Lorag13

Does anyone know how the 20 year rule of living in Canada works to be eligible to receive OAS?
How are the 20 years calculated? Simply from when you arrive to when you leave or is vacation time out of the country deducted?

BristolUK

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...ity/apply.html
The application form says "Residence is the period of time when you ordinarily reside and make your home in Canada"
The reference guide says "a temporary absence from Canada (for example, holidays) does not normally interrupt your Canadian residence if you continue to keep residential ties to Canada."

The application form also only asks for residency outside Canada exceeding 6 months - presumably not vacation if that long - and even then it says "Certain absences from Canada may be included as residence in Canada (example: military or diplomatic service, studying abroad, employment with an international agency or Canadian corporation, missionary work, etc.).

In my case I was actually resident in Canada for three years before PR was eventually sorted and my OAS was based on my arrival date, not the PR date.

glendem4

Minimum period is 10 years not 20 for OAS. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...y.html#wb-cont

BristolUK

A previous post made reference to having been in Canada 20 years and also a possible return to the UK so I think the OP was referencing their 20 years worth plus the need for 20 years to qualify for OAS when living outside Canada.

Probably just trying to make sure they've done a full 20 before leaving Canada.