If you get the PR, do you have to stay in Canada
- Thread starter albertj
- Start date
You don't, technically, have to live in Canada.
On paper, you just have to be physically present in Canada for 731 days within the past 5 years (and the five year period is rolling, so at any point in time, you need to go back five years, and be able to count at least 731 days that you have been physically present in Canada). In theory, you can simply stay these 731 days in a five rolling year period in hotels or something, and you should still, theoretically, satisfy the 'residency' requirement.
However, CBSA and IRCC are suspicious of PRs that are cutting it way too close, and the best way to prove physical presence is by bona-fide full-time residency in Canada (i.e., you are working full time in Canada, you have a place of residence in Canada, you live in Canada, etc).
On paper, you just have to be physically present in Canada for 731 days within the past 5 years (and the five year period is rolling, so at any point in time, you need to go back five years, and be able to count at least 731 days that you have been physically present in Canada). In theory, you can simply stay these 731 days in a five rolling year period in hotels or something, and you should still, theoretically, satisfy the 'residency' requirement.
However, CBSA and IRCC are suspicious of PRs that are cutting it way too close, and the best way to prove physical presence is by bona-fide full-time residency in Canada (i.e., you are working full time in Canada, you have a place of residence in Canada, you live in Canada, etc).
Citizenship is in fact 3 years in the 5 years preceding a citizenship application.
PR status never expires but to keep it an individual must spend 2 years in any 5 year period in Canada. What this means is each time you come back into Canada you could be assessed to confirm that you have spent at least 2 years in Canada in the 5 years preceding entry into Canada. If you do not meet this requirement your PR status could be revoked.
It is obviously not recommended, lol.Man...that's an expensive hotel stay.....146.2 days every year for 5 year.....make sure you sign up for the frequent user card!
But I'm assuming it would be very hard to prove your days if you solely stay in hotels (and you would have dozens, if not hundreds, of addressed within the past five years).
The best way to satisfy residency obligation is to actually reside in Canada (in addition, of course, to having the requisite number of days of physical presence), work in Canada, have a place to stay in Canada, have property in Canada, etc.
What's the point of being a PR if you want to live in the US? Become a PR in the US, get a green card and do your thing there..