitarian & Compassionate submissions. We know how to structure a case that immigration officers take seriously because we’ve done it successfully for hundreds of clients just like you.
Lost your Canadian permanent residency? Let us help you build a compelling, evidence-rich H&C application that gives you the best chance of staying in Canada.
The best interests of children are especially powerful in H&C decisions. If your PR loss affects a Canadian child’s development, education, or health, officers are required to give that substantial weight.
When it comes to restoring or renewing your Canadian permanent residency under Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds, one of the most critical elements is your documentation. Telling your story isn’t enough, you have to prove it.
In fact, permanent residency under Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds in Canada are judged heavily on credibility and supporting evidence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers are trained to look for consistency, authenticity, and alignment between your claims and your documents. A well-prepared application with strong, organized evidence can be the difference between restoring your PR status or losing it for good.
Here are the essential documents you should include in your PR Card Renewal with Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) arguments, along with how each contributes to building a strong case:
Your written explanation forms the emotional and factual backbone of your H&C arguments. It should outline:
This document should be truthful, well-structured, and consistent with everything else in your submission.
If your absence was due to your own medical condition or that of a close family member you need official medical documents. These include:
These documents serve as objective proof that your physical or mental condition made it unreasonable to meet the 730-day PR obligation.
Third-party support letters help strengthen the credibility of your application. These letters should:
Ideally, letters should come from reputable individuals with firsthand knowledge: healthcare professionals, employers, educators, or community leaders and must be dated and signed.
One of the most overlooked but powerful forms of evidence includes travel-related documentation. This is especially useful if your case involves:
You can include:
These documents support your narrative that you tried in good faith to return to Canada.
Even if you were physically outside Canada, maintaining strong ties to the country can significantly improve your chances of success. Show that you never gave up your connection to Canada.
Useful documents include:
These materials demonstrate that you remained rooted in Canadian life despite your absence.
If Canadian children are involved, especially if they are dependent on you, include:
This evidence is particularly persuasive, as IRCC must give primary consideration to the best interests of any child affected by the outcome of your application.
Submitting a comprehensive and well-organized set of documents gives IRCC officers the confidence to exercise discretion in your favour. It allows them to:
Simply put, the stronger your supporting documents, the higher your chances of success.
At Akrami & Associates, we’ve helped hundreds of individuals facing PR loss rebuild their status through detailed and persuasive H&C applications. We know exactly what IRCC officers look for, and how to organize your documents to maximize approval.
Lost your Canadian permanent residency? Don’t face this alone. Contact us today, and we’ll help you prepare an application that tells your story and proves it.
If you’re abroad and don’t have a valid PR card, you can apply for a PRTD to return to Canada. IRCC may still examine your residency history, but you can include H&C factors.
Even if you’re in Canada and haven’t met the 730-day rule, you can apply to renew your PR card using an H&C argument. Be prepared for intense scrutiny and a possible refusal.
If IRCC refuses your PR card or PRTD application, you may have the right to appeal to the IAD. Legal representation is strongly recommended.
If you lose your PR status entirely, you may still qualify to be sponsored by a Canadian spouse or family member to reapply for permanent residence.
We have helped hundreds of clients rebuild their lives in Canada after facing PR loss. We know what immigration officers look for in H&C applications, PRTDs, and appeals.
Our services include:
Don’t let your future in Canada slip away because of a technicality. With our help, your story can still be heard and your PR status restored.
Losing your Canadian permanent resident status can be overwhelming, especially if you’re abroad or facing unique challenges. Below are some of the most common questions we receive at Akrami & Associates, along with clear, actionable answers to help guide your next steps.
Q1: I didn’t meet the 730-day rule. Am I automatically losing my PR?
No, you are not automatically stripped of your permanent residency status.
Canada’s immigration law recognizes that life is complex. If you have valid humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) reasons for your extended absence such as medical emergencies, caregiving responsibilities, or travel restrictions you can apply to retain or restore your PR status despite falling short of the 730-day residency obligation.
Q2: Can I apply for H&C from outside Canada?
Yes, absolutely. You do not need to be physically in Canada to file a humanitarian and compassionate application.
Many of our clients submit H&C arguments while abroad, particularly when applying for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). This is common for individuals who:
As long as your case is supported by strong documentation and compelling reasoning, IRCC can approve your application even from outside the country.
Q3: Will having a Canadian child help my case?
Yes. A Canadian child can significantly strengthen your application.
The best interests of the child are a fundamental legal principle under Canadian immigration law. If your child is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and you are their primary caregiver, IRCC is legally obligated to consider how your absence or removal from Canada would negatively impact the child.
Whether the child resides in Canada or abroad, your ability to provide emotional, financial, and developmental support is considered essential. Cases involving Canadian children are among the most compelling under H&C review.
Q4: How long does an H&C application take to process?
Most PR Card Renewals with humanitarian and compassionate arguments take between 12 and 18 months to process.
Processing times vary depending on:
Keep in mind: a well-prepared submission that addresses all required elements from the start can avoid unnecessary delays.
Q5: Can Akrami & Associates help even if I’m outside Canada?
Yes. We work with clients around the world and can represent you remotely.
No matter where you are, our legal team at Akrami & Associates can:
We offer virtual consultations, email document review, and full legal representation no matter your location.
At Akrami & Associates, we’ve helped countless clients across the globe successfully apply under humanitarian grounds even after they thought their journey in Canada was over. If you’re worried about losing your Canadian permanent residency, don’t wait.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your future in Canada.
You worked hard to earn your permanent residency. Don’t let unforeseen events take it all away. Whether you’re inside or outside Canada, our team is ready to help you file a strong H&C application or PR appeal.
Contact Akrami & Associates today to book a consultation and let us help you protect your Canadian future.
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