Parliament bill says that Temporary Resident or Protected Person but Canada Visa site says Temporary Resident such as (Work and Study)
Classes of temporary resident include visitors in addition to FNs admitted to Canada as temporary residents for study or work. (Applicable provisions in IRPA discussed in more depth in other topics.)
Main problem with counting time as a visitor has to do with proof.
There are two aspects to this.
_MK_ refers to one, that being specific proof to show actual presence. And yes, this can be a problem for many visitors who have no employment history in Canada for those days, and often less than complete proof to show an occupant's interest in a place of residence.
The other aspect has to do with the formalities of entering Canada. If the entry was documented, a formal TRV or TRP, a Visitor's Record, or such, then IRCC will have this information in the client's record. If this is the case, there is a lower risk of IRCC questioning the applicant's account of presence as to the time in Canada as a temporary resident (as a visitor). But if, for example, the person was allowed into Canada without specific formal documentation of the entry, such as a FN with a visa-exempt passport waived into Canada, there is then a much higher risk that IRCC will make a request for documentation as to entry, status, and presence. This will render the application
non-routine. Most applicants will do well to avoid circumstances rendering their case non-routine. In other words, the path to citizenship may be faster if the prospective applicant waits longer to apply, so as to not rely on time as a visitor.
Remember you will still need at least 3 tax returns.
Clarification: the requirement is to comply with tax filing obligations. There is no requirement to have filed 3 tax returns. Thus, for example, the requirement can be met based on years in which no return was filed so long as the applicant did not have an obligation to file that tax year.