A permanent resident has similar benefits as Canadian citizens. However, unlike citizens, they must maintain their status by meeting certain requirements like the residency of obligation. Here’s how long do Canadian PRs need to stay in Canada. 

To maintain your permanent resident status, you must be physically present in Canada for a minimum of two years in the last five years. This period of two years doesn’t need to be continuous & will be assessed on a rolling basis. 

Moreover, some of the days you spend abroad might contribute to those two years. You might be able to apply some of your time spent outside Canada towards your permanent resident status if you fulfill one of the following conditions: 

  • You work outside Canada
  • You travel with a common-law partner/ spouse
  • You are a dependent child & travel with your parents

In case you work outside Canada, you need to work full-time for a Canadian organization/ employer or Canadian federal, territorial, & provincial government for the days to count towards your physical presence in Canada. 

In addition, if you travel with a spouse/ common-law partner, your partner needs to be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen working outside Canada full-time for a Canadian business or Canadian government. 

Suppose you are a dependent child and travel with your parents. In that case, your parents need to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents working outside of Canada full-time or for a Canadian business or government. 

Can One Leave Canada For More Than Six Months? 

You may leave Canada for more than six months as long as you meet the residency requirements stated above. However, it is recommended that you wait to do so until you have your permanent resident card. 

Your PR card is your proof of residency in Canada. It can also act like a photo ID & is used at ports of entry to prove your status as a permanent resident to enter Canada when returning from abroad. 

If you do not have a PR card, you will have to apply for a PRTD, i.e., a Permanent Residence Travel Document, before you re-enter Canada. This document is for permanent residents outside of Canada who require proof of their status so that they can return to Canada. Moreover, this document is temporary & primarily exists for the sole purpose of helping Canadian permanent residents who do not have a PR card yet or whose PR card has expired. 

What Happens If One Doesn’t Fulfill The Residency Requirements? 

How long do Canadian PRs need to stay in Canada? Well, in addition to this, the issue of whether a permanent resident has met their residency requirement will be brought to IRCC’s attention when they submit a PR card renewal application or when they are entering Canada via a port of entry. 

If the IRCC officer finds that you have not met the requirement, you might be found inadmissible & can lose your permanent resident status. Moreover, you will be able to appeal the decision to the Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada’s Immigration Appeal Division. This is called a residency obligation appeal. 

The law makes exceptions for permanent residents (PRs) who were outside Canada during a five-year period for allowable reasons. In order to win your appeal, you have three alternatives: 

    • Prove that you were in Canada for the given time. 
    • Prove that you had an ‘allowable reason’ for being outside Canada. 
    • Show that there are humanitarian and compassionate reasons for your appeal, even if you didn’t comply with your residency obligation.