Canada PR Visa: A Complete Guide to Permanent Residency

Canada PR is a permanent residence status granted to non-Canadian citizens who wish to immigrate to Canada. A Canada permanent resident visa allows its visa holders the right to study, work, and reside in the country for a period of five years. The PR acts as a citizenship pathway for candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria.

 

What is a Canadian Permanent Residency (PR)?

Canadian permanent residency is a legal status allowing a citizen who is not a Canadian Resident the right to live and work in Canada. A Canada PR visa is issued for five years, after which the visa needs to be renewed. Upon the approval of the Canada Visa, the individual is issued a Permanent Resident card, also known as the Canada PR card. As per the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024-26, the country aims to invite around 485,000 new permanent residents. Some of the major pathways through which one can apply for Canada PR are as follows:

• Express Entry
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Business Immigration
• Family Class Immigration

 

Benefits of Canadian PR Status

Canada is known to be one of the top immigrant-friendly countries, offering plenty of opportunities for its citizens. The fine quality of life, the satisfactory job market with plenty of employment opportunities, and a diverse and multicultural environment add to the many attributes of immigrating to Canada. As a Canadian Permanent resident, one can study, live and work anywhere across the land of Maple Leaf.

Some of the benefits of the Canadian PR status are as follows:

• Live and work anywhere in Canada: Known as the second-best country in the world for immigrants to live and work, Canada maintains a high standard of living with a growing employee-friendly job market.
   
• Be a part of a well-integrated community: Promoting a culturally diverse environment, the country is well-known for its acceptance of different cultures, heritages, and religions, making it a multicultural country.
   
• Avail the university healthcare system in Canada: The country has an all-inclusive and thorough healthcare system with plenty of affordable benefits for PR holders. One can avail of free medical care offered by the Canadian government and apply for public-funded medical insurance.
   
• Sponsor your family for Permanent residence: As a Canadian PR, one can sponsor their family to accompany. Spouses, children, dependents, common-law partners etc. can be sponsored. The Express Entry system allows family members to be included in the application without requiring a sponsorship, creating a family-friendly environment for immigrants.
   
• Right to FREE education: Canadian permanent residents can avail free education in public schools up to the age of 18. Those admitted in universities are granted lowered tuition fees when compared to the standard rates for international students.
   
• Socials security benefits: PR holders can gain access to social security and other welfare benefits including tax advantages. PR holders over the age of 12 years can apply for a 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) that allows them to utilize the services offered by the Canadian government.
   
• Become a citizen of Canada upon eligibility: To become eligible for Canadian citizenship, a PR holder is required to reside in the country for a minimum of three out of five years. However, only the five years prior to the date of filing your citizenship application will be considered.

 

Differences between Canadian PR and Citizenship

While Canadian Permanent residency is a temporary immigration pathway, Canadian Citizenship allows citizens to reside in the country permanently.

 

The key differences between Canadian PR vs. Citizenship are listed in the table below:

Feature	Canada PR	Canada Citizenship
Status	Permanent resident status	Complete citizenship status
Passport	Requires passport from the country of your origin	Can become eligible for a Canadian passport
Residency Obligation	Must live in Canada for at least 3 out of 5 years	No residency restrictions
Right to Vote	Cannot participate in voting in federal, provincial, or municipal elections	Can freely vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections
Political Office	Cannot hold any political offices	Can hold political offices
Job Restrictions	Jobs with high-level of security clearance are restricted	Can take up all jobs, including the ones with security clearance
Jury Duty	Do not qualify to serve on a jury	Can qualify to serve on a jury
Deportation	Can be deported for serious criminal or violating the PR obligations	Cannot be deported except for in cases of citizenship fraud
Travel Rights	Can travel freely but may require visas for other countries	Can travel freely with a Canadian passport to many countries without the need of a visa
Family Sponsorship	Can sponsor relatives to become PRs, provided the eligibility requirements are met	It is similar to PR, with the right to pass citizenship to children born outside Canada
International Mobility	Travel rights can be restricted depending on the passport of the country of origin.	Less restrictions to travel internationally
Access to Social Benefits	Can avail most of the social benefits, including healthcare	Can avail all the social benefits, including healthcare
Eligibility for Citizenship	Must meet specific eligibility and residency requirements to apply for citizenship	Already a citizen, need not fulfill any specific eligibility criteria
Renewal of Status	PR card must be renewed every 5 years	Citizenship is indefinite with no need for renewal

 

Eligibility for Permanent Residency in Canada

One must fulfill the eligibility criteria given below for Canada Permanent Residency:

Factors	Requirements
Age	Individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 get the maximum points
Education	Education qualifications must be equivalent to the higher secondary education level in Canada
Work experience	A minimum of one year of experience is required
Language ability	A minimum score of 6 bands in IELTS is required
Adaptability	10 additional points are given for a spouse or common-law partner who is applying for Canada PR
Arranged employment	10 extra points are given if the candidate acquires a Canadian job offer

 

Requirements for a Canada PR Visa

Candidates are required to score a minimum of 67 points through the six factors listed below to qualify for a Canada PR.

