Meet Your Residency Obligations

Verification of the fulfillment of residency obligations typically occurs when individuals seek renewal of their permanent resident card, application for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), or when applying for Canadian citizenship. Notably, assessments are based on the five years leading up to the application submission date to the visa office.

Individuals with less than five years as Canadian permanent residents can still apply for renewals of their residency cards or a PRTD, on the contingency that they can illustrate an anticipated ability to meet the physical presence requirement within the prospective five-year period.  

Status Determination Protocols

Canadian permanent resident status can only be rescinded through an official determination of status. Whenever applications are made for either a PR card renewal or a PRTD, visa officials conduct a comprehensive examination to ensure that residency obligations have been satisfied and there are no other evident obstacles to renewal.

Until such an official adjudication is finalized, an individual retains their status as a permanent resident of Canada. Should a permanent recognize that they haven’t met their residency commitments, there is the option to voluntarily relinquish their permanent resident status.

The Nexus Between Residency and Provincial Nominee Programs

Both Canadian and permanent residents enjoy the right to reside and work in any Canadian province, as enshrined in Section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These privileges take effect upon activation of Canadian permanent resident status. However, PL Immigration points out that Canadian legislation stipulates a requirement for immigrants selected under provincial nominee programs to demonstrate a genuine intention to embody the nominating province.