time out of Canada

[toby]

If  permanent resident spends the first year in Canada, then the next 4 years out of Canada, then (somehow) re-enters Canada and stays the next 3 years in Canada, he/she will have spent 50% of the time in Canada, which is above the minimum requirement of 40%.

Will Canada consider him back on track, in conformity with the PR requirements, or will Canada say that he lost PR in the first 5 years (for spending only 25% of his time in Canada), and the subsequent 3 years don't count?

[Leon]

They only ever look at the last 5 years so if this PR got into Canada again with no questions asked, it would be enough for him to stay in Canada for 2 years to apply to renew his PR card.  They would then look at the previous 5 years, see that he's spent 2 of the previous 5 years in Canada which is meeting the residency requirements and give him a new card.  When a PR is in Canada, they can not question his PR status unless he applies to renew his PR card so it would be important not to apply to renew until he meets the requirements again.

[toby]

Thanks, Leon.  I have to post only another 5768 messages before I get "VIP Member" status like you, right?

I'd better get working.

[Leon]

Actually I think you only need 5000 total to get VIP status :)