Canadian Citizen with PR spouse - Critical Immigration Questions

[canuck78]

We can fly to Canada twice even if we are called to fetch our PR cards as long as our status is maintained.

Our only concern is that if ever there is risk of any interview for physically collecting the cards, AND if my spouse’s explanation isn’t convincing to the immigration officer, then is it that we will be issued a departure order and in that case it might hamper my chances of sponsoring spouse again? Since spouse gets a departure order, she will have to run behind certificate of departure given by CBSA. I don’t know how that works and it will be too much of immigration stuff to deal with in addition to the already piling problems.

So my concern will be is travelling to Canada before expiration of cards and put in a new application for renewal a better choice OR I’ll just wait for cards to expire and apply for a stricter process i.e PRTD. Even If they reject PRTD there will be no departure order because we wont be inside Canada anyways, so if need arises I can sponsor them afresh without any questions on departure order in the PR sponsorship application

If they accept PRTD means our status is safe and we are assured of PR cards. Is this correct assumption?

I would appreciate your inputs.

Your situation is very rare so it is tough to predict how IRCC will treat your case. Agree that departure order is unlikely. If already living abroad IRCC would expect that your spouse would want to return home.

 

[appwarez]

I am a Canadian citizen, and my spouse is a Canadian permanent resident. We are planning to reside long-term in Our Home Country, where we own a home and will be living together continuously. My spouse will be considered a tax resident of Home Country and may be classified as a non-resident for Canadian tax purposes, while I will remain a Canadian citizen residing abroad. We are together from 8 years and she came to Canada on spousal work permit. Got PR with me and stayed with me throughout.

Our understanding is that, under current IRCC regulations, time spent outside Canada may count toward the permanent resident residency obligation if the PR is accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse. Based on this, we intend to maintain her PR status while residing together in Home Country.
We are maintaining comprehensive documentation, including:

• • Proof of marriage and my Canadian citizenship
  • Property ownership and property tax records in Home Country
  • Utility bills and shared residential address evidence
  • Joint and individual financial records reflecting the same address
  • Travel history and passport records
  • Lifestyle and cohabitation evidence over time

I would like your advice on the following points:

1. • Does our current plan sufficiently meet the residency obligation requirements for maintaining PR status under the “accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse abroad” provision?
   • Are there any risks or common pitfalls in long-term overseas residence that could affect PR status despite meeting this condition?
   • Is my spouse’s classification as a non-resident for Canadian tax purposes likely to have any indirect impact on IRCC’s assessment of residency compliance?
   • Are there any additional documents or structuring of evidence you would recommend to strengthen her PR card renewal application?
   • In the event of a detailed review or inquiry by IRCC, what is the best way to present or organize this documentation?

Our goal is to ensure full compliance with Canadian immigration requirements while residing abroad, and to avoid any issues during future PR card renewals or travel.

A permanent resident generally needs 730 days in Canada during each five-year period. So if the Canadian citizen and PR spouse genuinely live together abroad, the PR spouse can potentially count those days abroad toward the 730-day requirement.