Complete Guide to Canadian Permanent Residency
What is Canadian Permanent Residency?
Permanent residency in Canada is a status granted to a non-Canadian citizen which gives him the right to live and work in Canada without any time constraints for the stay. To request permanent residency, it is necessary to apply for it at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, thus participating in one of the many immigration programs.
Obtaining permanent residency in Canada means obtaining a Proof of Residence Document (PRTD) from the Canadian government. For each trip to and from Canada it will be necessary to present it each time. Beware, becoming a permanent resident does not mean you are a Canadian citizen. You may, in fact, still be a citizen of your home country and still have permanent resident status in Canada.
Would you like to become a resident of Canada but don’t know where to start?
We have thought of everything. Continue reading the article and you will find all the information relating to permanent residence in Canada!
Table of Contents
I migliori programmi di immigrazione per la residenza permanente
The first thing to do if you want to obtain permanent residency in Canada is to choose the best immigration program that is right for you. There are various programs available and the best ones are:
Express Entry is undoubtedly the fastest option for obtaining permanent residency in Canada. It is an online system that the Canadian government uses to screen candidates who want to move to Canada as skilled workers.
The Business Immigration program is the right immigration program for business people looking for new business opportunities in Canada.
This program allows applicants to move to live in Canada through a sponsorship from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident relative.
The provincial nomination program is suitable for those candidates who reflect the qualities and skills required by a given province to make a substantial contribution to local economic growth.
Permanent residency application: requirements
When applying for permanent residency, you need to provide several documents, so you should prepare them in advance to avoid invalidating your chances of obtaining residency. It is also essential to check the expiry dates of your passport, identity document and in general of all the required documentation. The main requirements for obtaining resident status are:
- Evidence of having sufficient funds to support you while in Canada
- Take a skills assessment test
- Language test results
- The originals and copies of the documents supporting the application (e.g. educational qualifications, identity documents, letter from the spouse, etc.)
- Completed permanent residence visa application
- Payment of application fees
- Attend interviews with Canadian immigration officers
How to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency
The steps to apply for permanent residency are:
1. Prepare the required documentation
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Representation form (if you have hired a representative to carry out the paperwork)
- Certificate of Adoption (if any)
- Divorce certificate (if any)
- Death certificate (for widowers)
- Certificate of criminal record from the Police
- Financial documentation
- Medical certifications
- Proof of citizenship or permanent residence of your sponsor
2. Fill out the Canadian PR application
Be careful to fill out the application in every part with correct and verifiable information. If certain sections do not conform to your profile, write “NA”, but never leave the question incomplete.
3. Validate the request
At the end of the compilation, don’t forget to validate the request by clicking on the appropriate button at the bottom of the form.
Note: This step only applies to applications submitted online.
4. Calculate and pay taxes
The total cost of the permanent residence tax in Canada is 500 Canadian dollars per adult (€357). It is advisable not to postpone payment, to avoid delays in processing the application. In order to pay the fee you must have:
A valid email address
A printer to print the receipt
A credit card
Note: The $500 CAD is for the permanent residency application fee only. This figure does not include medical examination fees, citizenship fees or dependents fees.
5. Submit your application and payment receipt
The last step to apply for permanent residence is to submit the form. Mail the application and payment receipt in a 9” x 12” (23cm x 30.5cm) envelope.
Tip: Relocation2Canada can help you go through all these steps easily. We are an immigration consultancy service and therefore we can apply on your behalf, taking care of all the paperwork and giving you a better chance of obtaining permanent residence in Canada.
What is the Canada Permanent Resident (PR) Card?
The Permanent Resident Card (PR) is the document that certifies your status as a Canadian Permanent Resident. You should always take it with you on any long-distance trip in and out of Canada, regardless of the mode of transportation you use to get around.
Always check the expiry date of your card. The validity of a permanent resident card ranges from 1 to 5 years.
Applicants who meet all requirements and obtain permanent residency will receive the card by mail. The Canadian government does not send this document overseas, so you need to find a trusted person in Canada who can get it for you.
The benefits of becoming a permanent resident of Canada
Becoming a Canadian resident is truly something to aspire to. The advantages and opportunities of this country are varied and there is nothing better than feeling part of one of the best countries in the world. The main advantages of permanent residency are:
✔️ The freedom to live and work anywhere in Canada
✔️ Full access to Canadian health and social services
✔️ The ability to sponsor your family members for their immigration
✔️ The opportunity to become a full-fledged Canadian citizen
Permanent residence in Canada: what you can and can't
- Receive most of Canada’s social benefits, including health benefits
- Live, work or study anywhere in Canada
- Applying for Canadian Citizenship (after a period of time as a resident)
- Receive the protection of Canadian legislation and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Don’t pay taxes
- Violate Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels
- Receive Canadian passport
- Leaving Canada for more than 739 days during a 5-year stay
The process of processing your Canadian Permanent Residency application can be lengthy and time consuming but it is definitely worth it. We at Relocation to Canada know how many lives have been improved by receiving residency in Canada. In fact, our services are designed precisely to allow foreigners to realize their dream of moving to Canada in the simplest and most correct way possible.
Contact us if you would like more information on how we can help you with your immigration process to Canada. You will not regret!
