Canadian PR: Becoming a Permanent Resident in Canada
There are several routes to becoming a permanent resident in Canada. Total Law outlines the process, requirements and considerations for applying for permanent residence in Canada, including the available routes such as Express Entry, and provides guidance on managing your Permanent Residence (PR).
For assistance with your Canadian PR application, contact our expert immigration lawyers today at +1 844 290 6312.
Page Contents
- Becoming a permanent resident of Canada
- Express Entry
- How to Gain Points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry
- Checklist for Improving CRS Score
- Business Immigration
- Family sponsorship
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Switching from a Temporary Residence Permit
- Permanent residence for Caregivers
- Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds
- Renewal of the Canada PR Card
- Canada PR Card Application Status
- Portal for Permanent Residents
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- How can Total Law help?
- Frequently asked questions
Obtaining permanent resident status in Canada
Obtaining Canadian permanent residence (PR) status allows individuals to reside, work, and study in Canada indefinitely. Every year, thousands of foreign nationals are successfully granted a PR card by the Canadian Government, and the number of applicants accepted is growing each year.
Canada offers a wide variety of immigration routes that lead to permanent residency. The routes to becoming a permanent resident include:
- Express Entry
- Business Immigration
- Family Immigration
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Worker program
- Federal Skilled Trades program
- Permanent Residence for caregivers
- Permanent Residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
To be eligible for permanent residency, you will need to meet certain requirements depending on the route you choose. Temporary Residence Permit holders may also be eligible for permanent residence status if they fulfil specific residency requirements.
If you are granted permanent residency, you will be given a Canadian PR card that is usually valid for 5 years and can be renewed after this time.
Express Entry
Canada’s Express Entry system is one of the easiest ways to obtain Canadian permanent resident status. It is a points-based immigration program that enables skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Express Entry is a system designed to accelerate Canada’s economic immigration programs. You can apply under Express Entry for the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – for those who have experience in a managerial, professional or technical job.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – for those with at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade.
- Canadian Experience Class – for those who have at least 1 year of work experience in a skilled role in Canada.
To be eligible for Express Entry through the above programs, you will need to demonstrate a knowledge of the English or French language, prove that you have enough money to settle in Canada and be admissible to Canada.
Business Immigration
Canada’s Business Immigration Program offers permanent residency to successful and experienced business people and investors who are looking for new opportunities and challenges in Canada. There are two types of programs that make up the Business Immigration Program, they include:
The Start-up Visa Program is for overseas entrepreneurs who are able to start a business in Canada that is innovative, creates jobs for Canadian citizens and can compete on a global scale. To apply for the Start-up Visa you must have an eligible business, get a letter of support from a designated organization and meet English or French language requirements.
To be eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person you must have at least two years of relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and you will also need to be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life in Canada.
How to Gain Points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry
Once your eligibility is determined, you will then be ranked in the Express Entry Pool using a points-based system. You must gain points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (or CRS), which ranks applicants for Express Entry based on several factors. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is based on the following qualities:
- Skills
- Education
- Language ability
- Work experience
- Other factors
The total number of points that can be scored is 100, and the pass mark is 67. Candidates with the highest rankings in the Express Entry Program will be invited to apply for permanent residency
Once you are in the pool, your score is ranked against other candidates. You can only get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence if you get the highest scores in the pool. The ITA is the Canadian government’s official invitation for you to apply for permanent residency. You cannot complete the permanent residence process without an ITA, even if you’re in the Express Entry pool.
Getting an ITA doesn’t guarantee approval. It means you can submit your documents for a final review, which includes police clearances, medical exams, and proof of work or education.
Regular draws from the Express Entry pool give out ITAs. These draws usually happen every two weeks. The CRS cutoff score for each draw changes depending on the number of candidates in the pool and the immigration goals.
Checklist for Improving Your CRS Score
There are several steps applicants can take to increase their CRS score. You can earn more points by retaking language tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF to achieve better scores, obtaining additional degrees or certifications, gaining work experience in Canada, and securing a valid job offer.
Being nominated by a province through a Provincial Nominee Program is a significant advantage, and improving a spouse’s language skills or education can also enhance the combined score. More professional or trade certifications that are recognised in Canada may also be helpful, especially for jobs that require a high level of skill. Combining these strategies strengthens the profile and increases the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Here are some of the top actions you can take to improve your CRS score:
- Retake language tests and aim for higher CLB levels in English or French
- Add French as a second language
- Choose the principal applicant strategically if you have a partner
- Get ECAs (Educational Credential Assessment) for all post-secondary credentials
- Accrue full years of eligible skilled work; Canadian experience helps most
- Secure a valid job offer where points apply, often with an LMIA
- Watch provincial nomination streams that fit your occupation and language
- Match duties to the correct NOC (National Occupational Classification) and fix dates, titles, and proof of funds
- Include a Canadian study or a trade certificate if you have them
- Prepare documents early so you can submit quickly after an invitation
Permanent Residence Through Family
If you have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident then you may also be able to obtain permanent resident status through family sponsorship.
Canadian Citizens and permanent residents can sponsor the following types of family members to join them in Canada permanently:
- Spouses
- Conjugal or common-law partner partners
- Dependent children
- Parents
- Grandparents
Canadian citizens can also sponsor siblings, nieces, nephews and orphaned grandchildren if they are unmarried and under the age of 18.
