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Immigrating into Canada

Permanent Residency

Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada

A Permanent Resident (PR) is someone who has been granted PR status by Canada but is NOT a Canadian Citizen. Permanent residency is usually granted to citizens of other countries, but some may be stateless persons. Acquiring PR status is the first step for those interested in becoming Canadian citizens through naturalization.

Individuals with PR status CAN: Individuals with PR status CANNOT:
  • Get most social benefits that Canadians receive (e.g. Social Insurance Number to work in Canada, and some healthcare coverage depending on the province).
  • Live, work, or study anywhere in Canada.
  • Apply for Canadian citizenship (check Canadian Citizenship tab for other requirements).
  • Get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  • Must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
  • Vote or run for political office.

 

  • Hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.

How To Get Permanent Resident Status

There are many available pathways (streams, programs, pilots, etc.) to acquire PR status in Canada.

DISCLAIMER: Each pathway has its own unique details to consider. This page aims to simplify most of the information to serve as a guide for navigating the various PR pathways available. However, please note that for obtaining complete and updated information, and when deciding to apply for PR, always consult the IRCC website and its related tabs concerning permanent residency.

Various pathways have distinct eligibility criteria for accompanying the PR application. Below are examples of immigration streams, programs, or pilots for obtaining PR status:

List Styling
Note: The list above is NOT extensive. Various PR pathways are driven by different needs in Canada. Some may become available from time to time whereas some close after a certain time period.

Eligibility

Note: The eligibility section describes the MINIMUM criteria one must possess before applying for a PR pathway. The requirements section will outline ADDITIONAL requirements typically submitted to complete the PR application process, in addition to those requirements establishing your eligibility.

In order to familiarize yourself with the terminology used within the eligibility and requirements section of the immigration system, please know the following terms:

National Occupational Classification (NOC): Canada’s national system for describing occupations. It lists all occupations in the Canadian labor market. Furthermore, it describes each job according to the training, education , experience and responsibilities needed to work in an occupation. Starting Nov 16, 2022, the preferred version of the NOC is the NOC 2021 version 1.0.  

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): The Canadian standard used to describe, measure, and recognize the English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants intending to live, work, or apply for citizenship in Canada. It assesses one’s linguistic abilities across four categories: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC): Is the French language counterpart of CLB. It is used to assess abilities in the French language across four categories: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Current Pathways to Permanent Residency

Express Entry

An online system that IRCC uses to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.

Under Express Entry there are three (3) categories, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, with different eligibility for each.

  1. Canadian Experience Class: for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience.
  2. Federal Skilled Worker Program: for skilled workers with foreign work experience.
  3. Federal Skilled Trades program: for skilled workers who are qualified in a SKILLED TRADE.


To be eligible for these, you must have the following:

Canadian Experience Class
Canadian Experience Class
Eligibility Description
Language
 Requirement		 English or French skills MUST be at least either:CLB / NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations

OR

CLB / NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations

in all four categories (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
Job Offer NOT required.
Work Experience CANADIAN work experience listed in one (1) or more of NOC.
Work Experience Duration One (1) year in Canada in the last three (3) years.
Note: the one year can be either a combination of full-time or part-time.
Education NOT required.
Note: you can get more selection criteria or points for having a secondary or post-secondary education.

 

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades program

Quebec-selected Skilled Workers

For skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada AND live in Quebec. 

IMPORTANT: Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada, allowing the province to establish its own selection criteria for immigrants who will be well-adapted to living in Quebec. As a result, immigrating to the province of Quebec requires applications through BOTH the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada portals.

Note: Please visit the Government of Quebec website immigration tab for the complete information. 

To be eligible for this, you must have the following:

Eligibility Description
  • Hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de Sélection du Québec) from the Government of Quebec.
  • You MUST be holding this certificate. This certificate shows that the Province of Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant. 
  • Apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate. The province will assess you using their own rules before providing the certificate.

Once you hold the Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) you may proceed with the PR application for this stream through the permanent residency portal of IRCC. 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

For workers possessing the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory, desiring to live in that said province or territory, and aiming to acquire permanent resident status in Canada. 

The application for this program can be submitted through an Express Entry pathway or a Non-Express Entry pathway with the nomination serving as an extra document for your application. Once granted a nomination, you will be granted an additional six-hundred (600) points.

Note: Each province or territory has different requirements and information regarding their process for nomination. And as such, please consult the website dedicated to the Provincial Nominee Program of each province or territory for the complete information.

