Last Updated: February 06, 2024
How to become a Canadian Permanent Resident?
Canada has one of the most simplified and smooth immigration policies in the world. The Canadian Government plans to welcome over 200,000 new immigrants each year from various parts of the world. This makes Canada the most ideal and secure country for immigrants to move to and get a Canadian Permanent Residence.
A permanent resident is someone who by birth, is a citizen of another country, but has been given a permanent residence by the Government after immigrating to Canada. A person staying in Canada temporarily, like a student or a foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
To earn a resident status in the country, an applicant needs to apply for the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The permanent resident card allows the immigrant to apply for Canadian citizenship after completing five years of stay.
Before applying, the aspirants need to ensure that they have the necessary documents stated by the government of Canada.
How Permanent Residency Works
A person with a Canadian PR has all the rights which are given to any Canadian citizen. A permanent resident has the right to:
- apply for Canadian citizenship,
- get most social benefits which include health care coverage, work, study, and live anywhere in the country, and receive protection under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- along with paying taxes, the resident must respect all Canadian laws at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. The permanent residents are not allowed to:
- hold jobs that require a high-level security clearance,
- vote or run for political office
Why is Canada a top choice for Immigrants?
Canada is a well-developed nation with good infrastructure and a strong economy. It is the 10th largest economy in the world with ample natural resources and thriving international trade networks. The country has the 12th highest ranking in the Human Development Index (H.D.I) as well as the 16th highest nominal per capita income globally.
Canada is resident-friendly. There are many social welfare programs offered by the state to its citizens. The provincial and federal governments provide free healthcare programs and education up to grade 12. Also, the country is one of the most educated nations in the world, with over half of its citizens holding degrees.
So, taking into consideration these positives, many aspirants apply for Permanent Residence to settle in Canada.
Canada Immigration Programs for PR
There are various immigration programs through which aspirants can obtain permanent residency. These programs have their own criteria and requirements. In order to get a PR card, the selection depends on the total points the applicant scores based on their profile criteria, age, education, work experience, language skills, etc. The higher the score, the higher the chance of getting permanent residency.
Skilled Immigrants Program (Express Entry) is for applicants who are skilled workers who can gain permanent residence using their language ability, qualifications, and work experience that meet the Canadian immigration requirements.
Federal Skilled Worker ( FSW) is suitable for those who have a minimum work experience of two years. Freshers with less than a year of experience are not eligible to apply under this stream.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry) is suitable for those who have a trade license. Trade programs require some form of physical work in industries such as construction, the industrial sector, etc.
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) is the most popular category, applicants are eligible to apply if they have a steady occupation and an NOC(National Occupation Class) in addition to having Canadian work experience. So if the prospects have work experience in their home country and get an education here and later gain work experience, there is a good chance that they will eventually get PR.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) initiated by the Canadian provincial government provides a pathway for immigrating to Canada. The program allows the different provinces across Canada to choose immigrants based on their education, skills, and work experience relevant to their economy and labor market needs. A person can apply to various provincial programs as per their requirements.
Cost of Applying for Permanent Residence
The following table shows the cost associated with Permanent Residence Application:
| Purpose | Fees ($CAN) |
| Right of Permanent Residence | $515 |
| Business Immigration | $1,625 |
| Caregivers | $570 |
| Economic Immigration (including Express Entry) | $850 |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate | $570 |
| Permanent Residence card | $50 |
| Permanent Residence Travel Documents | $50 |
| Protected person | $570 |
The Biometrics fees are as follows:
| Number of persons | Fees ($CAN) |
| Per person | $85 |
| Per family (2 or more members | $170 |
| Per group of performing artists (3 or more) | $255 |
Steps to Applying for Canadian Permanent Residence
Candidates can begin their application for permanent residence by following the procedures below within 60 days of receiving an invitation through one of the aforementioned programs.
Gathering the Required Documents and Beginning the Application Process
After receiving an application invitation, candidates may submit an application for permanent residence. The list of documents needed to apply for permanent residence is provided below.
