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Canada PR residency: the 730‑day obligation

Residence & citizenship · AmericasChecked Updated

Canada PR residency

Residence & citizenship
730days present in each 5-year period

A permanent resident meets the residency obligation by being physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within each 5-year period.1

Window
During your first 5 years as a permanent resident, the period starts on your PR date. After that, it is the 5 years immediately before the examination.2
In a row?
The 730 days do not need to be consecutive. The law adds each day of physical presence in the period.1
Days abroad that count
Some days abroad count as days in Canada, including time accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or working full time for a Canadian business.3

Worked example

Days still left in the first period matter

  1. You became a permanent resident on 10 January 2023. On 27 October 2026, your first 5-year period still runs to 9 January 2028.2How we count: The first period begins on the PR date and lasts 5 years.
  2. One trip from 1 March 2023 to 1 September 2025 accounts for 914 days outside. Of the 1,386 days elapsed in the period, 1,386 - 914 = 472 were days present.1How we count: The research case counts 1,386 elapsed days through 26 October 2026 and 914 full days outside, leaving 472 present.
  3. There are 440 days left, including 27 October. You need 730 - 472 = 258 more days present, so 440 - 258 = 182 of the remaining days can still be outside Canada.1How we count: 730 - 472 = 258. 440 - 258 = 182.

The rule it rests on: A permanent resident meets the residency obligation by being physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within each 5-year period.1 During your first 5 years as a permanent resident, the period starts on your PR date. After that, it is the 5 years immediately before the examination.2

Questions people ask

How many days must a Canadian permanent resident be in Canada?

A permanent resident meets the residency obligation by being physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within each 5-year period.1

Which 5-year period applies to me?

During your first 5 years as a permanent resident, the period starts on your PR date. After that, it is the 5 years immediately before the examination.2

Do the 730 days have to be consecutive?

The 730 days do not need to be consecutive. The law adds each day of physical presence in the period.1

Can time outside Canada count toward the 730 days?

Some days abroad count as days in Canada, including time accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or working full time for a Canadian business.3

Sources

3 laws, each with its exact words
  1. Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 28(2)(a) · Department of Justice Canada · read 27 Oct 2026
    Exact words on each of a total of at least 730 days in that five-year period
  2. IRPA, s. 28 five-year window · Department of Justice Canada · read 27 Oct 2026
    Exact words the five-year period immediately before the examination
  3. IRPA, s. 28 days abroad that count · Department of Justice Canada · read 27 Oct 2026
    Exact words outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen who is their spouse or common-law partner
Checked against Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 28 on 27 Oct 2026 Updated 26 Oct 2026

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