Want to live in Canada permanently and enjoy many of the same rights and privileges as Canadian citizens? Permanent Residency in Canada (PR) is the answer.
Securing a Canadian PR gives non-Canadian individuals the right to live, work, and study in Canada for an indefinite period. The good news is – between 2025 and 2027, Canada plans to welcome more than 1.1 million new permanent immigrants.
What are the different ways to get a Canada PR? What are the benefits of being a permanent resident? Let’s check it out.
Key Takeaways
- Canada offers multiple PR routes, including Express Entry, PNP, family sponsorship, and study-to-PR.
- Express Entry is the fastest pathway, with processing times of about 6 months.
- PR holders get access to healthcare, education, job mobility, and citizenship.
- Canada plans to admit 1.1+ million immigrants by 2027.
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Ways to Get Permanent Residency in Canada
The Canadian government offers multiple pathways to help immigrants apply for Canada PR
The Express Entry System
- Fastest route to Canada PR for skilled workers.
- Candidates are selected for three main federal immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- The FSWP is meant for skilled professionals with work experience outside Canada, the CEC is for skilled workers having work experience in Canada, and the FSTP targets skilled workers who work in a trade occupation outside Canada.
- Eligible candidates have to create a profile and submit it online.
- They will be assigned a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on factors like age, education, language skills, and work experience.
- Those with the highest CRS scores will be invited to apply for PR.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Under the PNP, Canada’s provinces and territories can nominate skilled people who wish to immigrate to Canada, live in a particular province, and become permanent residents.
- Each province and territory has its own requirements and criteria for nominating people.
- The program aims to address local labour market needs.
- There are 2 ways to apply for the PNP. One, Non-Express Entry, wherein you apply directly to the respective province or territory through its own immigration streams. Two, through Express Entry if PNPs are aligned with the Express Entry system.
- PNP streams are ideal for candidates who may not have high CRS scores but possess skills that a particular province needs.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Atlantic Canada has its own immigration program, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), allowing employers to attract and retain foreign talent.
- Applicants wishing to immigrate to Atlantic Canada must have a valid job offer from an employer in any of the four provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Family Sponsorship
- If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members such as spouse, partner, dependent children, parents, and grandparents to become permanent residents.
- Sponsors must be financially responsible for their family once they arrive in Canada.
- This route does not require CRS points.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
- The RNIP aims to support small and remote communities in Canada by attracting skilled immigrants.
- Candidates are recommended by participating communities that meet local labour needs.
- Applicants must have a job offer from an employer in a participating community, hold a high school diploma, have a minimum of work experience, language, and settlement fund requirements.
Business and Entrepreneur Immigration
- The Federal Start-Up Visa Program or the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program is designed for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who wish to establish a business in Canada and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
- Candidates must meet certain requirements, such as a qualifying business idea, a letter of support from a designated organisation, meet minimum language requirements, and have sufficient funds to settle in Canada.
Study-to-PR Pathway
- A Post-Graduation Work Permit allows international students studying in Canada to work anywhere in the country.
- With work experience, students can qualify for PR through the Canadian Experience Class program of the Express Entry system, which gets processed in 6 months.
Quebec Immigration Programs
- Quebec has its own immigration programs – Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
- While QSWP is for skilled workers who intend to move to Quebec and become permanent citizens, the PEQ is for international students who have completed their post-graduation.
- Selected applicants are given a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec), issued by Quebec’s Immigration Ministry.
Caregiver Programs
- Canada offers specific PR pathways for caregivers who provide care to children, elderly persons, or individuals with medical needs.
- Eligible caregivers can apply for PR after gaining sufficient work experience in Canada.
What Are the Benefits of a Canada PR?
There are several benefits of obtaining permanent residency in Canada such as –
- Right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
- Access to Canada’s universal healthcare system at little or no cost.
- Children of Canadian PR holders get free public education up to secondary level. For higher education, the tuition fee is much less compared to that of international students.
- Direct pathway to Canadian citizenship after holding PR status for a few years.
- Access to various social security benefits such as Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), child benefits, etc. These benefits provide financial support during unforeseen circumstances.
- PR holders can sponsor eligible family members, including spouse, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, to live in Canada.
- Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Canadian PR holders have the freedom to travel in and out of Canada several times. They can also relocate and settle in any province.
- Wide range of job opportunities without the need for a work permit.
Conclusion
A booming economy, multicultural society, and high quality of life are some of the reasons why Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for immigrants globally. With numerous pathways to PR, you need to choose the right PR route depending on age, work experience, language skills, education, etc.
Permanent Residency in Canada – FAQs
Yes. You can lose your PR status if you fail to meet the residency requirements, such as living in Canada for at least two out of every five years. Your PR can also be cancelled if you commit any crime or provide false information in the application.
It depends on the pathway. While Express Entry applications typically take around six months after receiving an Invitation to Apply, other pathways may take longer.
Yes, you can. However, having a valid job offer can improve your chances by increasing your CRS score or qualifying you for certain provincial programs.
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