Updated October 2026. Two different day-counts decide your status in Canada. To apply for citizenship, you need 1,095 days of physical presence in the 5 years before you apply. To keep your permanent residence, you need 730 days in Canada in every 5-year period. Enter your PR date and your trips once, and this calculator works out both, including the earliest date you could apply for citizenship.
Citizenship and PR Days Calculator
The Two Rules at a Glance
| Citizenship | PR residency obligation | |
|---|---|---|
| Days needed | 1,095 days in Canada | 730 days in Canada |
| Period | The 5 years immediately before the date you apply | Every rolling 5-year period (or the first 5 years after you became a PR) |
| Time before PR | Each day in Canada as a worker, student, visitor or protected person counts as half a day, up to 365 days of credit | Doesn’t count |
| When it’s checked | When you apply for citizenship | When you renew your PR card, apply for a travel document or are examined at the border |
How Days Are Counted
- Travel days: the day you leave and the day you come back both count as days in Canada. Only full days outside Canada count as absences. Same-day trips to the U.S. don’t reduce your count.
- Partial PR history: if you became a PR less than 5 years ago, the PR rule asks whether you can still reach 730 days by your fifth anniversary.
- Exceptions: some time abroad can count for the PR rule, such as accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or parent, or working full time abroad for a Canadian business or the public service. This calculator does not apply those exceptions.
- Time that never counts for citizenship: time on probation, on parole or in prison, and time as a refugee claimant before you were accepted, among other cases.
Practical suggestion: before applying, compare your trip list with your CBSA travel history (you can request it) and keep a buffer of extra days. Small date mistakes are a common reason for refused or returned applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do days before I became a permanent resident count for citizenship?
Yes, partly. Each day you were in Canada as an authorized temporary resident or protected person in the 5-year window counts as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 days.
Is the official IRCC calculator required?
If you apply online, you must use the physical presence calculator in your IRCC account. Use this tool to plan your dates and check your trips first.
What happens if I don’t meet the 730-day rule?
You don’t lose PR status automatically, but you can be found in breach when you renew your PR card, apply for a travel document or re-enter Canada. Humanitarian reasons can sometimes be considered. Get advice before travelling — see leaving Canada as a PR.
Are my dates stored anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser. If you tick “Remember my dates”, they’re saved only on your own device.
Related Guides
- How long citizenship takes after PR
- PR card renewal
- How to apply for Canadian citizenship
- Citizenship ceremony guide