To be eligible for this, you must have the following:

Eligibility Description
Nomination granted by a province or territory Contact the province or territory for a nomination before or during the PR application process.
Work Experience Depends on the province or territory.
Work Experience Duration Depends on the province or territory.
Education Depends on the province or territory.
Express Entry criteria
OR
Non-Express Entry process		 If you are Make sure you qualify for one (1) of the three (3) programs managed through Express Entry.

For the non-express entry procedure, please refer to the website dedicated to the Provincial Nominee Program of each province or territory.

Atlantic Immigrant Program

For skilled workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one (1) of four (4) Atlantic provinces in Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador).

For skilled workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one (1) of four (4) Atlantic provinces in Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador).

Note: This is an employer-driven program designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates for jobs they have been unable to fill locally.

To be eligible for this, you must have the following:

Eligibility Description
Job Offer You MUST have received a job offer (a valid job offer is outlined here) from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
Certificate of Endorsement IMPORTANT: The employer will handle this process.

Without the endorsement, the PR application for the Atlantic Immigration Program should NOT be submitted.
EITHER


Qualifying Work Experience


OR


A recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada

 For the qualifying work experience, you must have worked a job under the NOC for at least one-thousand five-hundred sixty (1,560) hours in the last five (5) years.

You do NOT need to meet the work experience requirements if you’re an international graduate who has the following: 

  • Has a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certification that took at least two (2) years of studies and is from a recognized post-secondary institution in one (1) of the four (4) Atlantic provinces in Canada.
  • Was a full-time student for the entire time you were studying
  • Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces in Canada for at least sixteen (16) months during the last two (2) years before you graduated
  • Had the visa or permit you needed to work, study or get training while you were in Canada
Education MUST have one of these:


A one (1) year Canadian post-secondary educational credential or higher, or equivalent from outside Canada if you have a job offer at the NOC 2021 TEER 0 or TEER 1


OR


A Canadian high school diploma, or the equivalent from outside Canada if you have a job offer at the NOC 2021 TEER 2, 3, or 4 category.


OR


An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm that your studies are equal to or higher than the required level of education for your job offer.

Language requirements English or French skills must be AT LEAST,

CLB / NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations,

 

AND

 

CLB / NCLC 4 for TEER 4 occupations, in all four categories (reading, writing, speaking, listening).

 
Settlement Funds You DON’T NEED to show proof of funds if you’re already living and working in Canada with a VALID work permit. 

 

In order to support yourself and your family in Canada, proof of funds must be shown. The amount depends on the size of your family and anyone you support.

 

Programs for Caregivers

There are many programs for care workers to work and acquire PR in Canada. As these programs change regularly, please consult the IRCC Caregiver tab to receive the updated news. An example of such a program is the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot.

Home Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
They are a five (5) year pilot program that allows qualified caregivers and their family members to come to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents.

Through these pilots, you will usually get an open work permit to come to Canada and work temporarily. You must always have a valid temporary resident status while working in Canada.

To be eligible for these pilots, you must have the following:

Eligibility Gaining Experience Direct Permanence
Work Eperience IRCC will use any past experience or training you have to decide if you’re able to do the work described for the following NOC job descriptions: 


NOC 44100 - Home child care provider


NOC 44101 - Home support worker

 HAVE worked full-time in Canada in one (1) of these NOC jobs:

NOC 44100 - Home child care provider

NOC 44101 - Home support worker
Job Offer Genuine and valid (as outlined here) for a job that matches the above NOC teers. NOT required unless asked for.
Work Experience Duration You have NEVER worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada OR have less than twelve (12) months of work experience. You HAVE worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada for a total of twelve (12) months or more in the last thirty-six (36) months.
Language requirements English or French skills must be AT LEAST CLB / NCLC 5 in all four categories (reading, writing, speaking, listening. English or French skills must be AT LEAST CLB / NCLC 5 in all four categories (reading, writing, speaking, listening.
Education MUST have completed one (1) year of post-secondary education credential in Canada.


OR


An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm that your studies are equal to or higher than the required level of education.

 MUST have completed one (1) year of post-secondary education credential in Canada.

OR

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm that your studies are equal to or higher than the required level of education.

 

Start-up Visa Program

Targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada (outside Quebec) that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale. 

To be eligible for this, you must have the following:

Eligibility Description
Business Qualifications Meet the outlined conditions.
Letter of Support You MUST get a letter of support from a designated organization. Each organization has its own requirements so please consult the designated organization itself. 


Note: a designated organization is a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups.

