As licensed Canadian Immigration Consultants, we are aware of the complexity and nuances involved in obtaining permanent residence in Canada. Some clients—those who participate in the Express Entry Program—have a simple, 7-month wait, while others—those who transition from a visiting or student visa to permanent residence—must wait years to achieve this status. Find the path that works best for you by reading on, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for assistance if you need it. From a broad perspective, obtaining permanent residence in Canada marks a significant turning point in the naturalization process. Currently, to apply for citizenship, permanent residents must have resided in Canada for at least 1095 days. There are numerous methods available to anyone wishing to apply for permanent residency in Canada. There are currently over 80 distinct immigration pathways and programs available to help you obtain permanent residency in Canada. Let’s now examine what it means to be a permanent resident in more detail, as well as the distinctions between being a legal resident and a citizen of Canada. To make reading the article easier, use the menus below to navigate around it:
A foreign national with the legal right to dwell and work in Canada is granted permanent residence status. With a few exceptions, your rights and responsibilities as a permanent resident of Canada are almost the same as those of Canadian citizens (see the specifics below).
You can become a sponsor if you meet all of the following criteria:
A foreign individual who resides continuously in Canada is known as a permanent resident. The primary distinction is that, despite being permitted to dwell permanently in Canada, permanent residents maintain their original citizenship. On the other hand, all Canadian citizens, naturalized or born, are entitled to national passports, the ability to vote, the ability to run for office, and access to classified information.
You can legally travel outside of Canada once you have permanent residency, but maintaining your PR status requires you to fulfill several restrictions. You need to fulfill the following conditions to keep your permanent residency:
You can apply for a new permanent residency card if you misplace your current one. Once more, remember that leaving the nation without your original landing paperwork or PR card could result in your denial of admission into Canada.
One option for applying for permanent residence in Canada is through Express Entry. Your invitation to apply under Express Entry will be good for 60 days after you get it. You have this window of time to complete and submit the electronic PR application before the invitation expires. Once your permanent residency process is complete and you are considered a landed permanent resident of Canada, you can apply automatically for a permanent resident card. When you receive your PR card by regular mail, it normally takes about 60 days. It can happen far more quickly at times. You also have the option to replace or renew your Permanent Resident Card by sending in paper documentation. The processing period, if you select this option, is approximately 130 days. Processing times can differ depending on the following:
The program you apply for will determine how long it takes to process your application for permanent residence in Canada. Provincial Nominee applications, for instance, may take 12 to 19 months to process, but the majority of PR Express Entry applications are completed in six months or less.
The following are a few variables that may affect how long your application takes to process:
An initiative known as the Start Up Visa enables company owners and entrepreneurs to relocate to Canada and bring their families with them. This program is designed for business owners and innovators who wish to create a cutting-edge company in Canada that will compete internationally and strengthen the country’s labor market. Remember that this business program requires support from one of the approved organizations. Eligibility is also assessed based on the primary applicant’s and spouse’s minimum total assets (sufficient money to settle in Canada depending on family size), as well as language proficiency (CLB 5 in either English or French). After submitting your application for permanent residence and fulfilling all the requirements, you will need to pay the fees, which vary based on the size of your family, and wait for further instructions. The prices start at $2,075 in this case. A 12- to 16-month processing period is typical.