Canadian permanent residents must spend at least 730 days in Canada within every five-year period to keep their PR status. Days don’t need to be consecutive, but the five-year period is rolling, not fixed from the landing date.
IRCC or CBSA can assess any five-year period immediately before a PR card renewal, a Permanent Resident Travel Document application, or a return to Canada at the border. For new PRs, officers check if they have already spent 730 days in Canada or can reach that number before their fifth anniversary.
Some time abroad counts, such as accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or parent, or working full-time for a qualifying Canadian business or public service employer. Many misunderstand the rules—working for a foreign subsidiary or multinational does not automatically qualify.
Residency issues usually appear at the first PR card renewal or when applying for a PRTD abroad. CBSA may also question travel patterns at the border. A formal report does not immediately cancel PR status but can trigger a review or removal process. Appeals may be possible.
The safest approach: live mostly in Canada for the first five years, keep accurate travel records, and document any qualifying exceptions.
