Permanent Resident - Leave Canada to Visit Family

[ForumUser]

I received my PR Card in May 2015. I am married to my Canadian Husband, and work Part time in Belleville.

I wish to visit my family in Scotland for Christmas as my Dad has recently been diagnosed with Dementia. My husband may not be able to travel with me. Will I have trouble with my Residency or returning to Canada on my own? I can provide a letter from my Father’s Doctor if this is needed.

I look forward to your reply.

King Regards

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this.

You can find some detailed information in our Settlement.Org What are the residency requirements for permanent residents (PRs)? article.

Here is an excerpt here,

To meet these residency obligations, you must be physically present in Canada for at least730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

This means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period.

However, if you have been a permanent resident for less than 5 years and decide to leave the country for an extended period of time, it is up to you to prove to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you will be able to meet your residency requirements.

In terms of what is needed to re-enter Canada, you can find some information on the CIC website in the I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card? section.

Here is an excerpt,

Canada’s entry requirements are changing
Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.

Although it is not your situation that you do not have a PR card, you can note that “Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.”

This is the main factor. The fact that you are not travelling with your Canadian Citizen husband should not affect your re-entry to Canada.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org

[ValueCitizen]

I have a related question, I landed in Dec 26, 2013, but left after a week and then visit again for a week in august 10, 2016.
My pr card has a pretty since date of Dec 26, 2013 and an expiry date of Feb 28, 2019.
My question is that, when is 5 year counted from, from the date of my landing or date of expiry card on my profile card. I can think about moving back based on when my 5 years are counted from?

[PMM]

Hi

@ValueCitizen

I have a related question, I landed in Dec 26, 2013, but left after a week and then visit again for a week in august 10, 2016.
My pr card has a pretty since date of Dec 26, 2013 and an expiry date of Feb 28, 2019.
My question is that, when is 5 year counted from, from the date of my landing or date of expiry card on my profile card. I can think about moving back based on when my 5 years are counted from?

1. Date of “landing”. So if you only have been in Canada for 2 weeks in the past 3 years, then you have to come and remain in Canada for the next 2 years within the next 3 weeks, if you wish to maintain your PR status.