Canadian permanent residency (PR) is a dream come true for many, especially for international students, temporary foreign workers, and families awaiting reunion.

Even if you get permanent resident status in Canada, you may still have ties, families, and responsibilities in your home country.

As a result, you may be required to travel back and forth regularly, and you may be required to remain longer than expected.

However, you are subject to a residency obligation that begins the day you sign your landing paper as a permanent resident.

As a result, knowing a few important things is critical for all permanent residents in Canada, particularly newly arrived permanent residents.

What can permanent residents do?

As a permanent resident, you get the most of the social benefits that Canadian citizens have, such as health care coverage.

You can reside, study, or work anywhere in Canada, and you can also apply for Canadian citizenship while meeting other eligibility requirements.

Furthermore, you can obtain legal protection in Canada under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

However, permanent residents cannot vote, run for political office, or hold some jobs that require high-level security clearance.

Permanent Resident’s Obligation to Stay in Canada

To maintain your Permanent Resident (PR) status, you must have spent at least 730 days in Canada in the last five years.

These 730 days do not have to be consecutive. Some of your time spent outside of Canada may also count toward the required 730 days.

How Do You Calculate Your Permanent Residency Obligation Days?

Have you lived in Canada for at least 2 years (730 days) in the last 5 years (go back 5 years from the day you signed your PR card renewal application)?

You are in compliance if you meet this condition. Please keep in mind that there is no requirement to stay in Canada for two years in a row; instead, cumulative days over the last five years can be counted.

Again, it cannot be any five-year period other than the five-year period preceding the date you signed your application.

If you meet this residency obligation, then you are good to renew your PR card and status for another 5 years.

Are you short on residency obligation days?

Yes, you can meet your residency requirement while staying outside Canada if any of the below-listed scenarios apply to you, if:

• You are or were working full-time for a Canadian business or organization, or the Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial government.
• You travelled with a spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen.
• You travelled with a spouse or common-law partner of a permanent resident working full-time outside Canada for a Canadian business or Canadian government organization.

Any days spent outside Canada in the above-listed scenario can also be counted towards the permanent residency obligation.

How Can You Lose Your Canadian Permanent Residency Status?

You won’t lose your PR status even if your PR card expires. You will only lose your PR status if an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal.

You can also decide to voluntarily renounce your PR status.

Your status can also be revoked if a removal order against you comes into force.