Permanent Residency (PR)

PR is the status of being a permanent resident of Canada.

  • Live, work, study anywhere.

  • Access social benefits, healthcare, and education.

  • Protected by Canadian law.

The Benefits of Being a Permanent Resident of Canada

Being a permanent resident of Canada gives you many rights and benefits that non-residents do not have. As a permanent resident, you can:

  • Live, work, or study anywhere in Canada

  • Access most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, such as health care coverage and public education

  • Apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting certain requirements

  • Travel outside Canada with a valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD)

  • Be protected by Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada

To become a permanent resident of Canada, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as:

  • Having a valid temporary status in Canada, such as a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa, or applying from outside Canada

  • Having the required language skills in English or French

  • Having the required education, work experience, and skills

  • Having enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada

  • Passing the medical exams and criminal checks

  • Being admissible to Canada and not having any security or human rights issues

The Main Pathways to Permanent Residence in Canada

There are many pathways to permanent residence in Canada, depending on your situation and eligibility. Some of the main pathways are:

  • Express Entry: A system that manages applications for three economic immigration programs...

  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): A program that allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet their specific labour market needs...

  • Family Sponsorship: A program that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their eligible relatives...

  • Business Immigration: A program that attracts entrepreneurs, investors, self-employed persons, or start-up founders...

  • Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Considerations: A program that allows people who do not qualify for any other immigration program to apply for PR based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds...

The Obligations and Responsibilities of Being a Permanent Resident of Canada

As a permanent resident of Canada, you have certain obligations and responsibilities that you must fulfill. These include:

  • Paying taxes at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels

  • Respecting all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels

  • Maintaining your PR status by living in Canada for at least 730 days in every five-year period

  • Renewing your PR card every five years or applying for a PRTD when traveling outside Canada

  • Informing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of any changes in your personal information or situation

The Difference Between Permanent Residence and Citizenship in Canada

Permanent residence and citizenship are two different statuses in Canada. While they share many rights and benefits, they also have some differences. For example:

  • Permanent residents are citizens of other countries who have been granted PR status by immigrating to Canada...

  • Permanent residents can lose their PR status if they do not meet their residency obligations or if they are found inadmissible to Canada...

  • Permanent residents cannot vote or run for political office in Canada...

  • Permanent residents cannot hold some jobs that require a high-level security clearance...

  • Permanent residents need a PR card or a PRTD to travel to Canada...

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