Language Requirements English or French skills MUST be at least CLB / NCLC 5 in all four categories (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
Settlement Funds In order to support yourself and your family in Canada, proof of funds must be shown. The amount depends on the size of your family and anyone you support.

 

Agri-Food Pilot

The pilot is designed to help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residency for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries with specific occupations

Eligibility Description
If you reside in Canada when you submit the application then,EITHER

A Job Offer

OR

Educational Requirements

If you are residing outside of Canada when you apply, BOTH above are required.

For the job offer, you MUST have received an eligible job offer that meets all the following requirements.For the educational requirements, you must have at least the following:

a Canadian high school diploma 

OR

an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization or professional body showing that you completed a foreign credential at the secondary school level or above. 

Note: The ECA must also be less than five (5) years old on the date of your application, and it also must have been issued on or after the date the organization was designated.

Work Experience CANADIAN work experience in one (1) or more of the listed eligible industries that was gained through either of the following work permits:

 

an open work permit for vulnerable workers 

 

OR 


a work permit issued on the basis of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) with a minimum twelve (12) month duration, under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Work Experience Duration CANADIAN work experience in</span

Requirements

Note: The eligibility section describes the MINIMUM criteria one must possess before applying for a PR pathway. The requirements section will outline ADDITIONAL requirements typically submitted to complete the PR application process, in addition to those requirements establishing your eligibility.

You would need different requirements at different stages of the PR application process.

The following are SOME BUT NOT ALL requirements that are typically requested from you:

Requirements When is it required?
Passport or travel document For most PR pathways. For identification purposes.
Proof of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment report (ECA) For PR pathways that require this OR for extra points pertaining to education outside Canada.


Note: The ECA report must be less than five (5) years old on the date IRCC receives the application, as well as the ECA must have been obtained within 24 months prior to the date you applied for permanent residency. 

Provincial nomination For the Provincial Nominee Program. For an additional six-hundred (600) selection points within the system.
Language test results For most PR pathways. The results from a designated language testing organization MUST  be submitted with the application. Here are samples of accepted tests. 

Note: These results MUST also be less than two (2) years old.

Proof of work experience For certain PR pathways that require this.
A written job offer from an employer in Canada For certain PR pathways that require this. Usually the permanent residence pathway will describe the validity of the job-offer within its application description.
Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation For certain PR pathways that require this. It is issued by a Canadian province or territory.
Proof of funds For certain PR pathways that require this.
Digital Photos For PR card, and identification purposes.
Documents with other names For identification purposes and confirmation of aliases.
Police certificate(s) If requested by the application system, it will ask you for information about yourself and any family members aged 18 years or older who have stayed in any country for six (6) months or more continuously within the last ten (10) years.

 

Note: It is NOT required for any period of time before you were eighteen (18) years old or for time spent in Canada.


Note: an officer may ask for additional police certificates from any time in your life since you were 18 years old.
Birth certificate If declaring dependent children with your application.
Marriage certificate If declaring your status as married for your application. 
Divorce certificate and legal separation agreement If declaring your status as divorced for your application.
Death certificate If declaring your status as widowed for your application.
Adoption certificate If declaring your status as adopted for your application. 
Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual Form If the applicant wants IRCC to release information from one’s application to someone other than themselves in which that someone is not acting as a representative.

Note: there is a detailed instruction on how to form this form inside the PR application portal.

DISCLAIMER: As mentioned above, these are SOME BUT NOT ALL of the requirements typically involved in the PR application process. Please consult the IRCC website and its immigration tab for the complete and updated information for your PR pathway of interest.

Procedure

It is now mandatory to apply ONLINE using the permanent residence portal. However, if accommodations are required, you can ask for another format. Please contact IRCC through the portal should this be the case. 

The application process can be completed by an adult applicant alone or with the assistance of an immigration representative. Please follow the procedures for either option.

Link: Permanent Residence Portal

To be processed by the applicant (Adult)

Procedure:
1. Sign in or create an account with the portal above.
2. Fill out the REQUIRED digital forms and PDF forms online for yourself and any family members 18 or older. Some forms MUST be filed out on your computer.
Note: each stream, program or pilot will have a checklist associated with the application. Please make sure you have all the required documents.Note: Make sure you have Adobe Reader 10 or higher and Javascript is turned on to properly open these forms.The REQUIRED digital and PDF forms for the pathways described in this web page:

3.Upload one (1) photo for each person in your application.

Note: Please follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo.

4. Pay your application fees (the fee varies depending on the permanent residence pathway).

Note: In most cases, the application fee includes: processing fees, right of permanent residence fee, biometrics fee, medical exams, language testing, educational credential assessment, etc. 