• Age

• Education
• Work experience
• Language ability
• Adaptability
• Arranged employment

The checklist of requirements given below must be met to apply for a Canada PR:

• Age: Candidates aged between 18-35 years can score maximum points while those over the age of 35 are given comparatively lesser points. The maximum age considered for the PR is 45 years.
   
• Education: Candidates must have educational qualifications that are equivalent to the Canadian level of higher secondary education.
   
• Work experience: A minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience is required. Candidates with more years of work experience can score higher points.
   
• Language ability: A minimum of 6 bands in IELTS is required. Candidates with French proficiency can score additional points.
   
• Adaptability: 10 additional points are given if the common-law partner or spouse migrates with the candidate to Canada.
   
• Arranged employment: 10 points are rewarded if the candidate has a valid employment offer from an employer in Canada.

 

Canada PR Application Process

You can apply for Canada Permanent residence by following the five simple steps given below:

Step 1: Check your eligibility for PR

Step 2: Arrange the checklist of requirements

Step 3: Apply for the Canada PR

Step 4: Await the visa application status

Step 5: Migrate to Canada

 

How to Obtain a Canada PR Card?

IRCC issues a Canada PR card that proves your identity as a Canadian permanent resident. The PR card is issued to individuals granted PR status in Canada and can be used as a travel document. Introduced in 2002, the PR Card was brought in as an ID card to facilitate easy verification of a permanent resident. PR card holders can freely travel in and out of the country with a validity of up to five years and in some cases, only for up to 12 months.

Candidates who fall under any of the three criteria given below are required to apply for a Canada PR card:

• You are a permanent resident of Canada (with a child)
• You have plans to travel outside Canada
• You plan on returning back to Canada via transportation modes like bus, boat, plane or train.

The steps to apply for a Canada PR Card are as follows:

Step 1: Arrange the documents

One has to arrange the following checklist of documents to apply for a Canada PR Card:

• Fully signed and completed IMM 5444 Form
• Fully signed and completed IMM 5644 Form
• Copy of the identity proof
• Photocopies
• Copy of fee payment
• Proof of residency in the last 5 years

If you are under the age of 18, you must submit:

• Proof of birth certificate, guardianship or adoption documents issued by the Canadian government or court.

• Proof of educational transcripts

 

Step 2: Fill the application form

You can fill in the application via both online and offline modes:

Fill the application online:

One has to fill out a digital (IMM 5444) PRTD (Permanent Resident Travel Document) Form and upload the PDF documents in the official portal.

Note: It is important to type the name mentioned in the passport to digitally sign the application form.

Fill the application offline:

One has to fill out the PDF documents and attach it with the application via mail.

The forms that are required to apply are as follows:

• IMM 5644
• IMM 5475 or IMM 5476
• IRM 0002 (If applicable)
• IRM 0004 (If applicable)
• IRM 0005 (If applicable)

Note: It is important to submit correct and accurate information in the application to avoid legal consequences.

Step 3: Complete the fee payment

One has to complete the required processing fee payment while applying. The total breakdown of the fee structure is given in the table below:

Application Fee	$CAN
Permanent Resident card	$50
Biometrics fees
Biometrics (per person)	85
Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people)	170

Steps for PR Card fee payment

To pay the fees, you will need:

• A valid e-mail ID
• Printer access to print the receipt
• Debit MasterCard, Credit Card or Visa Debit Card

Step 4: Submit the application form

You can submit your application via two modes:

Online: You can submit your application along with the set of documents via the official PR Portal.

Offline: You can post your application in a stamped envelope or via courier services.

 

Step 5: Wait for the status

You must then wait for the status of your application which will be reviewed and finalized by the IRCC.

If the application is correct and approved:

• An AoR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) will be sent via e-mail
• You will receive the PR card via mail or receive details related to when and where to pick up the card.

 

Note: PR Card cannot be delivered overseas allowing a PR holder to return back to Canada. A PR holder without a status proof outside Canada must apply for the PRTD.

If the application is incomplete:

Incomplete applications will be returned back to the applicant.

If the application is refused:

Applications that are refused will be returned with a refusal letter stating the reasons.

If the application is withdrawn:

Applications that are withdrawn will be sent a letter stating the reasons.

 

Required Documents for Canada PR Application

The documents required to submit a Canada PR application are as follows:

• A valid passport
• Language proficiency test scores
• Educational transcripts
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Medical certificate
• Police criminal clearance certificate

 

Canada PR Application Fees

Canada PR cost includes medical examination fees, English language test, application fees for dependents and spouses, PCC fees, ECA fees and more. The Canada PR fee generally ranges from 2,500 CAD to 3,000 CAD and may vary depending on the number of applicants.

