OBLIGATIONS AS A CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENT

The day you land in Canada and sign your landing papers, is the day when your permanent residency obligations begin.  Below will outline the obligations and benefits as a permanent resident (PR).

Permanent Residency Obligations to stay in Canada

To maintain your PR status, you must spend at least 730 days (2 years) in the last five years.  These 730 days do not need to be consecutive.   

You can meet your residency obligations while you are outside Canada, if:

• You are or were working full-time for a Canadian business or organization or the Canadian, federal, provincial, or territorial government.
   
• You travelled with a spouse or common law partner who is a Canadian citizen.
   
• You travelled with a spouse or common law partner of a permanent resident working full-time outside Canada for a Canadian business or Canadian government organization.

Permanent Residency Benefits

As a permanent resident, you:

• Receive health coverage
• Can live, study, or work anywhere in Canada 
• Can apply for citizenship (once you have met your obligations)
• Can obtain legal protection in Canada under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.