Permanent Residence In Canada
PR Canada
A Canadian Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent residence in Canada by the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through one of the various immigration programs.
However, they’re not Canadian Citizens. They’re citizens of their primary countries.
Learn how to obtain permanent residency in Canada from outside Canada with our expert guidance.
You need to understand eligibility criteria, application processes, and explore various Canada immigration programs. Start your journey to Canadian PR today.
Canada Permanent Residence Requirements
Permanent residents may apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting specific criteria:
To maintain your PR status in Canada, you must meet the following residency requirements:
- Physical Presence: You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within every 5-year period. These 730 days do not need to be continuous
Exceptions for Time Spent Outside Canada:
Certain situations allow you to count time spent outside Canada towards your residency requirement.
These include:
- Traveling with a Canadian spouse or common-law partner.
- Being a child under 19 years of age accompanying a parent.
- Employment on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or the Public Service of Canada, or being the spouse, common-law partner, or child of such an employee
There are various programs through which a person can become a permanent resident of Canada. Each program has a different set of requirements set by the IRCC, and you have to meet these requirements to become eligible for permanent residence
Path to Canadian Citizenship
Some of the programs that you can check if you’re eligible for include:
- Economic immigration
- Refugee/ humanitarian program
- Family class sponsorship
- Business immigration
Note that you can also become a permanent resident if you hold temporary residence, such as a student or work permit. Simply apply for permanent residence through one of the programs that you qualify for.
How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada?
Eligibility Criteria
Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) allows individuals to live and work in Canada without any time limit on their stay.
However, maintaining PR status requires meeting specific residency obligations and other criteria. Below is a summary of the key eligibility criteria for maintaining Canadian PR status.
Here are the main programs that can get your Canadian PR through:
- Economic Immigration
- Business Immigration
- Family Class Sponsorship
- Spouse, partner or children sponsorship
- Parents and grandparents sponsorship
- Humanitarian and refugee programs
Get Application Package
Get the permanent residence application package given by IRCC on their website. Some programs such as Express Entry programs and grandparent or parent sponsorship require an invitation to apply for PR.
Once you have the application package, fill the forms and attach all the documents requested by IRCC. Some application categories, such as grandparent and parent sponsorship, have strict deadlines, which is why it’s always good to prepare the necessary documents early.
Pay the Fees
Each process has some payments that must be paid to avoid rejection or delay of your application. Some of the payments include:
- Processing fee
- Right of permanent residence fee
- Bio-metrics fee
Submit Your Application
After completing your PR application and attaching all the relevant documents, mail it to IRCC using the given mail or courier services.
Get Help With Your Permanent Residence Application
Canada PR Visa Process - Permanent Residence Processing Time
The process for obtaining a Canada Permanent Residence (PR) visa involves several steps, each with specific processing times.
These times can vary based on the chosen immigration program and individual circumstances.
Generally, the process includes submitting the application, providing required documentation, and undergoing background checks.
Get most accurate and up-to-date information on processing times .
Canada PR Checklist
- Ensure you apply through the most suitable program for a successful case
- Prepare all the necessary documents before your application
- Make sure you or the person you’re sponsoring for PR is eligible
- Make all the payments through the right channels
Cost of Canada PR - Fee
The cost of obtaining permanent residence in Canada encompasses various fees required throughout the application process.
Each immigration program has specific payments necessary for processing and approval.
For detailed information on the fees associated with your chosen program, visit our services page.
Simply select the program of interest to view comprehensive payment and program details, ensuring you are well-informed about the financial commitments involved in your PR application journey.
Canada Express Entry Cost
If you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, you’re required to pay the permanent residence application fee, biometric fee, and right of permanence fee, among other charges, where applicable.
Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada
As a Canadian permanent resident:
- you can work, study, or live anywhere in Canada
- the Canadian laws protect you
- you can apply for Canadian citizenship
- you benefit from most social assistance that the citizens get
Obligations of Permanent Residents in Canada
As a permanent resident, you have to:
- Respect and abide by all federal, municipal, and provisional laws
- Pay taxes
- Renew your PR card every five years
- Ensure that you live in Canada for at least two years (730 days) in every five years. In some cases, time spent outside Canada can also be counted.
- Make sure you have your PR card on you at all times. If you travel and misplace your PR card or it expires, you can apply for a PR travel document.
Rights and Responsibilities
As a permanent resident, you hold many of the same rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen, including the right to live, work, and study in any province or territory of Canada.
However, permanent residents do not have the right to vote or run for elected office.
What A Canadian Permanent Resident Can’t Do
As a permanent resident, you can’t
- Vote
- Run for office
- Hold high-security clearance jobs
Losing Permanent Residence
You can only lose your permanent residence if:
- You’re issued with a removal order
- An adjudicator rules that you can longer be a PR in Canada after a PRTD appeal or inquiry
- You voluntarily give up you PR status
- You get Canadian citizenship
Canadian PR - Frequently Asked Questions
For most permanent residence applications, you must pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) which is 490 Canadian dollars. You can pay the fee after the application is approved and before you become a permanent resident. However, to avoid delays, it is recommended to pay your RPRF at the same time you pay your application fee. These are two different fees.
Yes, you need to to take a test in English or French. If you choose English, you must take IELTS General test. Read our tips on how to get great IELTS results.
If you withdraw your application or are refused, RPRF is refunded to you.
The term “landed immigrant” is an old classification, meaning an immigrant who has entered one of the Canadian designated ports of entry in a legal way. Once you land in Canada, you are given a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) paper that confirms your legal status in Canada.
Permanent residents enjoy the same rights as citizens, except that they can’t vote, run for a political office, or apply for some government positions requiring security clearances.
Yes, a permanent resident can apply for Canadian citizenship once they have lived 1,095 days in Canada within the five years preceding the date they submit an application for citizenship of Canada.
Yes, you may leave Canada at any time. However, if you don’t want to lose your permanent status in Canada, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period. The two years do not have to be continuous.
How We Can Help
Whichever pathway you choose to use to gain permanent residence in Canada, we, at Jane Katkova & Associates – Canadian Immigration Global Mobility Experts, have tackled it and successfully enabled our clients to come to Canada. We help our clients check their eligibility, fill out the forms, make payments, and submit them early enough for a higher chance of successful application. We also help permanent residents renew PR cards.
Contact us to learn more about Canadian permanent residence and how our services can enable you to immigrate to Canada.
Book A Consultation
This message is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration case manager with whom you work at Jane Katkova and Associates or send an email to support@katkova.com.
Jane Katkova – Brown
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