Permanent residency in Canada is a status granted to foreign individuals who have been approved to settle permanently in Canada through a permanent residency application. Permanent residents have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the country, as well as access most social benefits available to Canadian citizens, such as health coverage and the public education system. Permanent residents must fulfill certain obligations, such as maintaining residency in Canada and renewing their permanent resident card. After living in Canada for a certain period, permanent residents may eventually be eligible for Canadian citizenship.
The Permanent Resident Card (PR card) is an official document issued by the Canadian government to permanent residents of Canada, serving as proof of their status while traveling. Most are valid for five years, but sometimes only for one year. Renewal is encouraged within the six months prior to expiration. Our Canadian immigration lawyers can help you renew your expired Canadian PR card.
If a permanent resident is outside Canada and wishes to enter the country, they can apply for a PRTD if they do not have a valid PR card. The PRTD is generally valid for a single entry into Canada, allowing the permanent resident to enter the country before applying for a PR card renewal or replacement.
The PRTD processing time vary depending on the country. Typically, it takes between 6 to 8 weeks, though in some cases, it may extend beyond eight weeks.
To maintain permanent resident status in Canada, it is necessary to meet the permanent residency requirements, which requires physical presence in the country for a specific period. This obligation generally requires 730 days of presence within a five-year period, with some exceptions.
Becoming a Canadian citizen is a crucial step for foreigners living in Canada. To do this, they must first be legally recognized permanent residents. However, this process involves more than just having permanent resident status. Applicants for Canadian citizenship must meet specific residency requirements. For more information about the process of obtaining Canadian citizenship and its requirements, please contact us.
Processing applications through Express Entry typically takes six months, though the duration can vary. Your profile remains active for 12 months. After receiving an invitation, you have 60 days to submit the required documents.
No, once you give up your Canadian PR, you will no longer be considered a permanent resident. To regain it, you would need to submit a new PR application, provided you meet all the necessary requirements. Deciding to give up Canadian PR is a significant decision. It’s crucial to seek advice from a Canada immigration specialist before making this choice. The consequences of renouncing PR can vary, so understanding the implications thoroughly is important before you renounce to your permanent residency in Canada.
There are many immigration pathways to become a Canadian permanent resident. For example, permanent residency can be obtained through economic immigration (such as the Express Entry program), Quebec immigration for skilled workers, business immigration, or sponsorship.
Numerous Canadian immigration programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Quebec immigration programs, require a specific amount of skilled work experience, which can put international students at a disadvantage. However, most international graduates in Canada can apply for a post-graduation work permit, allowing them to work in Canada and acquire the necessary work experience.
If you aim to immigrate to Canada permanently, starting as an international student is a practical first step. Our lawyers are here to assist you with everything from selecting a school to applying for a study permit.
Our Canada immigration lawyers are experts in helping people from around the world in obtaining permanent residency in Canada. While Canadian permanent residence applications might seem simple, the legal details and potential pitfalls are often quite complex. We frequently step in to fix issues that have arisen, usually after errors have occurred. Mistakes made by those who apply on their own can lead to costly delays or unfavorable results, which our experienced Canadian immigration lawyers can avoid.
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