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Doctoral Research Time Abroad for PR 

OGMC
OGMC
Posts: 1


Posted On: 10/29/2016
OGMC
OGMC
Posts: 1
Hello everyone,

I have a consultation about time spent abroad for keeping my PR. My spouze and I are both PR to Canada.

I am a PhD student at a university in Ontario, Canada. I am currently doing my PhD reseach which includes extensive travelling and staying abroad for long periods (four to six months at least two times a year during the next three years) doing field work. I have all the papers from the University allowing me to go abroad to do my research. Sopuze always travel with me and stay with me while I am doing my field work.

As a PhD student I am funding completely (tuition+ incidental fees + some money to live) by the University as a research assistant and University pays me each moth part of this funding. As a result of it I receive T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other Income) and T2202A is the Tuition & Education Amounts Certificate every year.

I am wonder if the time spent abroad doing my reseach counts to keep my PR and to apply for citizenship. Also, I wonder if this is also true for my spouze.

Thanks in advance for your help
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4075


Posted On: 11/3/2016
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4075
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

You can find some information in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for permanent residents (PRs)? article.

Here is an excerpt,

If you are outside Canada for extended periods of time, you can accumulate residency days if you are:


  • Travelling with a Canadian spouse or common-law partner, or are a child under 19 years of age accompanying a parent, or
  • Employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or the Public Service of Canada and are assigned a position outside of Canada, or
  • The 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 one of these circumstances is your case, it is important to note that the residency requirements are only met for permanent residency purposes, not for Canadian Citizenship purposes.

We recommend that you contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre directly for some information related to your type of situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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