Canada PR vs. Canada Citizenship What's the difference?

Highlights: What is the difference between Canada PR and Canada Citizenship

• The processing time for a Canada PR visa is approximately 6 to 18 months.
• Express Entry Program is the fastest pathway to get Canada PR within 6 months.
• Factors such as type of application, the immigration stream selected, and others affect the processing time of Canada PR visa.
• Canada PR applications under PNP streams are usually processed within 6 to 12 months.

Want to apply for Canada PR? Y-Axis is here to provide complete assistance!        

 

Why choose to settle in Canada? 

Canada is a preferred destination for people looking to migrate abroad.  The country's robust economy, free education and healthcare, numerous employment opportunities, and low crime rates are the major reasons immigrants opt for Canada. Additionally, Canada is planning to welcome 1.1 million foreign nationals in 2027.  

Foreign nationals in Canada can access many of the privileges as the ones claimed by Canadian citizens. Canada PR holders enjoy certain rights, but Canadian citizens can exercise their vote and get a Canadian passport.

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027

The Canada Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-27 has set new records. In 2027, Canada aims to welcome over 1.1 million newcomers.  
     

The immigration levels plan of Canada for 2025 to 2027 is given below:

Immigration Class	2025	2026	2027
Economic	2,32,150	2,29,750	2,25,350
Family	94,500	88,000	81,000
Refugee	58,350	55,350	54,350
Humanitarian	10,000	6,900	4,300
Total	3,95,000	3,80,000	3,65,000

With these promising numbers for welcoming immigrants, applicants have a good chance of obtaining Canada PR. After fulfilling the required conditions, candidates can also apply for Canadian citizenship.

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When and How to Apply for Canada PR?

Canada PR vs. Canada Citizenship

In Canada, permanent residents (PR) have most of the privileges of citizens, such as the right to live, study, work, and invest in the country. However, there are few distinctions between Canadian PR holders and Canadian citizens.

A Permanent Resident is a foreign national who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada. They are not considered citizens of Canada. Citizens have more responsibilities and rights, such as participating in the election process or holding a Canadian passport. Learning about the differences would help you make informed decisions about your long-term stay in Canada.

The critical differences between holders of Canada PR and Canadian Citizens are given in the table below:

Canada PR vs. Canadian Citizen

Features	Canadian PR	Canadian Citizen
Voting Rights	No	Yes
Right to be elected	No	Yes
Working Rights	Yes (Except certain jobs requiring security clearance)	Yes
Passport of Canada	No	Yes
Living indefinitely in the country	Yes (The applicant should have a valid PR card)	Yes
Travelling freely	Only the countries accessible through Canada PR card and native country	Yes, to all countries accessible through Canadian passport
Guarantee for Entering Canada	No, in certain cases of inadmissibility	Yes
Passing status to children born outside Canada	No	Yes (Given that either of the parents or both are born in Canada)
Having bank accounts and investing	Yes	Yes

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Advantages of Canadian Permanent Residency

These are the rights enjoyed by individuals who have been issued Canada PR.

• Better living standards: Canada is a safe country with modern infrastructure and amenities. The Canadian government protects the rights of permanent residents.
•  Free universal healthcare: Medical care is free for all Canadian PR holders. They can also apply for public health insurance and obtain prescribed medicines.
• Social Security benefits: Canada PR offers Confirmation of Permanent Residency or COPR, and permanent residents receive an SIN number. This SIN or Social Insurance Number is used to apply for benefits or pay taxes.
• Free education: All holders of Canadian PR can avail of free education for their children until they reach 18.
• Freedom to work anywhere in Canada: Canada has more than 1 million jobs, and the country welcomes foreign nationals to work and contribute to the economy. International professionals can apply for Canada PR.
• Sponsorship for the family: Canada PR holders can sponsor their spouse/joint law partner and children to join them in the country. They can also be added to the PR application under certain conditions.
• Freedom to move or live anywhere in Canada: Canadian permanent residents are granted mobility rights. They can live and settle in any province of the country and travel in and out of Canada several times.

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How to Renew my Canada PR Card?

Pathways for Canada PR

Multiple options are available for Canadian permanent residents to gain Canadian citizenship. The most popular pathway is the Canada Express Entry system, which allows foreign working professionals to migrate, work, and apply for permanent residency in Canada.

These are the three immigration programs via which foreign nationals can apply for Express Entry in Canada:

• Canadian Experience Class
•  Federal Skilled Trades Program
•  Federal Skilled Workers Program

Immigrants can also apply for Canadian permanent residency through the multiple PNP or Provincial Nominee Programs. The difference between the applicants through Express Entry and PNP is that those who apply under Express Entry can live anywhere in Canada. In contrast, the applicants under the PNP stream must be willing to stay in the province from which they were nominated. Candidates can also apply for the PNP-aligned Express Entry stream to get an additional 600 points upon receiving a provincial nomination. 

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

Canada's citizenship offers more privileges than Canada's PR. Some of the benefits of Canadian citizenship are listed below:

• Certainty of Status: Foreign nationals granted Canadian citizenship can live anywhere in the country and travel several times. The citizenship cannot expire or be revoked.
• Participation in Canadian Politics: Canadian citizens have the right to participate in the elections. They can vote and stand in the elections.
• Tax Benefits: Canadian citizens can avail of tax exemptions, child tax benefits, and other tax benefits.

Want to apply for Canadian Citizenship? Y-Axis is here to guide you with the steps!
 

How can Canada PR holders apply for Canadian citizenship?

Foreign nationals looking to convert their Canadian PR to citizenship should fulfill the eligibility criteria given below:

• Be a lawful permanent resident.
• Lived in Canada for at least 3 years from the 5 years of Canada PR validity.
• Due taxes should have been filed.
• Passed the citizenship test.
• Take the oath for citizenship.
• Qualified the language standards.

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Canada is one of the best countries to settle in, with a multicultural society, booming economy, lucrative job opportunities, and several other benefits. According to a Job Seeker Study, Canada is the number one choice for job seekers worldwide. Recently, the US News Rankings 2024 has ranked as the fourth best country to migrate to, making Canada one of the top choices for permanent settlement abroad.

 

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