The Canada Permanent Residency or Canada PR Visa is a legal document that grants foreign nationals a unique immigration status. Permanent residency in Canada has several advantages, including job prospects, social benefits, and family sponsorship.

Permanent residents obtain access to a globalized economy, a high quality of life, and a stable business environment. The Government of Canada has a reputation for creating welcoming communities and transparent immigration pathways for new immigrants and international graduates.

Becoming a permanent resident is often the first step to obtaining Canadian citizenship. The immigration journey takes a long time and can be difficult to navigate. But we can help. This article shows you how to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residence.

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What is Canada Permanent Residency?

Permanent Residency Canada is a legal status that allows individuals to start living in Canada indefinitely. After the Canadian government approves your application, you will receive a Permanent Resident card (PR card).

The PR card permits you to relocate and re-enter any Canadian province with family members. This is a permanent move to Canada, not a frequent visitor pass. You only need to report to Canada immigration once every five years. However, a Canadian permanent resident card is different than citizenship.

A permanent resident (PR) is someone who can immigrate to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. Canadian permanent residency is a legal document that comes with the same rights as Canadian citizenship, except that citizens have the right to vote and hold public office.

Note: People living in Canada as foreign students (on a study permit) or skilled workers (on a work permit) are not permanent residents. They have a temporary status.

What are the benefits of Canadian permanent residency?

Canadian permanent residents have several advantages, from career opportunities and healthcare coverage to education potential and social benefits. Here is a detailed look at the Canada Permanent Resident card benefits.

  • Live and work anywhere in Canada: Canada offers its permanent residents complete mobility. As a permanent resident (PR) holder, you can move freely across Canada’s provinces, take any job, switch careers, or even start a business. This is one of the main benefits of Canadian PR.
  • Stable local economy: The Canadian economy is stable and diverse. You can invest in Canada real estate, natural resources, stocks, etc. It is one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world with high quality of life.
  • Inclusion of family members: You could sponsor your family members to settle in Canada. For instance, you can bring a common-law partner and dependent children. Your permanent resident (PR) status enables them to study, work, and live in the country.
  • Social services: The Government of Canada can provide citizens and permanent residents access to social security benefits. Benefits like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Employment Insurance (EI) are obtained through Canadian social security credits. You earn these credits based on the number of years you worked or lived in the country. Canadian permanent residents can also acquire tax rebates and higher-paying jobs.
  • Free public school education: If you are granted permanent resident status in Canada, your children will be eligible for free education until class 12 (16-17 years old), consisting of primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Canada’s education system is among the top ranking in the world. Permanent residents also pay lower tuition fees than foreign nationals living in Canada temporarily.
  • Healthcare coverage: Permanent resident card holders and every sponsored family member have the right to free medical care (under the universal healthcare program) and, in some cases, free drug prescriptions. The federal Government of Canada funds public health care coverage through taxes in Canada, so all permanent residents and Canadian citizens receive access to free medical services.
  • Visa renewal: The Canada Permanent Residence card is valid for five years or, in some cases, one year. Check the expiry date on your card for more details. You can renew the PR card indefinitely as long as you maintain a clean criminal history and respect Canadian immigration laws. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will check if you meet the necessary Canada permanent residency requirements and renew your PR card.
  • Business opportunities:  If you are a permanent resident in Canada, you can pursue your business venture as a single proprietor, partner, or corporation. You don’t have to be a Canadian citizen to start a new business. Canadian immigration programs like the Canada Startup Visa provide an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to set up a business and apply for Canadian permanent residency.

Canada Permanent Residency Requirements

Here is how to apply for permanent residency in Canada. To do it, you must:

  • Sign up through one of the immigration programs (e.g., Express Entry, Provincial Nominee, family sponsorship, etc.).
  • Fill out an application form.
  • Attach the necessary documents (e.g., proof of education, birth certificate, police certificate, proof of funds to live in Canada, etc.).
  • Have adequate work experience or an eligible job offer from a Canadian employer.
  • Have strong language skills in either English or French.
  • Have a medical examination.
  • Pay processing fees.
  • You should not be a Canadian citizen.
  • You should have no criminal record.
  • You must be 18 years or older (some immigration programs can have different age-criteria).

Canadian immigration lawyers can collect all the necessary documents and streamline your process. They are well-versed in the laws and regulations of all provincial governments, which can boost your application success rate.

How to get permanent residency in Canada?

two people on a desk signing permanent residency Canada documents

Don’t know how to get permanent residency in Canada? To qualify for Permanent Residency Canada, you can apply through one of the immigration programs. These include the Express Entry, Business Immigration, Provincial Nominee, Atlantic Immigration, and Start-Up Visa program.

Express Entry

Express Entry is a federal program for skilled workers who want Canada permanent residency.

