PERMANENT RESIDENCY AND MARRYING OUTSIDE CANADA

[pinklakambini]

Hi, I am a hi, I am just wondering, I became a permanent resident last july of 2008. I stayed in canada for 10 months and left last may 2009. I left canada to finish my studies here in the philippines and planning to come back on april 2011 aftr my graduation. my PR card expires on 2013. Can i still go back to canada without loosing my status?

also, I am planning to marry next year before I go back to canada here in the philippines to my boyfriend for four years, will that affect my status as resident? and can I sponsor him after sometime? My parents are both in canada jsut to add up.

 

[cezvi]

The way I understand it, Canadian Permanent Residents can only be out of the country for a short period of time without losing their PR status.

I got this info from the CIC website:
Keeping your permanent resident status

Your permanent resident status allows you to live in Canada, but there is also a time limit on how long you can live outside the country. To keep your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period.

For further information on residency obligations, please see Appendix A of Applying for a Permanent Resident Card.

Losing your permanent resident status

There are several ways you could lose your permanent resident status:

* A permanent resident who does not meet their residency obligations could lose permanent resident status.

 

[wilson]

Hi, I am a hi, I am just wondering, I became a permanent resident last july of 2008. I stayed in canada for 10 months and left last may 2009. I left canada to finish my studies here in the philippines and planning to come back on april 2011 aftr my graduation. my PR card expires on 2013. Can i still go back to canada without loosing my status?

also, I am planning to marry next year before I go back to canada here in the philippines to my boyfriend for four years, will that affect my status as resident? and can I sponsor him after sometime? My parents are both in canada jsut to add up.

Maintaining Permanent Resident Status
Permanent residence status gives a non-Canadian the right to live in Canada. Permanent residents must comply with certain residency obligations to maintain their status.

Permanent residents comply with the residency obligation if, for at least 730 days in every five-year period:

they are physically present in Canada or,
they are outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen who is their spouse or common-law partner or, in the case of a child, their parent or,
they are outside Canada employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province or,
they are outside Canada accompanying a permanent resident who is their spouse or common-law partner or, in the case of a child, their parent, and who is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province or,
they are in possession of a returning resident permit issued before 28 June 2002.
On arrival in Canada, permanent residents will have to demonstrate to the immigration officer at examination at the point-of-entry that

they have met the residency obligation in respect of the five-year period immediately before the examination or,
they will be able to meet the residency obligation in respect to the five-year period from the date at which they became permanent residents.

You can sponsor your husband after marriage as per your eligibility:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse.asp

 

[AllisonVSC]

Thanks Wilson for the info. So, it is the responsibility of the PR to document that they've met the residency requirement? If so, what evidence can the PR provide?

My sponsor is a Canadian citizen, so if we move outside Canada together for whatever reason (retirement, for example), my time outside Canada also counts towards residency as long as I am living with him, correct?

Allison

 

[steaky]

Yes, you are correct that your time outside Canada also counts towards residency as long as you are accompanying your husband.

 

[AllisonVSC]

Yes, you are correct that your time outside Canada also counts towards residency as long as you are accompanying your husband.

Can I assume the rule is the same if my sponsor is not my husband? My visa is through conjugal partners Thanks, Allison