@ Motown, Let us assume you apply in 2013(May) and the CIC keeps to the promise of getting visa within 1yr. U may get visa in April 2014 and have a permanent resident status for 5yrs after landing.This takes u to 2019. For you to maintain ur PR status, u only need 2yrs in Canada out of 5yrs. See the quote below from Service Canada website "In order to maintain their status, permanent residents must meet the residency requirement of living in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period." I think u can get that 2yrs including spending your holidays in Canada.The only thing is that u must land in Canada before ur visa expires.If u want issuance of ur visa to delay, u may tactically delay ur response to any request from the visa office till almost the end of time allowed.This can give u extra 4-6months.This is my personal view based on small information I have on Canadian Immigration, it will be good if u allow the wise men in the forum to counsel u more. Good luck.