Returning to Canada

Do I need a returning resident permit?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you are a permanent resident of Canada, but not a Canadian citizen, and you have been outside Canada for six months or more (in law, 183 days) in any 12-month period, you must prove to an immigration officer at a Canadian port of entry that you have not abandoned Canada as your permanent residence. This is necessary whether the absence has been a series of short trips or one long one. A returning resident permit will assist you in demonstrating that you are a permanent resident who has travelled outside of Canada with the intention of maintaining your permanent residence status in Canada.

You may apply for a returning resident permit through a Canadian Immigration Centre before leaving Canada. If outside of Canada, you may apply for a returning resident permit at the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Returning Resident Permit

How long will my permit be valid for?

Permits are valid for the period of time stated on the form, usually no longer than 12 months. The period may in certain cases extend up to 24 months. If you cannot return to Canada within the validity of your permit, you will have to apply for a new one and provide satisfactory reasons for not making use of the permit within the time period granted.

Will I need to attend an interview?

After reviewing your application, a visa officer will decide if you must attend a personal interview. You will have to satisfy the visa officer that you have not abandoned Canada as your primary place of residence.

What are some common reasons for refusal?

Applicants may be rejected if they have not satisfied a visa officer that they did not intend to abandon Canada as his/her place of residence.

What should I do if my application for a returning resident permit is refused?

You may present your immigrant visa, as well as proof of reasons for absence, at a port of entry to have your case adjudicated.

What happens if I return to Canada without a permit?

If you have been outside Canada for extended periods, and you arrive at a port of entry without a returning resident permit, you must satisfy an immigration officer that your absence from Canada was temporary and that your intention was not to abandon Canada as your place of residence. To determine whether your absence was temporary, the examining officer will consider documents such as school certificates for studies abroad or medical certificates indicating extended treatment or hospitalization outside Canada. It is preferable to produce original documents, especially your immigrant visa.

What if I'm not allowed entry into Canada?

If you cannot satisfy an immigration officer at a port of entry that your absence from Canada was temporary, you may not be allowed back into the country. If you are denied entry into Canada, your case will be reviewed according to guidelines set out in Canada's Immigration Act. If, after this review, it is determined that you are not a returning resident to Canada, you will be required to leave. If you wish to regain permanent resident status, you must submit a new application for permanent residence status at a Canadian immigration office outside Canada. Remember, a returning resident permit is the best way to indicate that you did not intend to abandon Canada as your place of residence.