Permanent Residency in Canada: How to Apply for Canada PR in 2023
Would you like to learn how to become a permanent resident in Canada? The Canada PR process requires determining your eligibility, meeting the requirements, and completing the PR application!
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 465,000 individuals to become permanent residents in 2023 and that number continues to grow!
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.
How to Become a Canadian Permanent Resident in 2023
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.
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
Canada Permanent Residency Requirements
Every Canadian PR pathway has its own set of qualifying requirements and its important to receive immigration help and do the correct research to ensure you qualify for a specific path.
Canada PR Processing Times
The time it takes to obtain Canada PR is based on the pathway you are taking and your qualifications. For example, it you have an outstanding CRS score, you could be invited to apply for permanent residency much quicker and so forth.
Related Article: Canada Visa Processing Times
Canada PR Period of Stay
A Canadian 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.
How You Can Lose Canada Permanent Residency
There are a few ways one could lose their Canada PR status which include:
- Haven't met the physical presence requirements
- You become a Canadian citizen
- Renouncing your PR status
- You become inadmissible to Canada
Related Article: Can I Lose Permanent Residency in Canada?
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.
Renewing Your PR Status
When becoming a permanent resident in Canada, you are responsible of renewing your status every 5 years. To do this, you must:
- complete the renewal online application
- make sure your passport is valid
- ensure you still qualify for Canada PR
- gather your supporting documents, and
- pay the application fee
Related Article: How to Apply, Renew, or Replace Your Canada PR Card
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.
5 Main Immigration Pathways for Canadian Permanent Residency
The Express Entry system manages permanent residency applications for permanent for immigrants who can fill jobs where there is a lack of available skilled Canadian workers through specific economic immigration programs. Explore the links below to learn more!
Canada offers tremendous opportunities to foreigners who come with business intentions. Canada’s business immigration pathways us for newcomers who have experience in owning, managing, or investing in businesses. Explore the links below to learn more!
Family sponsorship is a way to reunite families in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada through several sponsorship programs. Explore the links below to learn more!
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program aimed to help temporary foreign workers and foreign students already in Canada to apply their work experience and education toward their Canada PR applications. Explore the links below to learn more!
The Provincial Nominee Programs are for those who have the skills, education, and work experience to fill labor shortages in Canada. Each province and territory has its own streams that target students, business people, and workers. Explore the links below to learn more!
Adjust Your Temporary Status to Permanent Residency
Whether you are in Canada temporarily to live, work, or study, you are given the option to adjust your status to permanent residency.
Work Permit – Applying for permanent residency through a work permit is very common and can be done through:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Study Permit – As an international student in Canada looking for permanent residency, you have very similar options to those with a work permit. The best way to successfully obtain permanent residency with a study permit in Canada is to apply for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program and then applying for permanent residency.
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
Canada each year plans to invite and accept thousands of individuals to become permanent residents. As you can see by the chart below, over 1 million permanent residents are being accepted to live in Canada.
Related Article: Canada’s Multi-Year Plan on Immigration 2022-2024.
2022
431,645
2023
447,055
2024
451,000
Get Help to Apply for Permanent Residency 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.
Visaplace has over 15 years of experience and has helped thousands of people wanting to immigrate to Canada! We look forward to helping you accomplish your immigration goals.
Interested in Immigrating to Canada Permanently?
Visaplace has helped thousands of foreign nationals virtually across the globe successfully obtain Canada PR through various pathways and we can help you too! Speak with an immigration professional to see if you qualify and determine the best option for YOU!