Residing Outside Canada For More Than 5 Years - Advice Sought

[Arlow]

Hello,
I am wondering if anyone had any advice regarding my situation as a PR holder.

I obtained my PR status in January 2011 and remained in Canada until August 2011, before moving abroad to work at an international school, where I am on a 3 year contract. My wife is a Canadian citizen, and although I know that we could move back to Canada at the end of my contract and still satisfy the 730 day requirement within a 5 year period, it is our intention to stay abroad for several more years.

My wife has declared herself non-resident and I am wondering if it would be best if I cancelled my PR status so that I do not have to pay Canadian taxes on my earnings abroad. Also, if I did this, would it be fairly straightforward to re-apply for PR status again in the future?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Leon]

There is no reason to cancel your PR. You can also have yourself listed as a non-resident for tax purposes. It really has nothing to do with your PR, just how you are taxed.

At the end of however many years you plan to stay abroad, you still meet the residency requirements as long as you have been living with your Canadian citizen spouse so it is very easy to get a travel document or renew your PR card if that is the case.