Do I Need to Live in Canada to Maintain Permanent Residency?

Learn about the residency obligation for Canadian Permanent Residents and how to keep your status.

99 views

As a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR), you don't have to live in Canada, but to maintain your PR status, you must meet the residency obligation. You need to spend at least 730 days in Canada in the last 5 years. This can be spread out over the 5 years and doesn't need to be consecutive. Failing to meet this requirement can lead to the loss of your PR status.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What happens if I don't meet the residency obligation for PR? Failure to meet the residency requirement could result in losing your Permanent Resident status.
  2. Can time spent outside Canada count towards my PR residency requirement? No, time spent outside Canada does not count; you must reside in Canada for at least 730 days within the last 5 years.
  3. Are there exceptions to the PR residency requirement? Yes, there are certain circumstances that may exempt you from meeting the residency obligation, such as humanitarian considerations.

Watch More

If you're interested in understanding more about Canadian immigration policies, check out our videos on PR application processes and the benefits of Canadian residency.

  1. What Happens to Your Canada Permanent Residency If You Don't Move? Learn the implications of not moving to Canada after obtaining PR status and how to maintain your residency standing.
  2. Understanding Permanent Residency in Canada: Length of Stay Explained Learn about how long you can stay in Canada with permanent residency and the key obligations involved.
  3. How to Maintain Your Permanent Resident Status in Canada Learn how to keep your PR status in Canada and avoid losing it by meeting residency obligations.