• Single applicant - 2,340 CAD
• Couple with no kids - 4,680 CAD
• Couple with one kid - 5,285 CAD

The total cost of the Canada PR application is given in the table below:

Program	Applicants	New fees (April 2024 – March 2026)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$575
Protected persons	Principal applicant	$635
Protected persons	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$635
Protected persons	Accompanying dependent child	$175
Permit holders	Principal applicant	$375
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Principal applicant	$635
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$635
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Accompanying dependent child	$175
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Principal applicant	$635
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$635
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Accompanying dependent child	$175
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Principal applicant	$950
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$950
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Accompanying dependent child	$260
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsorship fee	$85
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsored principal applicant	$545
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsored child (principal applicant under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner)	$85
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$635
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Accompanying dependent child	$175
Business (federal and Quebec)	Principal applicant	$1,810
Business (federal and Quebec)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$950
Business (federal and Quebec)	Accompanying dependent child	$260

 

Canada PR Processing Time

The processing time for the Canada PR visa takes around 6-8 months and may vary depending on the type of immigration program.

The table below has phase-wise processing times for Canada PR:

Phase-wise process timelines
Phase	Process	Description	Designated Authority	TAT (Turn Around Time)
Phase 1	Step 1	An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to verify your foreign education is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada. It is valid for 5 years.	WES	6-8 Weeks
			IQAS	20 Weeks
			ICAS	20 Weeks
			ICES	8 – 10 Weeks
			CES	12 Weeks
			MCC (Doctors)	15 Weeks
			PEBC (Pharmacists)	15 Weeks
	Step 2	English or French Language Test	IELTS /CELPIP /TEF	Within 4 weeks
Phase 2	Step 1	EOI – Expression Of Interest	IRCC	Your Profile will be valid for 12 months.
	Step 2	PNP – Provincial Nomination Program	Provincial Authorities	Varies based on Provinces
Phase 3	Step 1	Invitation To Apply – ITA	Main Applicant + Spouse + Children	60 Days
	Step 2	Passport Submission and PR Visa	Main Applicant + Spouse + Children	Up to 30 days

 

Factors Affecting Canada PR Application Processing

The application processing time for a Canada PR Visa can be affected by various factors such as:

• Type of Immigration program: The processing time for Canada PR may vary depending on the type of immigration program as each program has a different processing timeline.Some of the most common immigration pathways include Family sponsorship programs, Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry program.
• Accuracy of the application: A complete and up to date application with all the required documents can speed up the application process. Applications that are incomplete or have false information are often delayed.
• Changes in the immigration policies: Any new changes in the immigration policies announced by IRCC can affect the processing time. It is advised to stay informed about the policy changes and immigration updates.
• Number of applications: A high volume of applications can result in extended processing times. 
   

How to renew my Canada PR Card? 
 

The Canada PR card is valid for five years, after which it must be renewed to stay in Canada. PR holders who plan to travel outside Canada must check the validity of their PR at the time of arrival in the country. If the card expires or is invalid, carrying IMM 5644 (Travel document) is recommended. The travel document can be applied from outside the country. The card can be renewed after it expires or nine months prior to the expiry date. Applications that are complete with correct information will be granted a new PR card.

To become eligible for a Canada PR Card, one must:

• Submit the application in Canada
• Be a PR holder

You can follow the simple steps given below to renew the Canada PR card:

Step 1: Check if you are eligible

Step 2: Arrange the requirements as per the “Document Checklist” provided on the official portal.

Step 3: Pay the application fee

Step 4: Submit the application

Step 5: Wait for the renewal status

 

Actions to Avoid PR Card Expiration

A candidate's PR status is not directly linked to the expiry of the PR card. One can lose one's PR status only if one voluntarily renounces it or if they are considered inadmissible due to a criminal offense.

Some of the measures you can take before the PR card expires is as follows:

• Keeping a track of your PR card status
• Applying for the renewal of the PR card 9 months before the expiry date
• Ensure you meet the residency requirement by staying in the country for at least 730 days out of 5 years
• Ensure you are in Canada at the time of expiry
• Have all the required documents for the PR card renewal

 

Maintaining Canadian PR Status

One must fulfill the PR status requirements and meet certain criteria to be able to maintain their PR status.

Strategies for Maintaining PR Status in Canada

Some of the strategies that one can follow to maintain their PR status in Canada are as follows:

• Ensure you renew your Canada PR every five years.
• Fulfil the residency requirement by physically residing in the country for 730 days.
• Submit sufficient proof to show that you fulfill the PR requirements
• Must not violate the immigration policies

Requirements to Avoid PR Status Revocation

Some of the ways to avoid PR status revocation is as follows:

• Remain in the country for at least 730 days.

• Ensure you are not inadmissible to the country by avoiding getting involved in criminal activities amongst other factors
• Respect and maintain the Canadian laws
• Promptly renew the Canada PR card

 

How can Y-Axis assist you?

Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada, offers customized and tailored immigration services for every client based on their requirements. Some of our services include:

• Free eligibility check through Canada Immigration Points Calculator
• Expert guidance/counseling for Canada Immigration
• Coaching services: Expert CELPIP coaching, IELTS proficiency Coaching
• Free career consultation; book your slot today!
• Complete guidance for Canada PR visa
• Job search services to find related jobs in Canada