Canadian Permanent Residents: How to Apply for Canada PR

Would you like to become a permanent residence in Canada? The Canada PR process requires determining your eligibility for permanent residence, meeting set requirements and completing the PR application.

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Fill out our immigration assessment form today.

Due to COVID-19, travel restrictions have been put in place and updated. Along with providing a negative COVID test prior to boarding, you will need to test after your flight, quarantine, and possibly required to stay in an approved hotel until your results come back negative (as travelers cost). Learn more about the latest COVID travel restrictions in Canada.

Although travel restrictions have been implemented, Canadian PR applications are still being accepted but you can expect processing delays.

If you are a Canadian permanent resident who is traveling back to Canada by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before you're allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air or land.

Related Articles: Canada Coronavirus Impact

Becoming a Permanent Resident in Canada

Canada is a land of opportunity and thousands of people seek to become permanent residents and get their PR card every single year. In fact, Canada has been increasing the number of successful applicants each year. The Canadian government plans to invite 351,000 individuals to become permanent residents in 2021  and that number continues to grow!

Flag Icon Canada Permanent Residence

What is a Canadian Permanent Resident?

A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries. A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.

Determine if You're Eligible for a Permanent Resident Status

Calculate your score in the CRS system for Express Entry. Add all the point that you may obtain through examining the categories of age, level of education, official language proficiency, second official language, and canadian work experience. Furthermore, applicants need to be able to prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family, unless they can already legally work in or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

Improve CRS score for Permanent Residency

Who Can Apply for Permanent Resident Status?

Anyone is allowed to apply for permanent residency in Canada but only qualified individuals will be accepted. To find if you are eligible for permanent residency you will be examined by your:

  • age
  • level of education
  • official language proficiency
  • second official language
  • Canadian work experience

Benefits of Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident

There are many benefits when becoming a citizen that many foreign nationals look forward to when beginning a new life in Canada. Some of these benefits include:

Canadian politics - Citizens in Canada have a bigger voice and are able to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections. Citizens also have the freedom to run for office and become involved in political activities, meaning they have a say in who runs the various levels of government that exist in Canada.

High-level jobs - Citizens have the ability to apply for higher-level federal jobs that often pay very well and come with benefits.

Dual citizenship -  As a Canadian citizen, you are not required to choose Canada as your primary home country. If applicable, you may apply for dual citizenship.

Family - Where a child is born in Canada, they are automatically considered a Canadian citizen. This allows you to start a better life for any future children without them going through an immigration acceptance process.

Taxes - If you become a Canadian citizen and decide to live elsewhere, you may not be required to pay Canadian taxes as they are based on residency as opposed to citizenship.

Canada PR Period of Stay

The PR Card is normally issued for 5 years and can be renewed. To keep your permanent resident status you must stay in Canada for 730 days within those 5 years.

5 Main Categories for Canadian Permanent Residents

Express Entry program manages applications for permanent residence for immigrants who can fill jobs where there is a lack of available skilled Canadian workers  through certain economic immigration programs. To determine your crs score, use our crs score calculator linked below.

Express Entry Canada

Latest Express Entry Draws

CRS Calculator

The Provincial Nominee Program or PNP is a program for workers who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific Canadian province or Territory. Each province and territory has its own streams and programs that target students, business people, skilled workers, and semi-skilled workers.

Provincial Nominee Program

Latest PNP Draws

CRS Calculator

How to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada

The requirements and process steps are different depending on which route you take so it's important to learn more and think about speaking with an immigration professional. Once you've been accepted or invited to become a Canadian permanent resident, you will be given a PR Card.

Receiving a Canadian PR Card

Your permanent resident card can be used to show that you have PR status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada, you will need to show your card and your passport when you come back on a commercial vehicle, like an airplane, boat, train, or bus. Those traveling outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card, or who are not carrying it, need to apply for a permanent resident travel document before returning to Canada by a commercial vehicle.

A PR card is usually issued for five years, but can sometimes be issued for one year instead. It is valid until the expiry date listed on the card. Canada only sends PR cards to addresses within the country. In some cases, you may have to pick up your card in person at one of the Canadian government offices.

If you find a mistake on your PR card you can ask for it to be reissued. Sometimes we shorten a name on the card if it is too long to fit. This is not a mistake. Find out how to fix a mistake on your PR card.

Adjusting Temporary Status to PR

Visitor Visa – It's very rare to successfully adjust your temporary status to permanent residency with a tourist/visitor visa but there are some exceptions. Usually, the only way to do this is to qualify for as a refugee or have a partner that is a Canadian citizen.

Canada's Multi-Year Immigration Plan

How You Can Lose Your Permanent Resident Status:

  • An adjudicator determines you are no longer a permanent resident after an inquiry or PRTD appeal;
  • you voluntarily renounce your permanent resident status;
  • a removal order is made against you and comes into force; or
  • you become a Canadian citizen.

We Can Help You Become a Permanent Resident in Canada

The permanent residence application process can be very complex, time-consuming, and difficult. Many temporary residents change their status to permanent residency, therefore it is therefore essential that if you are considering applying for Canadian permanent residence, you get professional immigration help throughout the Canada PR process. The last thing you want is to be told your application is refused after months (or sometimes years) of waiting.

We have over 15 years of experience and have helped thousands and thousands of people immigrate to Canada, and we are certain we can help you too! We look forward to helping you accomplish your immigration goals!

Immigrate to Canada

Getting started is easy. All you need to do is fill out our free eligibility online assessment form here and then one of our immigration professionals will get back to you with your results within one business day.