Is physical absence enough to meet citizenship RO?

[a_ch_]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the physical presence requirement for Canadian citizenship.


I became a permanent resident in October 2021, but I’ve been outside Canada for approximately three years since then. I would really appreciate any advice or insight into my current residency obligation situation for citizenship purposes.


My residency background in Canada:

• Arrived in Canada in August 2017 with a study permit (Quebec).
• From 2019 to 2021, I lived in Canada on both a work permit and a visitor visa.
• I was initially issued a one-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in December 2018 instead of three years. Eventually, I received a corrected PGWP with a three-year duration, backdated to the same start date. During this period, I held visitor record status for nearly a year.
• Worked in Quebec from 2020 to 2021 (approximately one year) after renewing my PGWP.
• Became a permanent resident in October 2021 through Quebec.
• Left Canada in November 2021.
• Returned to Canada in October 2024 and have been living in Alberta since then. I have not been working during this time.

Based on this timeline, does my physical presence in Canada meet the citizenship residency requirements? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you!

 

[Seym]

Easy calculation : no. You need at least 2 years as a PR, plus some time pre-PR counted 50% if needed to reach the 3years that make you eligible. You've only spent 1 months in 2021 and 7 months since last October as a PR.
2 years of PR leads us to September 2026, but then the eligibility period being September 2021 to September 2026, you won't have enough pre-PR credit to get the last year.
So, in practice, forget about all the days before October 2024, only those since you came back to Alberta will help you reach the 1095 days within 5 years that you need. You'll be eligible in October 2027 + any time you spend outside Canada by then.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the physical presence requirement for Canadian citizenship.


I became a permanent resident in October 2021, but I’ve been outside Canada for approximately three years since then. I would really appreciate any advice or insight into my current residency obligation situation for citizenship purposes.


My residency background in Canada:

• Arrived in Canada in August 2017 with a study permit (Quebec).
• From 2019 to 2021, I lived in Canada on both a work permit and a visitor visa.
• I was initially issued a one-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in December 2018 instead of three years. Eventually, I received a corrected PGWP with a three-year duration, backdated to the same start date. During this period, I held visitor record status for nearly a year.
• Worked in Quebec from 2020 to 2021 (approximately one year) after renewing my PGWP.
• Became a permanent resident in October 2021 through Quebec.
• Left Canada in November 2021.
• Returned to Canada in October 2024 and have been living in Alberta since then. I have not been working during this time.

Based on this timeline, does my physical presence in Canada meet the citizenship residency requirements? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you!

Agreed with the advice given above. You are unfortunately nowhere close to qualifying for citizenship at this time.

I would also caution you on how much time you spend outside of Canada in the next year and a half or so. Since you were outside of Canada for almost three years after becoming a PR, you don't have much of a buffet for meeting the PR residency requirements.

 

[YVR123]

• Became a permanent resident in October 2021 through Quebec.
• Left Canada in November 2021.
• Returned to Canada in October 2024 and have been living in Alberta since then. I have not been working during this time.

Based on this timeline, does my physical presence in Canada meet the citizenship residency requirements? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Since you have only been living in Canada since Oct 2024, you only have 6 months + ~1 month back in 2021.
As others have replied, you will need at least 2 years of living in Canada as PR to meet citizenship residency requirements.
Even if you do not travel at all, it will be in Oct 2026 before you meet that. And after that, only days within 5 years counts.
So your temp resident days can't really be counted toward your citizenship.