Canada Permanent Residence

An immigrant to Canada who has been granted permanent resident status is called a Canadian permanent resident. All permanent residents are not citizens of Canada; they are citizens of other countries. Permanent residents must fulfill certain requirements, like the residency requirement, to maintain their status as permanent residents.

Those who become permanent residents receive a variety of benefits, including:

  • Access to Canadian healthcare and social services.
  • The right to live, work and study anywhere in Canada.
  • Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and protection under the law
  • Using a Canadian permanent resident card, or permanent resident travel document (PRTD), to leave or enter Canada.
  • Obtaining Canadian citizenship after meeting the requirements.

It is possible to become a permanent resident of Canada through a variety of immigration pathways. You can become a permanent resident in Canada through economic immigration, business immigration, sponsorship, and refugee/humanitarian programs.

The Permanent Residence Card

Once a person has been approved for permanent residence in Canada, they are eligible to apply for a Canadian permanent residence card (PR card). The card indicates a person’s permanent residency status in Canada and can be used to travel within, outside, and out of the country. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) process applications for permanent resident cards.

Renewal of Permanent Residence Card

Permanent resident cards usually last five years, but sometimes they only last a year. Canadian permanent residents should keep track of their expiration date and renew their cards within six months of their expiration date.

Permit to Travel as a Permanent Resident

In the case of a permanent resident who is not a holder of a valid permanent resident card and wishes to enter Canada, it is possible to obtain a permanent resident travel document. A PRTD typically allows a permanent resident to enter Canada once before applying for a PR card or renewing their PR card.

Residency Requirements

An individual must fulfill a residency obligation in order to maintain permanent resident status in Canada. An individual’s residency obligation refers to their physical presence inside of Canada for a specified period of time. As a permanent resident of Canada, a person must be physically present inside the country for at least 730 days within a five-year period or qualify for one of several exceptions.

Canadian Citizenship

To become a citizen of Canada, foreign nationals must meet several requirements, including having a valid permanent resident status in Canada. Additionally, permanent residents wishing to become citizens are subject to different residency requirements than permanent residents renewing their status. You can learn more about becoming a Canadian citizen by visiting our website.

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