Residency obligation of Permanent Resident in Canada

Canadian permanent residency (PR) is a dream come true for many, especially for international students, temporary foreign workers, and families awaiting reunion. Even with PR status in Canada, you maintain ties, family, and responsibilities in your home country. Consequently, a residency obligation comes into effect from the day you sign your landing paper as a permanent resident.

To uphold your Permanent Resident (PR) status, you must have spent at least 730 days in Canada within the last five years. These days need not be consecutive, and time spent outside Canada can count towards the required 730 days. If you've lived in Canada for at least 2 years (730 days) within the last 5 years, you meet the condition. There's no requirement to stay in Canada for two consecutive years; instead, cumulative days over the last five years can be counted. Once you meet this residency obligation, you can renew your PR card and status for another 5 years.

In case you fall short of residency obligation days, there are scenarios where you can still meet the requirement:

1. Working full-time for a Canadian business or organization, or the Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial government.
2. Traveling with a spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen.
3. Traveling with a spouse or common-law partner of a permanent resident working full-time outside Canada for a Canadian business or Canadian government organization.

You won't lose your PR status even if your PR card expires. PR status is only lost if an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal. You can also voluntarily renounce your PR status, or it can be revoked if a removal order against you comes into force. Even if you don't meet the residency obligation, you remain a PR until an official decision is made on your status.

Rest assured, we are here to assist you in maintaining your permanent residency status in Canada.