An expired PR card does not, by itself, mean you have lost permanent resident status. It is still important to understand both your travel documents and your residency obligation.

The card and the status

A PR card is evidence of permanent resident status. Its expiry date matters when planning commercial travel back to Canada, but the card and the status are different things.

Keep track of time in Canada

The general residency obligation is at least 730 days in Canada in a five-year period. Those days need not be continuous. Some time outside Canada can count in specific circumstances. For newer permanent residents, the assessment also looks at whether the obligation can be met within the first five years.

Make the record as you go

Keep a simple list of departures and returns, with supporting travel records. Reconstructing several years of trips later can be frustrating. If you have spent substantial time abroad or are unsure whether an exception applies, have your circumstances assessed before relying on a general summary or planning more travel.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — Understand permanent resident status.

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