Note: In most cases, you must pay a biometrics fee. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. You will be invited to provide your biometrics after a certain time post-application.

5. Answer all questions in the application.

6. Upload the processing fee receipt, all REQUIRED documents, and applicable SUPPORTING documents (depending on the permanent residence pathway).

Note: the required documents, as well as supporting documents vary depending on the pathway you are applying for.

7. The principal applicant signs the application electronically (including those of the applicant’s family members).

Note: the applicant must be the one who types the name as this is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

8. Submit the COMPLETE application. Submitting an incomplete application might be a cause for rejection or re-submission.

To be processed with an immigration representative

Alternatively, you may appoint an immigration representative to assist you with the procedure above. HOWEVER, this does not imply that they will complete the entire process on your behalf. Most processes still require input from the applicant. Therefore, please follow the procedures outlined above under the guidance of your immigration representative.

An immigration representative is typically an Immigration Consultant or a Lawyer. 

They CAN do the following: They CANNOT do the following:
 

  • Provide advice and help with your application (usually with a fee).
  • Help you prepare the forms and documents you need to upload.
  • Answer questions about the forms.
  • Communicate with IRCC on behalf of the applicant through their own account.
  • Open a portal account on your behalf.
  • Electronically sign the application for you.
  • Sign into the portal using your username and password.

Should you wish to appoint an immigration representative, the applicant must do the following:

  • Submit a use of representative form
  • Sign the representative form digitally or by hand and get your immigration representative to do so as well
  • Upload it with your application

After Procedure

Processing

After submission of the application, IRCC will CHECK the following:

  • If application for permanent residence is completely and correctly filled
  • Payment of the processing fee
  • Complete requirements
  • Inclusion of all required documents
  • Verification if your information

The following could DELAY your application:

  • Incomplete application
  • Unclear documents
  • Untranslated documents (has to be certified English or French)
  • Verification of your information and documents
  • Your medical condition requires more tests
  • Identification of a criminal or security issue
  • IRCC needs to consult other offices in Canada or abroad
  • Change to applicant’s details

The IRCC could CONTACT you for the following: 

  • Ask you to provide your biometrics
  • Ask you to get medical exams
  • Confirm that we reviewed your application
  • Ask for more documents, if necessary (such as medical exam)
  • Set up an interview, if necessary
  • Tell you what will happen next
  • Ask for the fee for permanent residence, if necessary 

If there is ANY CHANGE to your contact information or any of your application details, please inform IRCC using the web form. Failure to do so could lead to delays in processing. 

These changes to your information include:

  • Marriage, divorce or separation
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Death of an applicant or dependant
  • Contact information updates (such as email, phone number, mailing address)
  • Change of immigration representative
  • Withdrawal of application

Biometrics

If you are between the ages fourteen (14) and seventy-nine (79) years old, you may need to give your biometrics. If you receive a letter to submit your biometrics, please pay the biometric fee (if not done yet) and get your biometrics. You will have thirty (30) days to give your biometrics. 

For additional information please refer to the following:

Medical Exam

 

You and your family members must have a medical exam before settling in Canada. IRCC will tell you when to submit these documents. If your health is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety,

AND / OR

would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada, your application would not be accepted. 

For instructions on the medical exam, please await the email from IRCC.

Decision

IRCC will make a decision on your application based on 

  • Whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the program
  • Whether you are admissible to Canada based on your medical exam and background checks

Once a decision is made on your application, IRCC will notify you. 

Note: If your application is refused, IRCC will also send you a letter with an explanation. 

Additional Information and Resources

The following are additional information and resources regarding permanent residency. For more details regarding the information, please consult the IRCC website. 

  • Having a PR card is proof that you have PR status in Canada. You will be issued one after the PR application has been completed.

  • To keep your PR status, you must live in Canada for at least 730 days (or 2 years) during the last five (5) years. The 730 days does not need to be continuous and some time outside Canada could count towards the days.

  • There are several ways to lose your PR status such as becoming a Canadian, an officer determining you are no longer a PR, voluntarily renouncing PR status, a removal order made against you, etc. Expiration of your PR card does not mean you lose your PR status.

  • There are immigration and citizenship fraud and scams on the internet and in-person. It is important to be aware that these exist and to know how to protect yourself from scammers. IRCC has a webpage dedicated to information on this matter, which includes information on how to identify scams, protect yourself from scams, report fraud and scams, and more. Please refer to this page for detailed information.
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