Residency Obligation
Canadian permanent residents have the right to enter and live in Canada, but they may lose their permanent residency status is they do not meet the residency obligations.
Two years (730 days) of “residency days” must be accumulated in every five-year period. Residency days need not be consecutive and may be accumulated inside or even outside Canada in the following ways:
Inside Canada:
By physical presence
Outside Canada in the following ways:
- By accompanying a spouse/common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen
- As a child accompanying a parent
- By employment on a full-time basis with a Canadian enterprise or the Public Service of Canada
- By accompanying a Canadian permanent resident who is outside Canada and who is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian enterprise or the Public Service of Canada as the employee’s spouse/common-law partner or child.
The calculation of residency days for a person who has been a Canadian permanent resident for more than five years will be limited to the five years immediately preceding the examination. Persons who have been Canadian permanent residents for less than five years must demonstrate that they will be able to meet the residency requirement during the five-year period immediately following their becoming a Canadian permanent resident.
Canadian permanent residents who plan to re-enter Canada by common carrier (plane, train, bus, boat) will have to show their Canadian Permanent Resident Card or Temporary Travel Document before boarding.
Canadian citizenship is voluntary and may be applied for after three (soon to be four) years of residence in Canada.
Canada recognizes multiple citizenship- you can have more than one passport.
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For more information on how to retain your residency and PR card,contact us today!