Does Canadian citizenship require a certain amount of residency?

In order to maintain your permanent resident status (PR) in Canada, you must meet a residency requirements.

In other words, to avoid losing PR status, those who immigrate to this country must reside in Canada for a minimum of 730 days* over the last five years.

*The 730 days (two years) used to meet the PR residency requirement do not need to be continuous

In some cases, the time spent outside Canada can count towards the 730 day residency requirement for Canadian PRs. This could, for example, apply to PRs that travel abroad or work abroad (for a Canadian company or organization, or a federal or provincial government), or who travel with their spouse/commonlaw partner. Children who are PRs and must travel with parents may also be able to count their time abroad towards the residency requirement.

The Cohen Immigration Law Firm offers a free consultation on Canadian citizenship

Details on who is eligible to have their time abroad counted towards Canada’s PR residency requirement can be found on this Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
(IRCC) help centre page.

Does Canadian citizenship require a certain amount of residency?

While a residency requirement is imposed on those with valid PR status in Canada, it is understandable that some foreign nationals – particularly people who are in the early stages of considering the transition from PR to Canadian citizen – may be unclear about whether there is a similar requirement once they obtain citizenship.

More: Do I need to become a Canadian citizen after gaining permanent residence?

Canadian citizens are not subject to any residency requirements. As a Canadian with a Canadian passport you can travel abroad as long as you like without worrying about losing your citizenship. (More on this below).

You may lose your Canadian citizenship for a variety of reasons

IRCC explains that a Canadian citizen can lose their citizenship for three reasons. These include:

• False Representation/Misrepresentation
• Fraud
• Knowingly concealing material facts

Note: Material circumstances can include things like the length of time you have spent physically or residing in Canada.

Click here to learn morePlease contact the Government of Canada for more information about the revocation of Canadian Citizenship.

Find out more about the PR status of Canadians

This section will also cover some other important areas related to understanding the PR status in Canada. More information can be found at This page is provided by the Government of Canada.

The importance and use of a PR card

A Canadian immigrant’s PR cardIt is proof of their PR status. It is used as an identification document for those who are returning or leaving Canada. It must be presented along with a passport, refugee travel document, or other official document.).

Travellers who are not in possession of a valid PR card and intend to travel outside Canada must apply for one. Permanent Resident Travel Document(PRTD) before returning to Canada

What Canadian PRs Can and Cannot Do

As a Canadian PR you cannot vote or run for a political office in Canada. PRs are not allowed to work in certain jobs which require a high-level of security clearance.

You can also benefit from a number of benefits as a PR in Canada. They include:

• Eligibility for “most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive”, including a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for work in Canada and health insurance coverage
• You can work, live and study anywhere in Canada
• Eligibility to apply Canadian citizenship
• “Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms”

Why PRs could lose their status

The four main reasons why a PR can lose their status include:

• What if an IRCC officer? “determines [the individual is] no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal”
• If someone renounces their PR status voluntarily
• When someone is the subject of a removal order
• What happens if someone becomes a Canadian citizen?

Note:Even if they don’t meet the residency requirements, PRs in Canada will not lose their status if IRCC issues a status decision.

Click here to learn moreFor more information about why a Canadian PR could lose their status, click here.

The Cohen Immigration Law Firm offers a free consultation on Canadian citizenship