Canada PR – Benefits, Pathways and Application Process

Canada PR stands for Canada Permanent Resident. It is a status given by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to individuals who settle in Canada through various immigration pathways.

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Benefits of Canada PR

Significant advantages of being a Canadian Permanent Resident are:

• Getting a Social Insurance Number (SIN) 
• A healthcare coverage
• Equal social benefits as Canadian citizens
• Protection under the Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom
• Freedom to live, work, and study anywhere throughout the country
• If you have a Canada PR, you become eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship.

Maintaining the PR status

To maintain a PR status, an individual must stay in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years. The stay is not required to be consecutive.
You will not cease to be a Permanent Resident if your PR card expires. You will lose the status if:

• An officer declares that you are no longer a PR after the refusal of a PRTD appeal.
• You renounce the PR status voluntarily
• A removal order against you comes into force
• You become a Canadian citizen

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Limitations of Canada PR

Canadian Permanent Residency has very few limitations. An immigrant with a PR status cannot:

• Vote or run for any political office
• Work in any job that involves high-level security clearance
• If you are found guilty of committing any grave crime, you (or your family) can be deported from Canada

Canada PR Requirements

Before applying, make sure that you meet the following Canada PR requirements.

• You are 18 years old or older.
• You are eligible to apply through any one of Canada’s immigration pathways. For example, if you are applying through the Express Entry pathway, you must get an ITA in the draws to be eligible to apply for PR. Similarly, you must get a provincial nomination before applying through the Provincial Nominee Program
• You must have no criminal record and must be able to prove that you are not a legal, economic, security, or health liability to Canada.
• Sufficient proof of funds (if applicable)
• A successful Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
• Biometrics

Steps to Apply for Canada PR

Once you are eligible to apply for permanent residency, you can begin your application in the Canada PR portal. There are two phases in this process. The first phase involves the submission of documents and the Permanent Residency application. The second phase involves post-application steps. Below listed are the steps to apply for Canada PR. 

Phase I How to Apply for Canada PR?

STEP 1 Create an Account

The very first step would be to create an account in the IRCC PR portal. Once you create an account, you can use it to start a new PR application, as well as apply for the replacement or renewal of your PR card or PRTD. 

STEP 2 Begin a new PR application and select your Immigration Program

Once you have an account, begin a new PR application and select the immigration pathway you will be applying through. If you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry draw, you will need to apply through a different IRCC portal. 

STEP 3 Complete and submit your PR application

At this stage, you will be required to upload all the required documents. The set of documents varies according to the immigration pathway you have selected. For example, in case you are a provincial nominee, you will be required to upload a provincial nomination certificate and other related paperwork. On the other hand, if you are immigrating as an entrepreneur, the set of required documents will be different. 

After uploading all mandatory documents and uploading the fee receipt, submit your application.

Phase II  Application Decision, and COPR

The second phase begins after you submit a Canada PR application. This includes:

• Application Review: During this phase, a CIC officer will evaluate and review the PR application.
• IME request: While processing the IRCC would request an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). You will also be provided with the medical forms and instructions to conduct the medical assessment. The IME result will be valid for a year from the date of the exam.
• PR Decision: You will get an e-COPR or Confirmation of Permanent Residency if your PR application is successfully reviewed and approved by the IRCC. You will also be asked to submit your photographs for the PR card.

Landing in Canada

You do not become a Canadian Permanent Resident just by getting an eCOPR. When you land in Canada for the first time, you will still be a landed immigrant. At this stage, a landing interview at the Port of Entry (POE) will be conducted, and passports and documents will be reviewed. Keep the following documents ready at the time of your interview.

• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
• Passport
• COPR – do not sign the COPR in advance 
• Tickets
• ArriveCAN
• Custom Declaration Form
• List of accompanied goods
• All certificates such as birth certificates, academic certificates, etc
• Immunization certificate
• Medical prescriptions (if applicable)
• Proof of funds
• Job Offer
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Medical Acknowledgement

The landing interview might include questions about any possible change in your situation that must be reflected in the application, previous criminal records, and possible medical issues. You will also be required to provide a Canadian address. This is where the PR card will be delivered. Once the interview is completed, the officer will give you a copy of the signed COPR. This is the stage when you will be welcomed to Canada as a Permanent Resident. 

Your PR card will be delivered to your address in 18 days. If you do not have a mailing address at the time of landing, you can provide the address of any reliable third party such as your friends and relatives. Provision of a Canadian mailing address within 180 days is mandatory to get a PR card. If you are unable to provide it, you will need to apply for a PR card and pay a fee of $50 (CAD).

