August 30, 2025
Can You Lose Your Canadian Permanent Resident Status?
Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) is a major milestone for newcomers. However, unlike citizenship, permanent residency status isn’t automatically guaranteed forever. While PR holders enjoy many rights and protections, there are certain situations where this status can be lost.
The good news? An expired PR card does not mean you’ve lost your status—it only affects your ability to return to Canada by plane, train, bus, or boat. But there are other reasons that can lead to the loss of PR status. Let’s break them down.
1. Failing to Meet Residency Obligations
To maintain PR status, you must live in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within any 5-year period. These days do not need to be consecutive, and in some cases, time spent abroad can still count towards your residency requirement if:
- You are employed full-time outside Canada by a Canadian business, organization, or government (federal, provincial, or territorial), or
- You are traveling with a spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen or PR working full-time abroad for a Canadian employer.
- Dependent children traveling with a qualifying parent may also count this time.
Pro tip: Keep a record of your travels. IRCC even provides a downloadable Travel Journal to track entry and exit dates, destinations, and reasons for travel.
2. Inadmissibility to Canada
While permanent residents have strong rights, they can still be found inadmissible to Canada in specific cases.
Serious Criminality
You may lose your PR status if:
- You are convicted of an offence in Canada punishable by a maximum sentence of at least 10 years, or
- You receive a prison sentence of 6 months or longer, or
- You are convicted of an offence outside Canada that would be punishable by at least 10 years under Canadian law.
Options such as criminal rehabilitation, deemed rehabilitation, or Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) may be available to overcome inadmissibility.
Misrepresentation
Providing false or incomplete information to IRCC is another reason for losing PR status. Examples include:
- Submitting altered or fraudulent documents,
- Omitting important details in your application,
- Misstating your medical, employment, or educational history.
Consequences are severe: removal from Canada, fines, and up to a 5-year re-entry ban.
3. Voluntarily Giving Up PR Status
Many PRs happily give up their permanent resident status after becoming Canadian citizens. This is a positive reason for losing PR status, as citizenship comes with even greater rights, including:
- The right to vote and run for office,
- Access to jobs requiring high-level security clearance,
- The ability to pass on Canadian citizenship to children born abroad,
- Full protection from deportation (if you are not a dual citizen),
- Freedom from PR residency obligations,
- The right to a Canadian passport—with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries worldwide.
Key Takeaway
Yes, it’s possible to lose your Canadian PR status—but in most cases, this happens only if you fail to meet residency requirements, become inadmissible, or voluntarily transition to Canadian citizenship. With proper planning and compliance, most permanent residents never face these issues.
How MyWorld Immigration Can Help
At MyWorld Immigration, we specialize in helping clients maintain, protect, and transition their Canadian immigration status. Whether you need guidance on residency obligations, PR renewal, inadmissibility issues, or citizenship applications, our experts are here to support you every step of the way.
Our Services:
- Express Entry & PR Applications
- PR Card Renewal & Appeals
- Work & Study Permits
- Spousal & Family Sponsorships
- Visitor & Business Visas
- Citizenship Applications
Phone/WhatsApp: +1-672-399-0000
Email: info@myworldimmigration.com
Website: www.myworldimmigration.com
Instagram: @myworldimmigration
Office: Unit 3236, Cityscape Landing Plaza, 4310 104 Ave NE, Calgary, AlbertaEmail: info@myworldimmigration.com
Instagram: @myworldimmigration.