- A valid passport or travel document
- Proof of Language proficiency
- Proof of Canadian education
- Education credential assessment report (if applicable)
- Provincial nomination (if applicable)
- Job offer letter from Canada-based employer (written)
- Proof of work experience
- Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation from a Canadian province or territory (if applicable)
- Proof of financial resources
- Police clearance certificate
To apply for PR under Express Entry or PNP, the candidate must log into their IRCC Secure Account and click the relevant link. Upon clicking the link, a customized checklist for documents will appear. The applicant must gather and scan the necessary paperwork, complete the online application, pay the necessary fee, and submit the application and the scanned copies of the documents.
Giving Fingerprints and Photograph (Biometrics)
For each application for permanent residence, candidates between the ages of 14 and 79 must provide their fingerprints and photo (biometrics) within 30 days of receiving a letter from the IRCC requesting that they do so, along with the necessary payment and application. Prior to applying, candidates must ensure that all required fields on the application form are filled out accurately, pay the processing fee and biometrics fee, and attach clear scans of all supporting documentation.
Waiting for the Decision
IRCC will review the application after it is submitted. The kind of application will determine how long it takes to process. If further details are required, the IRCC will get in touch with the applicant. Upon approval of their application, candidates can arrange travel to Canada. The candidates will not be allowed to board the flight to Canada if they do not have all of the documentation provided by the IRCC, which may include but are not limited to the eTA, the permanent resident visa, and the confirmation of permanent residence.
Upon Arrival in Canada
At the port of entry, immigration officers will verify the applicant's identity by looking through their paperwork. The applicant will be returned to their home country if the officer determines that they do not meet the requirements for entry or that they are unable to provide proof of identity. Nonetheless, the officer stamps the passport and releases the applicant if the applicant's identity is verified, and they satisfy the entry requirements.
When the candidates arrive in Canada, their Permanent Resident card will be mailed to the address they have specified.
Some Additional Documents that Candidates May Need
The list below includes a few more documents in addition to those listed above that, based on the information provided, the candidates might need.
Renewing the Canadian PR Card
The initial Canadian PR Card is good for five years. The candidate must apply for a renewal of their PR card after five years. They can mail their application to the closest visa application center or apply online via the
Permanent Residence Online Application Portal. The candidate must first complete the IMM 5444 application form for renewal. After that, they must turn in the required paperwork and pay the required amount. The applicants must enter their name exactly as it appears on their passport to digitally sign the application. It will take 56 days to process the same.
Documents Required for PR Card Renewal Application:
- Completed and signed Application Form
- A photograph according to specifications
- A copy of the original PR Card
- A copy of the passport
- Proof of fee payment
Entry of Dependents
Candidates may apply for PR with their dependent child and spouse or common-law partner. Candidates may, however, sponsor their dependents if they would like to bring them into the nation while they are residents. They must ensure that they have the financial means to support the dependents to do that. The dependents of the candidate may also apply for permanent residence on their own. Using the
permanent residence online application portal, candidates can submit their applications online. Together with the medical examination and police clearance certificate, they must also provide biometric information and pay the applicable fee. Applicants will receive a request to link their application to an online account if they satisfy the requirements.
Processing time for Visa
The processing time to get a Canada Permanent Resident Visa differs based on the program selection. The approval depends on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Once the applicant receives an invitation to apply for PR, the additional processing time is usually around 4-6 months.
How to calculate PR Visa points?
According to the Canada Immigration points system, the applicant gets points based on their profile details. The points mentioned earlier depend on several factors such as age, language proficiency, education, work experience, and Canadian work experience. The total points determine the eligibility of the programs. If the applicant's profile qualifies for a particular program, he/she gets an invitation for a PR and ultimately, becomes a resident of Canada.
Some Things to Remember
Every document needs to be translated into either French or English and certified by a translator, or it needs to be accompanied by an affidavit from the translator.
The application must be submitted with scanned copies of the original documents or certified photocopies of the original documents.
