How to Become a Permanent Resident of Canada?

Moving to a new country and grinding it all to acquire the status of a permanent resident is tough, I get it.

Luckily for you, Canada Hustle is here to give you 5 amazing tips on how to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.

Permanent Resident of Canada

Are you an outsider residing in Canada and don’t have a permanent residence or PR card in Canada? A PR card is an official card provided by the Government of Canada that proves your permanent residency status in Canada.

1. What Is the Need to Be a Canadian Permanent Resident?

To live in any place without enjoying the full-fledged rights of a citizen doesn’t make sense. People not born in Canada but residing there for a longer period can attain permanent residence in Canada.

It allows the person to stay there as long as they want to without feeling left out. When you are confirmed that you will continue working or staying in Canada, you must apply for permanent resident status.

After staying there as a permanent resident for more than 3 or 4 years, one becomes eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

2. How to Become a Permanent Resident of Canada?

To be a permanent resident of Canada, you will have to apply for permanent residency. Some procedures need to be followed in this case.

Firstly, you will have to confirm your eligibility and fill in all the queries given in the application form. Go through the step-by-step instructions explained below:

2.1 How to Confirm Your Eligibility?

Here are some of the ways by which you can confirm your eligibility.

2.1.1. Register a Claim

Register a claim to the Canadian Government, if you are applying as a refugee. You will be eligible to apply for permanent residency only if your claim gets approved by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board.

Many refugees have been resettled as permanent residents by the Canadian Government with the help of the Canada Immigration and Refugee Board.

2.1.2. Stay in Canada

While you go through the process of applying for permanent residency, you are advised to stay in Canada only. You won’t be allowed to apply while living outside Canada until you complete the application process.

 2.2. Express Entry

It is an online system to rank the candidates depending on various factors. Eligible contenders are supposed to share an online profile or Expression of Interest under any of the three Canadian Immigration Programs to the Express Entry Pool.

• Economic class.
• Family class.
• Business class.

The highest-ranked candidates are considered for the Invitation to Apply(ITA). Only the candidates who receive ITA are eligible to apply for permanent resident status.

This Express Entry invitation remains valid for only 60 days. Therefore, you must fill out your form with no delay after receiving it.

2.3. How to Apply?

Once you prove eligible to apply for a permanent resident card in Canada and receive an invitation to apply, the next step in this process is to fill out the application form.

2.3.1. Consult any Legal Person or Representative

If unsure of filling out the form, consult a representative as they will help you with other legal guidance and advice relating application form. They could be a lawyer, legal guardian, or family member.

You need to mention their name and contact information in your form if you take their assistance.

2.3.2. Get the Online Form

You can download the online application from the Government of Canada website. Read the form thoroughly, you can fill out NA if any question is not applied to you.

2.3.4. Fill in Personal Details

Fill in all the personal details, including your name, age, gender, contact number, citizenship, and mailing address within Canada very accurately.

2.3.5. Provide Educational and Professional Information

You have to provide all detailed information regarding your educational institutions, employers, and professional trips in and outside Canada, all for at least the last 5 years.

2.3.6. Add Travel Documents

If you have any travel document provided by Canadian Government for your refugee status, attach its certified copy with the form or any identity document issued to you by any other country.

2.3.7. Provide Photographs

You also need to give your latest photographs with the form according to the guidelines issued.

2.3.8. Take a Print

Once you are done with all the entries, take its printout and add your legit signature with the date on it.

2.3.9. Pay the Fees

You can pay the processing fee for this application via, Cheques, money order, the credit card of your Canadian bank account, or online banking.

Read thoroughly the application guidelines to know about your fees.

2.3.10. Mail It

Attach your filled permanent residency application form with all required documents and photographs, mail it to the address mentioned there.

2.3.11. Receive the PR Card

You must provide an appropriate mailing Canadian address to receive the PR card. If you don’t receive it within 180 days of submission, contact the authorities.

