How long do I need to be in Canada for When I Land?

[Jammie418]

Hi All,

I understand I need to land in Canada less than 12 months since my medicals are completed or my passport expires.

Can anyone confirm how long I need to be in the country for? I would like to arrive and do the landing meeting and then leave again and come back a few months later. Is that allowed? I have family there who's address I can use for any documents that need sending and I am sure they can forward them onto me if needs be.

Thanks,

 

[kryt0n]

You can get on the next plane out.

To maintain pr you need to be in the country cumulatively 2 years out of 5.

 

[Tatya_Vinchu]

You can get on the next plane out.

To maintain pr you need to be in the country cumulatively 2 years out of 5.

Good that you brought it up. I used to think it was 3/5. So in these 2 years is there a requirement that you need to visit Canada every 6 months or so? Eg. Can i live for first year complete, then live outside Canada for 3 years and then again live in canada for another year to meet the 2/5 requirement? Just curious.

 

[Bs65]

Good that you brought it up. I used to think it was 3/5. So in these 2 years is there a requirement that you need to visit Canada every 6 months or so? Eg. Can i live for first year complete, then live outside Canada for 3 years and then again live in canada for another year to meet the 2/5 requirement? Just curious.

Others can correct me but the initial 5 year period starts from when you land to become a PR so in that initial 5 years you must spend a minimum of 730 days physically in Canada. That 730 days can be accumulated in the 5 year period so does not have to be 2 years straight. In your example the onus would be on you to demonstrate with proof that you spent 1 year in/ 3 years out / 1 year in to accumulate 2 years in that initial 5 years.

Once you have been an initial PR for 5 years then the 5 year period becomes a 'rolling' 5 years each time you land but you still cannot stay out of the country more than 3 years cumulatively at a time in the preceeding 5 year period at the time of landing, any longer and you could be reported for failing RO or need to stay 2 years straight without leaving the country to reset RO.

Not sure understand the visit Canada every 6 months or so as you cannot maintain residency by simply touching down every 6 months or so and leave again you need to be physically present in Canada to accumulate 2 years in 5 years doing a touch and go every 6 months if that is what you are maybe suggesting would not work..


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=727&top=4

 

[Tatya_Vinchu]

Others can correct me but the initial 5 year period starts from when you land to become a PR so in that initial 5 years you must spend a minimum of 730 days physically in Canada. That 730 days can be accumulated in the 5 year period so does not have to be 2 years straight. In your example the onus would be on you to demonstrate with proof that you spent 1 year in/ 3 years out / 1 year in to accumulate 2 years in that initial 5 years.

Once you have been an initial PR for 5 years then the 5 year period becomes a 'rolling' 5 years each time you land but you still cannot stay out of the country more than 3 years cumulatively at a time in the preceeding 5 year period at the time of landing, any longer and you could be reported for failing RO or need to stay 2 years straight without leaving the country to reset RO.

Not sure understand the visit Canada every 6 months or so as you cannot maintain residency by simply touching down every 6 months or so and leave again you need to be physically present in Canada to accumulate 2 years in 5 years doing a touch and go every 6 months if that is what you are maybe suggesting would not work..


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=727&top=4

Thanks for the detailed explanation. What I meant by the visit every 6 months requirement was that some countries mandate their permanent residents to not live outside the country for more than 6 months to keep their status active. This requirement is on top of the minimum period to live in the country requirement. So I was just curious if same was the case with Canada. But since its not stated anywhere on their official website, i guess they dont have that going which is good.

 

[AK_canada]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. What I meant by the visit every 6 months requirement was that some countries mandate their permanent residents to not live outside the country for more than 6 months to keep their status active. This requirement is on top of the minimum period to live in the country requirement. So I was just curious if same was the case with Canada. But since its not stated anywhere on their official website, i guess they dont have that going which is good.

6M minimum criteria will come in handy if/when u apply for a citizenship:

Have lived in Canada as a PR for at least 4 years out of the 6 years (1,460 days) before you apply
Be physically present in Canada for at least 183 days (6M) of each year during the 4-year period
Have filed your taxes for at least 4 years during the last 6 years and any income tax you may owe must be paid

 

[Tatya_Vinchu]

6M minimum criteria will come in handy if/when u apply for a citizenship:

Have lived in Canada as a PR for at least 4 years out of the 6 years (1,460 days) before you apply
Be physically present in Canada for at least 183 days (6M) of each year during the 4-year period
Have filed your taxes for at least 4 years during the last 6 years and any income tax you may owe must be paid

Oh I see. Good to know. Thanks (+1) to both.