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How Long Can I Stay Outside Canada? 

ForumUser
ForumUser
Posts: 539


Posted On: 5/16/2017
ForumUser
ForumUser
Posts: 539
If I just arrive in Canada and stayed here for a month with a Landed Immigrant status but need to go back to wrap up my business back home, how long could I stay out of the country?
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4063


Posted On: 5/18/2017
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4063
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

If you are referring to doing your landing and then leaving, many of our users have reported that they have successfully landed and then left Canada shortly after landing.

If you do this, it is important that you are aware of your requirements as a permanent resident and how long you can stay outside Canada. You can find additional information in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for Permanent Residents? article.

You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

It does not really matter when in the five year period as long as the sum of all stays is 730 days.

However, if this is your plan, you should ensure that you will be able to meet your residency requirements. Many of our users have suggested that, although this means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period, it is wise to not stay out for the full period. This way, if in the event that you are in Canada and must leave for reasons of an emergency or something similar, you will have the time available.

You may need to look at some information related to returning to Canada and PR cards.

In terms of returning to Canada, you can find some information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the I need to leave Canada and I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card? question.

You can also find some additional information on the IRCC website in the I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada? section.

Here is an excerpt,

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with your Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are in Canada and do not have a permanent resident, find out how to apply for a permanent resident card.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.

If you are outside Canada and plan to return to Canada by:

Private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.

By bus or train

You must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.

By air

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with you Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.


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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Gabrielle
Gabrielle
Posts: 1


Posted On: 5/23/2017
Gabrielle
Gabrielle
Posts: 1
Moderator wrote:
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

If you are referring to doing your landing and then leaving, many of our users have reported that they have successfully landed and then left Canada shortly after landing.

If you do this, it is important that you are aware of your requirements as a permanent resident and how long you can stay outside Canada. You can find additional information in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for Permanent Residents? article.

You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

It does not really matter when in the five year period as long as the sum of all stays is 730 days.

However, if this is your plan, you should ensure that you will be able to meet your residency requirements. Many of our users have suggested that, although this means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period, it is wise to not stay out for the full period. This way, if in the event that you are in Canada and must leave for reasons of an emergency or something similar, you will have the time available.

You may need to look at some information related to returning to Canada and PR cards.

In terms of returning to Canada, you can find some information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the I need to leave Canada and I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card? question.

You can also find some additional information on the IRCC website in the I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada? section.

Here is an excerpt,

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with your Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are in Canada and do not have a permanent resident, find out how to apply for a permanent resident card.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.

If you are outside Canada and plan to return to Canada by:

Private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.

By bus or train

You must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.

By air

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with you Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.


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



Thank You for the information that you shared.
link
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4063


Posted On: 5/23/2017
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4063
You are very welcome.


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