Permanent Residency in Canada: If you immigrate to Canada, you can be categorized as a temporary or permanent resident.

If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you may have Permanent Residency (PR), but this does not mean you are a Canadian citizen. At this point, you are most likely still a citizen of another country.

If you are studying or working in Canada temporarily, as either an international student or a foreign worker, you are not a permanent resident. This also applies if you are a tourist visiting Canada.

Let's take a closer look at what the requirements are to get Canada permanent residency (PR), as well as what you can and can't do as a Canadian permanent resident.

Requirements for Getting Canadian Permanent Residence Status
If you want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residency you will need to not only meet the requirements of your chosen immigration programs but also be considered eligible to enter or be admissible to Canada. This usually requires having a clear criminal record, being in good health, having enough funds to support yourself and your family, and being able to settle in Canada with ease.

How do I keep my Canada PR status?
To remain a Canadian permanent resident, you will need to meet a residency obligation, which means that you need to physically be in Canada for a specified amount of time. The current residency obligation is for a permanent resident to be in Canada for at least 730 days within a five-year period unless you meet any of the following exceptions:
  • your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen and you are accompanying them while outside of Canada;
  • if you are a child accompanying your parents outside of Canada;
  • you're outside of Canada for work purposes and are employed full-time by a Canadian business;
  • your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen and you are accompanying them for work while outside of Canada for business (full-time employment) or in public service of Canada or a Canadian province.

Apply for permanent residence (PR in Canada): Express Entry

Before you apply for permanent residence
You can only apply for permanent residence through Express Entry if you’ve received an invitation to apply.

Once you have your invitation to apply
There have been some changes to the way we process applications because of COVID-19. Find out how you’re affected.

Your Express Entry invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only. You should start filling out the online form right away so that you can get all the information and documents you need before your invitation expires.

Follow these steps to fill out the online form:
  • Sign in to your account.
  • Click the link to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.

When filling out the form:
  • Make sure you submit all of the required documents.
  • All of your answers must be complete and true.
  • Make sure all the mandatory fields are completed, or you won’t be able to submit your application.
  • You can save your information on the form and go back as often as you need to.

As a PR visa holder, you can enjoy the following benefits:

  • Can apply for Canadian citizenship in the future
  • Can live, work and study anywhere in Canada
  • Eligible for healthcare and other social benefits enjoyed by Canadian citizens
  • Protection under Canadian law

Canada PR Requirements:
Age: 10
Education: 25
Experience: 35
SELECTION CRITERIA: MAXIMUM POINTS

Lear More: PR in Canada