PR Residency Requirement
 

I was granted PR and entered Canada for the first time as a permanent resident in October 2018. I had a video interview and realised that the salary I would be able to earn in Canada was far below what I was by then making as a contractor in the UK. Knowing IR35 reforms were on the way I decided to stay here and fill my boots and look again when the good time ran out here. Since then we've had coronavirus which has restricted travel and increased economic uncertainty. I don't want to let the opportunity to have lived and worked in Canada to pass me by but if I don't find work in Canada by October 2021 it will be impossible for me to meet the 730 days residency required to secure the permanent residence.

Is the PR revoked automatically or do they have to make a decision - is enforcement reserved for those that have made a nuisance of themselves in some way and come to the attention of the authorities? Does anyone have any experience of this sort of situation?

Re: PR Residency Requirement
 

It's not revoked automatically, but it's nothing to do with being a nuisance either, it's pretty cut and dried - either you meet the residency obligation, or you don't. Essentially it's done when you try and enter, if you get to the airport and the immigration officer notices that you don't have the required number of days to have met the residency obligation, then you would be reported and the process to revoke your PR status would begin, and you'd be given a Departure Order with a certain amount of time (30 days iirc?) to appeal or leave Canada.

If you enter before that point, then you will just need to stay in Canada long enough to ensure you spend the 730 days there out of every 5 year period. I would personally recommend you don't leave it as late as October 2021, as then you have no leeway at all and are essentially 'land locked' in Canada for the next 2 years, meaning you can't return to the UK for any emergencies etc. Always better to give yourself a bit of time if you can.

HTH, best of luck.