PR Residency Obligation (Not About For Citizenship Application)

[farukaktas]

Hi Everyone,

My question is not about the residency requirement of Citizenship Application, it is just about the PR residency obligation.

For instance, due to personal reasons, I will not apply for citizenship and want to keep my PR status.

I had been in Canada as a Temporary Resident from 01/2019 to 01/2021 (Student/Worker Visas)

1-) From my understanding, the time I spent as a temporary Resident does not count for the PR residency obligation and the PR residency count starts after the date that I became a Permanent Resident. Can you confirm for me?

Then I become a Permanent Resident on 01/2021.

2-) In order to maintain my PR status, Does Canada only consider the time period between 01/2021 - 01/2026 for 730 days of residency obligation?

For example, I was in Canada between 01/2021-01/2023 as a PR and spent 730 days here then I left and have been outside of Canada between 01/2023 – 01/2026, and I return back on 01/2026.

3-) Can I still maintain my PR status?

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Hi Everyone,

My question is not about the residency requirement of Citizenship Application, it is just about the PR residency obligation.

For instance, due to personal reasons, I will not apply for citizenship and want to keep my PR status.

I had been in Canada as a Temporary Resident from 01/2019 to 01/2021 (Student/Worker Visas)

1-) From my understanding, the time I spent as a temporary Resident does not count for the PR residency obligation and the PR residency count starts after the date that I became a Permanent Resident. Can you confirm for me?

Then I become a Permanent Resident on 01/2021.

2-) In order to maintain my PR status, Does Canada only consider the time period between 01/2021 - 01/2026 for 730 days of residency obligation?

For example, I was in Canada between 01/2021-01/2023 as a PR and spent 730 days here then I left and have been outside of Canada between 01/2023 – 01/2026, and I return back on 01/2026.

3-) Can I still maintain my PR status?

Thank you.

1) Yes, that's right.
2) It's a rolling five year period from the time you land. So yes, you need to spend a minimum of 730 days in Canada within the 01/2021 - 01/2026.
3) You can, however in that case you would then need to spend the next two years straight in Canada (01/2026 - 01/2028) to continue to meet the residency requirement.

 

[farukaktas]

1) Yes, that's right.
2) It's a rolling five year period from the time you land. So yes, you need to spend a minimum of 730 days in Canada within the 01/2021 - 01/2026.
3) You can, however in that case you would then need to spend the next two years straight in Canada (01/2026 - 01/2028) to continue to meet the residency requirement.

Thank you so much : D

 

[meyakanor]

For example, I was in Canada between 01/2021-01/2023 as a PR and spent 730 days here then I left and have been outside of Canada between 01/2023 – 01/2026, and I return back on 01/2026.

Yes, if you follow through with this, as of 01/01/2026 (assuming you're in Canada from 01/01/2021 - 01/01/2023 without leaving at all), you would be in compliance with the residency obligation.

HOWEVER, if after 01/01/2026 you are out of the country for even a single day (before 2028), then you will be in breach of the requirements. If you want to stay compliant, you need to stay put in Canada without leaving at all from 01/01/2026 to 01/02/2028.

It is a rolling five-year period, so at any point after 01/01/2026, you need to look back five years (but not more), and see whether you have at least 731 days.