Request for information on maintaining PR status

lifeafloat

New Member
Hi,

I received my PR status under the "Skilled Workers" category on 18 June 2005 and had lived 912 days in Canada prior to that date. The following is a list of my residence status in Canada:

June18, 2005 - November 22, 2005 : Lived in Canada
November 22, 2005 - January 11, 2006 : India for a vacation
January 11, 2006 - January 26, 2006 : Lived in Canada
January 26, 2006 - February 2, 2007 : Living in USA on student VISA

Presently, I am doing my PhD in USA, and expect to continue on student VISA until January 2009. After completing the degree I plan to go back to Canada.

As per the requirements of the immigration department, I must live in Canada for at least 2 years in every 5-year period to retain my PR status. However, the instructions on the immigration form read as below:

"If your application is successful, you and your family members will receive status as permanent residents of Canada. Some conditions will apply:
• You will remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen, as long as you spend at least two years of each five year period in Canada
• You may leave and re-enter Canada as often as you wish
• If you spend more than two years of a five-year period outside Canada, you may lose your permanent resident status (certain conditions apply)"

I would like to know whether the requirements are different for PR living outside Canada on student VISA and whether I can still retain my PR status after finishing my degree in USA.

I had filed my Income Tax in 2005 and intend to file it in 2006 as well. Will that help count days towards my living in Canada during the period I pay tax?

I shall be thankful for any information in this regard from the experts in the group.
 
I would like to know whether the requirements are different for PR living outside Canada on student VISA and whether I can still retain my PR status after finishing my degree in USA.

-- 2 yr residency requirement out of every 5 yr period is the same for everyone. You may explain your "student status" in the US, but the decision is taken by the immigration officer at the POE. If you do not satisfy the residency rule, your PR status is indeed in danger.

I had filed my Income Tax in 2005 and intend to file it in 2006 as well. Will that help count days towards my living in Canada during the period I pay tax?

-- No.
 
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