Important Maintaining PR obligation ... Staying over 6 months outside canada . .

[sarimraza]

Dear

Im aware of the condition to spend 2 years out of the first 5 years in order to maintain PR status and PRO . .

However, ive heard of some new recent requirement that says something like, if the PR holder spends more than 6 months outside canada, then the days he spent in canada previously would not be counted towards the persons PR days count

Kindly clarify this if its true

Thanks

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Dear

Im aware of the condition to spend 2 years out of the first 5 years in order to maintain PR status and PRO . .

However, ive heard of some new recent requirement that says something like, if the PR holder spends more than 6 months outside canada, then the days he spent in canada previously would not be counted towards the persons PR days count

Kindly clarify this if its true

Thanks

I imagine the requirement you are talking about is for applying for citizenship in Canada. Read the requirement below -

You may be eligible for Canadian citizenship

Adults may be able to obtain Canadian citizenship if they:

are permanent residents of Canada
have lived in Canada for at least 1,460 days during the six years immediately before the date of application for citizenship. They must also be physically present for at least 183 days during each of four calendar years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of application; and
meet all other requirements

Here's the link - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp

The below is the requirement for maintaining RO as a PR -

How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status?
Residency requirement

To maintain your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period. During this time you must be here physically.

The two years may not need to be continuous. An officer can confirm if your time in Canada counts when you:

re-enter Canada, or
apply for a permanent resident card.

Time spent outside Canada may also count towards the two years if you are:

travelling with your spouse or partner who is a Canadian citizen,
a childFootnote 1 travelling with his or her father or mother who is a Canadian citizen,
an employee of (or under contract to) a Canadian business.

It may also count if you are:

travelling with your spouse or partner who is a permanent resident and works full-time for:
a Canadian business, or
the public service of Canada or a province,
a child travelling with his or her father or mother who is a permanent resident and who works full-time for:
a Canadian business, or
the public service of Canada or a province.
an employee of (or under contract to) the public service of Canada or a province and you are on a full-time assignment to:
a position outside Canada,
a partner business outside Canada, or
a client of the Canadian business or the public service outside Canada.

Here's the link - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=727&t=10

So, in conclusion -

1) If you just need to meet the residency obligation, then, it is sufficient if you show presence in Canada for 2 years in any 5 year period. This need not be continuous. This is what I infer from the links provided above.

2) If you are planning to apply for citizenship, then you must have stayed 1460 days in Canada (at least 183 days per year) in the past 6 years.