A permanent resident is an individual that has obtained indefinite Canadian immigration status, in other words, a person that enters and remains in Canada by legal means. Specifically, this person will have to meet residency obligations and will also need to follow all the laws of Canada to maintain it. In fact, having Canadian permanent residence is a commitment.
There are limitations to what a permanent resident can do in Canada. For instance, they cannot vote or run for political office and they cannot hold certain jobs that have high-security clearance.
How to obtain Permanent Residence in Canada?
There are broad categories and different programs for Canadian immigration. Some are very active and ever-changing while others open for certain periods of time. In fact, they change according to the needs and demands in Canadian economy, labour market, special circumstances, ministerial instructions by the Canadian government, among others. Canadian Immigration programs may be created or maintained based on different selection factors and circumstances:
- Skilled work experience
- Education
- Language abilities (English and French)
- Graduating from a school in Canada
- Starting a business
- Previous or current work in Canada
- Working as a caregiver
- Self-employed persons (cultural or athletic activities)
- Being nominated to apply by a province or territory
- Obtaining protection, refugee status or being privately sponsored as a refugee
- Being sponsored by qualifying family members already in Canada
What to expect when applying for Canadian Permanent Residence?
The most important factors to consider when making an application are:
- Meeting eligibility for the program
- Being admissible to Canada
- Submitting mandatory and/or supporting documents
- Preparing a complete application
- Keeping all information updated
- Acting quickly to the requests of immigration officials
Once the application is approved, persons abroad will receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV), for countries that require visas to enter Canada. Similarly to temporary residents, when a permanent resident visa holder seeks entry into Canada, they must also be examined by an officer. Subject to the regulations, every person seeking to enter Canada must appear for an examination to determine whether that person has a right to enter Canada or is or may become authorized to enter and remain in Canada.
For applicants that are in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide instructions on the next steps to complete landing (finalizing the grant of permanent residency).
Maintaining Permanent Resident Status
In order to keep permanent resident status, the individual must meet with their residency obligations of being present in Canada for 730 days (2 years) during a five-year period. To clarify, that time does not need to be continuous and may change depending on the government of Canada’s changes in policies, regulations and measures. In addition, a permanent resident must follow all the laws of Canada and not be subject to a removal order against them that comes into force.
North Compass Immigration Consulting, can assist you with your Canadian immigration application, including:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Family sponsorships (spouse, common-Law partner, conjugal partner, dependent children)
- Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program(PGPP)*
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
- Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFIP)**
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP)***
- Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP)***
- Self-Employed individuals
! This is not a complete list of the programs and categories we work with. Contact us if you have other immigration needs.
* An Interest to Sponsor form must be submitted to IRCC to be included in the Invitations to Apply sent to potential sponsors. In 2024, IRCC sent Invitations To Apply to potential sponsors from the 2020 pool. Those that were invited have until August 2, 2024 by 23:59 ET to submit a complete application. IRCC will not admit any exceptions.
** Extended until May 14, 2025.
*** Ended on June 17, 2024. However, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced on June 3, 2024 that new enhanced caregiver pilots will be established. No updates yet.
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