Canada PR through Express Entry

Getting a Canada PR through Express Entry is one of the most popular and fastest ways to settle and work in the country. Applying for Permanent Residency through this pathway includes the following steps. 

• Sign in and create an account through the GC-Key
• Create an Express Entry profile
• Be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Get a score from the Comprehensive Ranking System
• Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry draw
• Upload all the documents and apply for Canada PR within 60 days

Apply through the Provincial Nominee Program

Canadian provinces and territories invite eligible foreign workers through the PNP pathway. Becoming a provincial nominee is the second most popular pathway to get a Canada PR. You can apply through the PNP pathways in two ways

1. Provincial Nominee Program – Express Entry Process
2. Provincial Nominee Program – Non-Express Entry 

Canada PR through the PNP Express Entry Pathway

Apply through this pathway if:

• If you have a provincial nomination from any one of the provinces or territories
• You have an active Express Entry profile in the federal pool

If you satisfy all the conditions above, there will be two phases. The first will include the confirmation of your provincial nomination, and the second will be to update your nomination in your Express Entry profile. 

Phase 1 – Confirm your Nomination

After a PNP program approves your application, you must accept their nomination within 30 days. Most PNP Express Entry pathways require the Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code. 

Phase 2 – Adding provincial nomination to Express Entry profile

• Login to your Express Entry profile
• Confirm your provincial nomination
• Select the province that has nominated you
• Get the additional 600 CRS score that almost ensures an ITA
• Apply for Canada PR through Express Entry as a provincial nominee.

Canada PR through non-Express Entry PNP pathway

Becoming a permanent resident through the non-Express Entry PNP pathway involves the following main steps. 

• Apply to any one of the Provincial Nominee Programs
• Get a provincial nomination 
• Apply for Canada PR through PNP
• Get a COPR after application approval.

Canada PR via Family Sponsorship

Family Sponsorship allows the residents and citizens to sponsor their spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents to immigrate and settle in Canada. The individual who sponsors you must be at least 18 years old or above. Both the sponsor as well as the sponsored must download, complete, and sign:

• The Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking form (IMM 1344) – This form includes the undertaking that the sponsor will financially support the principal applicant for basic needs.
• The Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Form (IMM 5532) – This form will include detailed information about both the sponsor as well as the sponsee or the principal applicant. 

The principal applicant will:

• Login to the Canada PR portal
• Begin a new application
• Select the category they are being sponsored from
  • Spouse
    • Common-law in Canada
    • Family Class
  • Common-Law Partner
  • Conjugal Partner
  • Dependent Child
  • Other Relative
  • Adopted Child
  • Orphan sibling, nephew, etc.
• Upload all the documents signed and completed by the sponsor 
• Upload additional documents such as the PCC, IME, travel documents, birth certificates, proof of status, etc.
• Upload the fee payment receipt.
• Submit Canada PR through Family Sponsorship   

Apply through QSWP

Quebec Selected Skilled Worker (QSWP) enables eligible foreign workers to work and settle in Quebec. You must have a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) to apply for Canada PR through the QSWP. The entire process involves the following steps.

• Be eligible for the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program
• Submit an Express of Interest (EOI) on Arrima
• Get an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Selection (within 60 days)
• Upload and submit all mandatory documents
• Pay application fee of $895
• Get a CSQ or Quebec Selection Certificate if the application is approved.
• Apply for Canada PR through the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker

Canada PR through the Atlantic Immigration Program

As a foreign worker, you can apply for Canada PR through the Atlantic Immigration Program if:

• You have a job offer from a designated employer in any one of the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
• Work Experience of at least one year in the last 5 years.

As a foreign student, you are eligible if:

• Have a 2-year degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized institution in one of the Atlantic provinces.
• Have acquired the degree on a valid study permit
• Have lived in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island for at least 16 months in the last 2 years.
• The course was full-time. 

If you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can apply for Canada PR through the Atlantic Immigration Program. 

Canada PR for Caregivers

You can apply for Canada PR through the Caregivers pathway under three categories. 

1. Home Child Care Provider Pilot– Gaining Experience Category: A job offer in NOC 44100. This category is for applicants who do not have 12 months of work experience.
2. Home Support Worker Pilot – Gaining Experience Category – A job offer in NOC 44101. You can apply through this pathway if you don’t have one year of work experience.
3. Home Support Worker Pilot – Direct to permanent residence category: You must have one year of full-time work experience in NOC 44100 or NOC 44101. This work experience must be acquired within 3 years of applying to Canada PR.

