The Canadian maple card is usually valid for five years, but with some exceptions, if permanent resident status is determined due to failure to fulfill its obligation to live abroad, the applicant can apply for a one-year maple card.

You can retain your permanent resident status and update your maple leaf card only after two years of accumulating your actual residence in Canada. However, in special cases, permanent resident status can still be retained if Canadian citizens are overseas, working overseas for Canadian companies and other human reasons. All permanent residents must present a valid maple leaf card upon entering Canada after December 31, 2003. It should be noted that the maple leaf card held by the cardholder when returning to Canada must be valid during this period. If a permanent resident has become a Canadian citizen, his maple leaf card will automatically expire and he or she must carry a Canadian passport when entering and leaving the country.

The following 5 situations can also be considered to meet the residence requirements, including the residence time in the calculation, and the residence obligations are considered to have been fulfilled:

1. Accompanying Canadian citizens abroad: living outside Canada, family with Canadian citizenship;

2. Overseas work: Full-time employees sent overseas by Canadian companies or full-time officials.

3. Accompany Canada to permanently reside abroad.

4. Hold a valid return certificate.

5. Human reasons.