Obligations

Permanent residents must be in Canada two years in every five-year period. If they are outside Canada for extended periods of time, they can still add residency days if they are:

• Accompanying a Canadian spouse or common-law partner
• Are a child accompanying a parent
• Employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or the Public Service of Canada; or the accompanying spouse, common-law partner or child of a permanent resident who is outside Canada and who is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or the Public Service of Canada.

If you have questions about meeting these requirements please contact us for more information or assistance.

If Residency Obligations are not met

If residency obligations are not met it may result in the loss of permanent residence status.

• In Canada: CIC officers may issue a departure order that requires that person to leave Canada.
• Abroad: CIC officers may inform that person in writing that they have failed to meet their residency obligations.

Appeals

Permanent residency status will be lost if the decision is not appealed.

Permanent residents, in Canada or abroad, who a CIC officer decides have failed to meet their residency obligations, can appeal to the IAD of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Contact us if you need assistance or support with your appeal.