Permanent Resident Status

[amihanua]

Hi. I just want to ask, we (Me, my husband and two kids) arrived here in Winnipeg Canada last August 13, 2016. If ever we will go back to the Philippines within this year how long are we allowed to stay outside Canada? or can we still stay in the Philippines for like three years and can we still retain our Permanent Residen Status by then? And if ever we stay like two years in the Philippines during those times will the Childs tax benefit, GST, Rent Assist and any other benefit as a Canadian Permanent Resident will discontinue also? Please enlighten me.

Thanks and best regards.

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi. I just want to ask, we (Me, my husband and two kids) arrived here in Winnipeg Canada last August 13, 2016. If ever we will go back to the Philippines within this year how long are we allowed to stay outside Canada? or can we still stay in the Philippines for like three years and can we still retain our Permanent Residen Status by then? And if ever we stay like two years in the Philippines during those times will the Childs tax benefit, GST, Rent Assist and any other benefit as a Canadian Permanent Resident will discontinue also? Please enlighten me.

For PR Residency Obligation, you must spend 2 of every 5 years in Canada. So once you are outside Canada for 3 years, you will be in violation of the RO. So max time you can stay outside is 3 years less a day. It would not be a good idea to cut it this close though, since that would mean you must return to Canada and not leave for any reason during the next 2 years.

As for benefits, you need to check each benefit with CRA or appropriate government website to see if they require physical residency here. I'm sure some will be cut when you leave.

 

[pie_vancouver]

For CCB and GST/HST credit, you must be a Canadian resident, and you MUST inform CRA when you leave Canada for a long period of time and they will discontinue the benefits.

 

[Blueboy1980]

You need to have at least 2 years physically inside Canada over a 5 year period. Doesn't need to be 2 years in a row, just a total of at least 730 days. As for benefits, if you leave Canada for longer than a certain amount of time (I think 4 weeks or more but please double check) you must inform CRA.