This immigration journey consists of the following categories:

  • Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP): For qualified and experienced professionals
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For qualified professionals with technical expertise and international work experience
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For professionals who have already worked in Canada

Here are the visa requirements to apply for the Express Entry program and gain permanent residence:

  • Share your Express Entry profile.
  • Your profile will be graded based on Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Your profile will be assigned points with the help of a Canada Permanent Resident Visa points calculator.
  • Top-scoring profiles will be allowed to submit their application through Express Entry draws that happen every two weeks.
  • Qualified applicants who have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit their application for a permanent resident visa within 60 days.

Business Immigration Program

The Business Immigration Program is an economic immigration program for entrepreneurs and investors with valid experience and business ideas. To apply for permanent resident status in Canada, you first need to have a work permit. Once you meet all the work permit requirements, you can obtain a permanent resident visa.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) target specific provinces to attract skilled workers and international investors to reside and work across the Canadian territory.

These special programs expand Canadian immigration options by encouraging development and migration to underpopulated and less developed regions in Canada.

You must meet the following requirements to apply under the PNP:

  • Fulfill all nominee non-express stream requirements cited by the province or territory.
  • Be nominated under that stream.

Atlantic Immigration Program

Under the Atlantic Immigration Program, formerly called Atlantic Immigration Pilot, a highly skilled foreign worker or international student who has graduated from a Canadian education institution can apply for permanent residence in Canada.

This Canadian visa program aims to enable skilled foreign workers and graduates to occupy positions in provinces that locals cannot fill.

You must meet the following requirements to apply for the program:

  • Proof of qualifying work experience.
  • Proof of qualifying education.
  • Get high language test results.
  • Proof of financial stability that ensures that you can support yourself and each family member when you relocate to Canada.

Start-Up Visa Program

If you are an international entrepreneur looking for business immigration programs, the Canada Start-Up Visa might be a perfect choice.

This program gives entrepreneurs a PR visa and access to investment in the country’s private sector. Under this scheme, you get the opportunity to connect and network with angel investors, venture capitalists, and other business enthusiasts. This program makes it easier for immigrants to create and expand successful start-ups.

To be eligible for the Canadian Start-Up Visa program, the Canadian government requires applicants to:

  • Prove the business ideas are innovative, creative, and ready to compete globally.
  • Ensure the start-up creates job opportunities for Canadian residents.
  • Receive backing from a designated organization.

Family sponsorship

As part of the family class program, Canadian citizens and people with permanent resident status in Canada can request permission for family members to visit or permanently immigrate to Canada. As a PR card holder in Canada, you can sponsor the following relatives:

  • Common-law partner
  • Dependent children
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Brother/sister*
  • Nephew/niece*
  • Grandson/granddaughter*

*You can only sponsor your brother/sister, nephew/niece, grandson/granddaughter if they:

  • Have lost their parents and are dependent on you
  • Are minors (below 18 years of age) and are not married
  • Are a relative by a common law

Québec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

The Québec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is the only passive investment program for high-net worth individuals. This Canadian immigration program allows foreigners to make a capital transfer and eventually receive permanent residence status.

This program requires personal net worth of $2 million and adequate business management skills. Those who apply must be willing to settle in Quebec and have the minimum language requirements in French. Provided the investment is maintained for five years. Applicants can renew their permanent resident permits indefinitely.

How many countries you can visit with Canadian PR?

Those with Permanent Residency in Canada have access to 26 visa-free countries. They can enter Canada and other countries without a visa for business, professional services, education, or tourism purposes.

Here is a list of some of the Canadian PR visa free countries:

  1. Dutch Caribbean Territories (such as Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Aruba, Sint Eustatius, Curaçao, and Saba)
  2. Jamaica
  3. Singapore
  4. Costa Rica
  5. Turks and Caicos Islands
  6. Cuba
  7. Qatar
  8. Mexico
  9. Bermuda
  10. British Virgin Islands
  11. Panama
  12. El Salvador
  13. Peru
  14. Taiwan
  15. Dominican Republic
  16. South Korea
  17. Kosovo
  18. Belize
  19. Honduras
  20. Nicaragua
  21. Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  22. Guatemala
  23. Anguilla
  24. Cayman Islands
  25. Georgia
  26. Bahamas

Note: Entry requirements may vary by country and nationality, so it’s always best to check with the relevant authorities or embassies before traveling.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Canada?

The time it takes to get permanent residency in Canada varies based on the immigration program. They have different requirements and volumes of applicants. For example, the processing time for the Start-up Visa can take 40 months. But, for the Atlantic Canada Immigration Program is about 10 months. Providing incomplete documents, background checks, changes in immigration policies, and other factors could delay processing times.

