How the 5 years are counted
- If you've been a PR for 5 years or more, IRCC looks at the last 5 years.
- If you've been a PR for less than 5 years, you must be able to meet 730 days within 5 years of becoming a PR.
- Any part of a day in Canada counts as a full day.
Time outside Canada that counts
Some days abroad count toward your 730 days, including time:
- accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner, or a Canadian citizen parent if you're a child
- working full time outside Canada for a Canadian business or the Canadian public service (or accompanying a PR spouse or parent doing so)
These rules have specific conditions, so keep documents proving the relationship or employment.
What happens if you fall short
- You don't lose status automatically. You stay a PR until there's an official decision.
- Your status can be examined when you renew your PR card, apply for a travel document, or return at the border.
- An officer can consider humanitarian and compassionate reasons, such as illness or caring for a family member.
- A decision that you've lost status can usually be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division within the deadline.
How to protect your status
- Keep a travel log with every exit and entry date.
- Count your days before long trips abroad.
- Keep proof of time that counts outside Canada.
- Get advice before you travel if you're close to the limit, or before you renew your PR card.
PR days vs citizenship days
Don't confuse the two: citizenship needs 1,095 days in the last 5 years, and time abroad doesn't count the same way. See our citizenship guide.
Next steps
- Renewing soon? Read PR card renewal.
- Planning citizenship? See the citizenship application guide.
- Status questioned at the border? Our refusals service covers appeals.