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The short answer
A Canadian permanent resident must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every five-year period, under section 28 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The days do not need to be continuous, and some days abroad also count, such as days spent accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or working full time for a Canadian business; so a long stay in Nigeria is possible, provided the total over the relevant five years still reaches 730.
Ageing parents, a family business, a building project in Abuja, a new baby: there are many reasons a permanent resident spends months at a time in Nigeria. The question is how much time abroad Canada allows before PR status is at risk. The rule is in the statute, and it is more flexible than many people think, but it is also easy to miscount.
The rule in the Act
Section 28 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (current to 30 September 2026) says a permanent resident must comply with a residency obligation for every five-year period. You comply if, on at least 730 days in that period, you are:
- physically present in Canada;
- outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen who is your spouse or common-law partner, or, for a child, a parent;
- outside Canada employed full time by a Canadian business or in the federal or a provincial public service;
- outside Canada accompanying a permanent resident spouse, partner or parent who is employed full time in that way; or
- within another means of compliance set out in regulations.
730 days is two years. Over five years that leaves roughly three years that can be spent abroad without other qualifying reasons. The days need not be consecutive.
Which five years count
The Act sets the window by reference to the date you are examined, for example when you apply for a PR card or a travel document, or arrive at the border:
| Your situation at examination | What you must show |
|---|---|
| PR for less than five years | That you will be able to meet 730 days in the five years after you became a PR |
| PR for five years or more | That you met 730 days in the five years immediately before the examination |
For someone who has been a PR for over five years, this means the window moves. Every day you spend in Nigeria today stays in the count for the next five years, and days in Canada from more than five years ago drop out.
Worked example
Example only. Funmi became a PR in June 2019 and has been in Canada most of the time since. Between November 2024 and October 2026 she spent a total of 520 days in Lagos caring for her mother. If she is examined in October 2026, the window is October 2021 to October 2026, which is about 1,826 days. If she was outside Canada only during those 520 days, she was in Canada for about 1,826 − 520 = 1,306 days, well above 730. If she stays in Nigeria for another full year, from October 2026 to October 2027, she adds 365 days abroad and loses a year of Canadian days at the start of the window; she would still have about 1,306 − 365 = 941 days, above the line. The margin shrinks quickly with each further year, so she should count again before extending.
Days abroad that still count
- A Canadian citizen spouse with you in Nigeria: days you spend outside Canada accompanying them count, under section 28(2)(a)(ii).
- Working for a Canadian employer in Nigeria: full-time employment by a Canadian business abroad counts; ask whether your role meets the regulations' definition before relying on it.
- Children: a child accompanying a Canadian citizen parent abroad is covered in the same way.
Remote work for a Canadian employer while living in Nigeria is a grey area in many people's minds; whether it qualifies depends on the regulations and the facts, so get advice from a licensed representative if your plan depends on it.
If you are short of days
The Act provides a safety valve: an officer's finding that humanitarian and compassionate considerations, taking into account the best interests of any child directly affected, justify keeping PR status overcomes a breach of the residency obligation. That is a discretionary decision, not an entitlement. Caring for a seriously ill parent in Nigeria is the kind of circumstance people put forward, with evidence. If you are outside Canada without a valid PR card, the residency obligation is assessed when you apply for a travel document; see applying for a PRTD from Nigeria.
Planning a long stay
- Count your days for the last five years from passport stamps and boarding passes, and keep the list updated.
- Work out the latest date you can return and still be above 730 on any examination date you can foresee.
- Check your PR card will be valid when you fly back; see travelling to Nigeria on a Canadian PR.
- Keep evidence if you rely on a qualifying reason abroad, such as your spouse's Canadian passport or your employment contract.
- Think about tax as well as immigration: a long stay can affect residence for tax in either country. See tax residence in Canada and Nigeria.
Where Pryme fits
During a long stay you may earn in Canadian dollars and spend in naira. A Pryme account keeps both, and Swap shows the rate and fee before you approve each conversion.
Questions people ask
How long can a Canadian PR stay in Nigeria?
There is no single limit per trip. You must have at least 730 qualifying days in every five-year period, so up to three years in total can be spent abroad without another qualifying reason.
Do the 730 days have to be continuous?
No. Section 28 counts a total of at least 730 days in the five-year period.
Does time in Nigeria with my Canadian citizen husband count?
Yes. Days outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner count towards the 730.
What happens if I am under 730 days?
An officer can find that humanitarian and compassionate considerations justify keeping your status, but that is discretionary. Get advice before you travel.
Sources
- Justice Laws: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s.28 (current to 30 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Justice Laws: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s.31 · accessed Oct 2026
- IRCC: Travel document (PRTD) for permanent residents (modified 19 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.