If your application is cancelled for any reason during the process, you can reapply through the same procedure.

2.3.12. Renewal

Don’t forget to renew your PR card before its expiry date. You don’t need to renew it if you apply for Canadian citizenship before the expiry date.

3. Other Ways to Get a Permanent Residency in Canada

3.1 The Provincial Nominee Program

There are many In-demand jobs in Canada in almost every sector providing numerous opportunities in several Canadian provinces to fill the labor gap in these sectors and improve the Canadian economy.

Each province in Canada has its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each PNP has different requirements to be qualified for permanent residence.

The more in-demand job you are in, the greater the chances of your approval for permanent residency in that province.

Most of these PNP programs are linked to the Express Entry system. It means you can be selected directly through the Express Entry draw pool, and you will receive a Provincial Nomination(PN).

Thus, your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) increase, and ultimately you can get permanent residence in that Canadian province.

NOTE– Choose the province that has your job in demand.

3.2 Family Sponsorship Visa

One can be a permanent resident in Canada under a Family Sponsorship Visa if any of their family members is already a permanent resident there.

3.2.1. Eligibility Criteria

A permanent resident of Canada living or working there can sponsor their family member (spouse, dependent children, parents, grandparents, conjugal partner, common-law partner, or legal partner) for permanent residence or citizenship of Canada.

NOTE – The person should be physically present in Canada during the process.

3.2.2. Procedure

The process goes through an application form. One should have the application package, including the checklist for both the permanent resident and the person to be sponsored.

Application is submitted after filling all the details of both parties correctly with all the necessary documents with valid proof of income, relationship, and support.

Pay the application fees along with other clearance fees. Once the application is cleared, you get the permanent resident status and further related instructions.

4. Benefits of Attaining Permanent Residency in Canada

The Canadian Law and Freedom and Canadian Charter of Rights allow permanent residents of Canada to apply for Canadian citizenship and also provide them with certain benefits.

• You receive several social benefits from being a Canadian citizen.
• Permanent residents get a free education in Canada up to 12th grade. Later they also get some reduction in tuition fees for university education.
• It is needed for students and people working in Canada for an extended period. A permanent residence status gives you access to free health and medical facilities.
• You can stay or work at any of your desired places in Canada.
• It provides you with certain basic legal rights in Canada.
• You can easily apply for Canadian citizenship.
• If you don’t want to acquire Canadian citizenship, you can stay as a permanent resident. This will keep you connected with your own country.
• A permanent resident of Canada can also sponsor their relative for a PR card or Canadian citizenship as per the guidelines issued.

5. Points to be Noted

• You can leave or go abroad once you get the permanent resident card but make sure you don’t stay outside for over two years.
• The residency obligations in Canada require you to live for at least two years in every 5-year term.
• If guidelines are not followed, you can lose your permanent residency in Canada.

Bottom Line

These are straightforward ways to be a permanent resident of Canada. So, follow these instructions and become a permanent resident of the multicultural and vibrant country of Canada.

Also, remember that a permanent resident in Canada is still an immigrant and not a citizen of Canada, but he becomes eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship in future.

FAQs

1. How much time does it take to become a Canadian permanent resident?

To obtain a PR Card, you must fulfill the residency requirement. Within the last five (5) years, you must have spent a minimum of 730 days physically in Canada.

2. Is obtaining permanent residence in Canada challenging?

Migrating to Canada is generally not too challenging. It’s simpler for you to meet the requirements for one immigration channel because Canada is quite welcoming to new immigrants and provides a variety of immigration programs.

3. Can I get PR after living in Canada for two years?

To qualify for permanent residency only through the Canadian Experience Class, you must have achieved at least  1 year full time (1,560 hours) or 1 year of part time work of around 1,560 hours only.

4. Is migrating to Canada without a job possible?

No, you often don’t require a job offer. However, if you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and have lack the resources to maintain yourself and your family in Canada, you will need one.