What should/Can I do to keep my PR Status ?

Hi guys,

I'm a bit new here so I'm not really sure of the processes involved.

I have a situation and I don't really understand what to make of it.

 

A few months ago I applied for a Canadian Visitor's visa for which I got rejected from due to me having unknowingly PR status so I was sent a document that would let me drop PR status in order to receive the Visa but I want to keep the PR status that I only just found out about.

 Apparently 30 years back my Father applied and successfully got PR status for me through sponsorship he had at the same time sponsored my brother. 

My brother went through a financial situation where he couldn't be supported so my father was sent in to "default" and so he believed that my application would fail. 

He never looked in it to so my documents were approved but I had never gotten the opportunity to receive the PR documentation or the landing documents as I had not been able to travel to Canada at the time.

 Now however I would like to act upon the reception of this status though it was a very long time ago I wish to appeal the case in order to either get the status formally seen as lost (to try another application for PR) or to keep the status itself as neither I nor anyone else were aware of the status.

 So Far going through the nearest Canadian embassy hasn't helped as they only seem to tell me to relinquish thestatus which is something I really don’t want to do without knowing everything. Is there some way I can get

information on what to do about my status or situation?

N.B.  The embassy seems reluctant to give any documentation about my PR status but have confirmed that it exists.

I concur with what PMM has posted.

I understand why you have questions: For many in related situations (particularly situations where a child becomes a PR, as an accompanying dependent, but then does not really live in Canada for many, many years, is more common than one might think) there are various factors which may be worth examining in considering whether there is reason to pursue H&C grounds for retaining PR status, but frankly there is no hint, in the circumstances you have shared, of factors which would offer you hope in this regard. The duration of continued absence from Canada after becoming an adult alone weighs heavily against making a viable H&C case for retaining PR status. Not knowing you had such status does not favour you.

Bottom-line, with emphasis

PMM wrote: It would be simpler just to renounce [any PR status you may or may not have had].

Applying for a PR Travel Document, explaining that you did not even know you had been a PR, but now that you know you are a PR it is your goal to BE a PR and move to Canada and live in Canada might be successful - I think it is dubious, but it very much depends upon the strength of the case that you build for doing so.

As PMM said, if you do apply for a PRTD and it is refused AND you don't appeal the refusal, then you will no longer be a PR of Canada and can apply for a TRV.  I'd expect that process will take quite a bit of time though.

I think it is very unlikely you will be successful, but one thing I have learned about CIC - the only way you get an answer is to submit an application and let them decide.