British Columbia, Canada (near Vancouver) Before leaving Canada, it's mandatory for Canadian permanent residents (landed immigrants) to have a permanent resident (maple leaf) card to re-enter to Canada by commercial airplane, train, bus, and rental car. You must renew your permanent resident (maple leaf) card every five years if you are not yet a Canadian citizen.

Residency Obligation:

A Canadian permanent resident (landed immigrant) needs to satisfy the residency obligation by being physically present in Canada at least 730 days out of the five-year period or:

is outside of Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen who is their spouse or common-law partner or is a child accompanying a parent;
is outside of Canada employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province;
is an accompanying spouse, common-law partner or child of a permanent resident who is outside of Canada and is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province.

Determining whether a permanent resident meets the residency obligation:

if you have been a permanent resident for less than five years, you will be able to meet the residency obligation during the five-year period immediately following your becoming a permanent resident.
if you have been a permanent resident for five years or more, you have met the residency obligation during the five-year period immediately before the examination of your residency status by a visa offer.
a determination by an officer that Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) considerations relating to a permanent resident justify the retention of permanent resident status overcomes any breach of the residency obligation. You need to demonstrate that the hardship which resulted in not meeting the residency obligation is unusual and undeserved or disproportionate.

If you are in Canada and would like to apply for or renew a permanent resident (maple leaf) card , please fill out a Permanent Resident Card Free Assessment.