I'm a dual US/Italian citizen with Nexus. My PR expires mid 2028. I have 6 months already in Canada over the last 3.5 years and I'm hoping to spend at least 18 of the next 30ish months in Canada to keep my PR. Currently I'm unemployed and am living off of savings, but hope to find a job sometime this year in Canada. When I entered today at a land border with my Nexus card, I told the border agent I live in California and I'm visiting Vancouver for 2 months. He then interrogated me about my PR status and asked if I was aware of my residency requirements, and I told him I was. He asked to see my PR card. This is the first time I've been asked for the PR card at the border - usually just my Nexus card is enough. I was a bit flustered so I didn't have the presence of mind to ask if there was any issue or how many days his system says I've spent in Canada.
Does IRCC count time spent as a visitor in Canada towards residency obligations? Or should I have told him I am moving here for the two months I plan on spending here before returning back to California (if I don't find a job here in the meantime)? Is there even a difference in the status based on what you tell the border agent? Should I go back to the border to reenter and tell the border agent I plan on living in Canada for the days to count towards RO?
Does IRCC count time spent as a visitor in Canada towards residency obligations? Or should I have told him I am moving here for the two months I plan on spending here before returning back to California (if I don't find a job here in the meantime)? Is there even a difference in the status based on what you tell the border agent? Should I go back to the border to reenter and tell the border agent I plan on living in Canada for the days to count towards RO?