Here is a list of the average processing time for Canadian permanent residence according to the immigration pathways:

  • Express Entry: 5 months (for federal skilled workers)
  • Provincial Nominee: 7 months
  • Atlantic Immigration: 10 months
  • Start-Up Visa: 40 months
  • Family sponsorship: 11 months

Permanent Residence in Canada: Rights and Limitations

city landscape with water, trees, and blue sky in Canada

Once you obtain the Canadian permanent resident visa, you are given a permanent resident card that you should carry along with your passport, especially when traveling abroad. The card is seen as proof of your PR status upon re-entry.

Rights for permanent residents

Standard work rights and reasonable concessions on taxes are guaranteed for all permanent residents in Canada, including those who obtained their status through family sponsorship. Permanent residents also have the right to monetary assistance after retirement and disability and survivors’ benefit schemes. Furthermore, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects all permanent residents from discrimination.

Limitations for permanent residents

As a permanent resident of Canada, you are not allowed to vote in the federal elections held in the country or run for political office. Besides this limitation, permanent residents are permitted to undertake any valid job offer, including those that necessitate high-level security clearance.

The residency time period in Canada

The residency obligation includes maintaining a presence in Canada for a minimum of 730 days over five years to maintain your Canadian permanent resident status. However, you’re not required to continuously stay in Canada for 730 days. There are two ways to monitor your stay period in the country:

  • You can ask the Canadian border officer when you arrive in Canada.
  • You can record the days from the date of renewing your Canada permanent residence card.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Permanent Residency Canada

What is PR in Canada?

If you’re wondering about the PR meaning in Canada, it stands for Permanent Resident. A permanent resident has the right to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely without a visa or being a citizen. Canada permanent residency is a legal status that offers the same advantages and rights as legal citizens, including access to the Canada Pension Plan and universal healthcare.

How do you get permanent residency in Canada?

There are several immigration programs available to gain a Canada Permanent Resident Visa and immigrate to Canada permanently. The Start-Up Visa, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Program provide a path to permanent residence. If you receive a Canadian job offer and live in Canada as a foreign worker for three years, you can also apply for permanent residence.

Is it easy to get Canadian PR status?

If you meet all the eligibility criteria for one of the various Canadian immigration programs and have proper documentation, getting Canadian PR status and receiving your permanent resident card in Canada is straightforward.

Can I move to Canada without a job?

You can move to Canada without a job if you are applying through the Express Entry system, a Start-Up Visa, or other business-related options relevant to Provincial Nominee Programs. The Quebec Immigration Investment Program (QIIP) has no work or director-related requirements.

Can I travel outside Canada during my permanent residence application?

You can travel outside of Canada while you wait for the PR to be processed as long as you have a valid temporary resident visa and a work permit. However, it is generally advisable to stay in the country since leaving may affect the application process.

Can I travel to the USA with a Canadian permanent residence card?

A Canadian permanent residence card is not a valid travel document to enter the United States. Whether you require a visa or visa waiver to enter the US depends on which passport you hold. You must always travel abroad with your passport.

Can Canadian permanent residents travel abroad?

Canadian permanent residents are free to travel in and out of the country. The only requirement is a residency obligation of at least 730 days in Canadian territory within five years of the visa permit’s validity. Individuals leaving Canada without a valid PR card must obtain a permanent resident travel document before reentering Canada.

Do you need a Canadian visa if you are a permanent resident?

A Canadian permanent residence permit removes all requirements for holders to obtain a visitor visa to visit Canada or a residency visa to live there. The only requirement new permanent residents should be aware of is to renew their permanent resident card every five years.

Should I seek advice from a Canada PR visa consultant?

Consulting a Canadian immigration consultant is advisable because they can provide expert guidance, help navigate complex immigration processes, and keep applicants updated on policy changes. They increase the chances of a successful application by ensuring it meets all requirements and is submitted correctly.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Canada?

The processing time for obtaining a permanent residency in Canada varies based on the immigration pathway you select. For example, the application for the Atlantic Immigration Program can take around 10 months to process, while for the Start-up Visa it is usually 40 months. Many factors, such as false documents or incorrect information could cause delays.

Can I regain my lost permanent resident status in Canada?

To restore a lost permanent resident status, you can apply for restoration through Canada’s immigration system. To obtain permanent residence, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having a valid passport, study permit, temporary resident visa, or a work permit when you lost your PR. Provide Canada immigration services with a valid reason why you lost your temporary status.

How do I become a Canadian citizen?

Once you have a permanent resident card, you can become a Canadian citizen by meeting residency requirements, demonstrating knowledge of Canada, and passing a citizenship test. Ensure you fulfill the criteria, maintain the required physical presence, and submit a complete application, including your permanent resident card, to initiate the citizenship process.