Note: Currently, only the Home Support Worker Pilot is accepting applications. The rest of the Caregivers pathways have reached their limits for 2024. 

How to Apply through Agri-Food Pilot

To be eligible for Agri-Food Pilot you must:

• Have one year of continuous, full-time, and paid work experience in the past three years
• Get a full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent job offer

Once you meet all the eligibility requirements for the Agri-Food Pilot:

• Sign in to the Canada PR application portal.
• Download, complete, and upload the following digital forms:
  • IMM 0008 – Generic Application form for Canada
  • IMM 5669- Background/Declaration
  • IMM 5562- Supplementary Information
  • IMM 0116- Document Checklist
  • IMM 0114- Schedule 1 – Agri-Food Pilot
  • IMM 0115- Offer of Employment to a Foreign National (this must be completed, signed by the employer and sent to you)
• Submit Canada PR application through the Agri-Food Pilot.

Canada PR processing time

The processing time for Canada PR depends on the immigration pathway you have applied from. The approximate PR processing time for each program is tabulated below. 

Immigration Pathway	Canada PR processing time
Economic Immigration
Federal Skilled Worker Program	6 months
Federal Skilled Trades Program	Not available
Canadian Experience Class	5 months
Provincial Nominee Program	14 months
Quebec Selected Skilled Worker	10 months
Atlantic Immigration Program	6 months
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot	Not Available
Agri-Food Pilot	Not Available
Business Immigration pathways
Start-up Visa	37 months
Quebec entrepreneurs and investors	61 months
Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship of Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada	10 months (for outside Quebec) 26 months (for inside Quebec)
Sponsoring Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada	39 months (if sponsoring in Quebec) 12 months (if sponsoring outside Quebec)
Dependent Child (living in India)	12 months
Parents or Grandparents	48 months (in Quebec) 24 months (outside Quebec)
Caregivers
Home Child Care Provider: Direct to permanent residence category	31 months
Home Child Care Provider: Gaining experience category	34 months
Home Support Worker: Direct to permanent residence category	31 months
Home Support Worker: Gaining experience category	31 months

The processing time for Canada PR is subject to frequent changes. Moreover, it can also be impacted if:

• Your application requires additional information or supplementary documents
• The provided information is not easily verifiable 
• You are not as prompt in communications
• IRCC already has a backlog in application processing

Documents Required for Canada PR

The complete list of documents for Canadian permanent residency varies according to the immigration pathway you are applying from. However, certain documents are mandatory for Canada PR. 

• Travel Documents and Passports
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE test results for English proficiency. TEF and TCF for French language proficiency)
• Police Certificates and Clearances 
• Photos
• Birth Certificates
• PR application fee payment receipt
• IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Canada
• IMM 5406 – Additional Family Information
• IMM 5669 – Schedule A: Background/Declaration

All your paperwork must either be in French or English. In case they are any other languages, upload the original documents along with their English/French translations

Fees

Canada PR fees for various immigration pathways are given in the table below. 

Canada PR Pathways	Canada PR fee
Express Entry	$1,365
Provincial Nominee Program
Family Sponsorship
Quebec Selected Skilled Workers
Atlantic Immigration Program
Agri-Food Pilot
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Quebec entrepreneurs and investors	CAN $2140
Permanent residence pathway for Hong Kong residents: Canadian work experience	CAN$1,085
Permanent residence pathway for Hong Kong residents: In-Canada graduates
Home Child Care Provider: Direct to permanent residence category
Home Child Care Provider: Gaining experience category
Home Support Worker: Direct to permanent residence category
Home Support Worker: Gaining experience category

Note: Canada PR fee does not include the expenses of biometrics, medical exam, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), language proficiency tests, and application processing fees of various PNP programs.

Talent Connected Worldwide for Canada PR

Even though it is not mandatory to hire an immigration consultant, it is extremely necessary. Talent Connected Worldwide is an award-winning CICC-licensed consultant that: 

• Explains the immigration process in a simplified way.
• Gives a clear picture of your eligibility

• Helps you decide the best and the fastest way to get Canada PR.
• Trains you for IELTS for free
• Prepares all the mandatory and supplementary documents so that your application is processed quickly and has little chance of rejection.
• Ensures that you get the highest score in the PR points calculator (CRS points calculator)
• Stays informed about all the Immigration updates and the probable changes that might impact your case.

Frequently Asked Questions