Can You Hold Both Canadian Permanent Residency and a U.S. Green Card at the Same Time?

Learn how to maintain both Canadian PR and U.S. Green Card status simultaneously, including residency requirements and important tips.

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Yes, you can have both Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) and a U.S. Green Card simultaneously. However, maintaining both statuses requires careful attention to the residency obligations of each. For Canadian PR, you must physically be in Canada for at least 730 days within a five-year period. Similarly, to keep your U.S. Green Card, you must not abandon your residency, which generally means making the U.S. your permanent home and not staying outside the U.S. for more than a year without obtaining a re-entry permit. Planning and managing your time between the two countries is crucial.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Can I keep my U.S. Green Card if I live mostly in Canada? To maintain your U.S. Green Card, you must not abandon your residency, which generally requires living in the U.S. as your permanent home and avoiding stays outside the U.S. of more than one year without a re-entry permit.
  2. What are the residency requirements to keep Canadian Permanent Residency? You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within any five-year period to maintain your Canadian PR status.
  3. Is it legal to hold Canadian PR and a U.S. Green Card at the same time? Yes, it is legal to hold both statuses simultaneously as long as you meet the residency and other legal requirements of both Canada and the United States.