To be eligible to obtain permanent residence through family sponsorship your Canadian citizen or resident family member must meet certain requirements. They must be over the age of 18, currently residing in Canada and need to be able to prove that they can financially support you whilst in Canada. They must also not be bankrupt, incarcerated or facing a removal order if they are a permanent resident.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program is a pathway to permanent residency for overseas nationals looking to live in a certain province or territory of Canada. The Provincial Nominee Program is also one of the economic immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system.
The Provincial Nominee Program varies depending on the province and territory, each province has its own “streams”, these are immigration programs that target certain groups such as students, business people or skilled workers. To be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program you will generally need to prove that you can contribute to the local economy and that you intend to settle in the province you are applying for. However, the requirements for the Provincial Nominee Programs vary as each province looks for applicants that meet the specific needs of their own labour market.
Provincial Nominee Programs are available in the following provinces and territories:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Permanent Residence for Caregivers
There are a number of programs that can act as a route to permanent residency for caregivers in Canada.
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot give caregivers the opportunity to become permanent residents after they have obtained a year of eligible work experience in Canada. To be eligible applicants must also meet certain language and educational requirements.
The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) is closed to new applicants so you can only immigrate to Canada using this route if you have two years of experience and you are already working in Canada with a Live-in Caregiver work permit or if you were approved for your first LCP work permit on or before November 30, 2014.
Permanent Residence on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
If you are not eligible to apply for permanent residence using any of the previously mentioned routes then you may be able to do so on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds.
Humanitarian and compassionate grounds usually only apply in exceptional circumstances, if you make a permanent residence application on this basis it will be assessed using the following factors:
- How settled you are in Canada
- Whether you have any family ties in Canada
- The best interests of any children involved
- The consequences if the request was not granted
Only those who are currently living in Canada can apply for permanent residency using humanitarian and compassionate grounds. You will not be eligible if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you have already submitted an H&C application, you have already made a refugee claim or if you became a designated foreign national within the last 5 years.
Switching from a Temporary Residence Permit to Canada PR
Holders of a Temporary Residence Permit in Canada can also be eligible to become permanent residents. To be eligible for PR as a Temporary Residence Permit holder you must:
- Not be inadmissible on any grounds other than those for which the original TRP was issued
- Hold a valid Temporary Residence Permit
- Have resided continuously in Canada under a permit for between three to five years, depending on the permit you hold.
If you are applying for PR as a Temporary Residence Permit holder you cannot include accompanying family members in your application. If you had any family members who accompanied you when you originally entered Canada they would have obtained their own Temporary Residence Permit. So to be considered for permanent residence they will need to submit their own application.
Renewal of the Canada PR Card
Permanent residents must have a valid PR card to travel freely. To renew, applicants must have lived in Canada for at least 730 days in the last five years. These days do not have to be consecutive.
To renew, you need to fill out the IMM 5444 form and send in some documents that prove your residency, such as your current PR card, a valid passport, and photos that meet IRCC standards. You also have to pay the fee to renew.
Processing typically takes 90 to 120 days; however, applicants can request urgent processing if they require the card immediately for work or travel purposes and provide proof of their urgent need. Keeping your PR card up to date ensures you can travel without any problems and meet your residency requirements.
Canada PR Card Application Status
Checking the status of a PR card application helps people plan their trips and set realistic expectations. Individuals who have applied can access the IRCC online portal or the PR application tracker using their own application number.
The application typically undergoes several steps. First, the system gets it and logs it in. After that, IRCC checks the documents, makes sure the person is living in Canada, and verifies their identity.
The PR card is made and sent to the applicant’s Canadian address once it has been approved. Some common problems include lost applications, incomplete documents, or delays in processing. To avoid problems, applicants should keep their mailing address up to date and respond quickly to any requests from the IRCC.
Portal for Permanent Residents
The Permanent Resident Portal in Canada lets people with PR status manage their applications and status online. You can get in with a GCKey or Sign-In Partner account.
Users can apply for a PR card renewal, change their contact information, check the status of their application, and get other immigration services from IRCC through the portal. Using the portal makes it easier to keep track of permanent resident duties and ensures that applicants receive important updates promptly.
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
The COPR, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, is a crucial document for new permanent residents. It confirms that you have been approved for PR status and includes essential information like your name, date of birth, immigration category, and validity period.
New PRs show the COPR at Canadian ports of entry. Immigration officers check your identity, confirm your status as a permanent resident, and give you information about your first duties. After you enter Canada, the PR card will be sent to the Canadian address you provided. It is essential to keep your address up to date so that your package arrives on time, even though processing times may vary.
Canada’s permanent residency system provides skilled workers, families, and other qualified applicants with a clear pathway to become permanent residents. Knowing how to use Express Entry, how to increase your CRS score, how to renew your PR card, how to track your application, the Permanent Resident Portal, and COPR will help applicants navigate the process efficiently and stay compliant with Canadian immigration rules.
How can Total Law help?
We can help you if you wish to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident. Navigating the process of becoming a Canadian permanent resident can be overwhelming, there are many options to choose from and it’s important to choose the right one to give you the best chance of securing permanent residence status.
Our immigration lawyers offer reliable and professional immigration advice. We can assess whether you are eligible to become a permanent resident of Canada and can advise you about the best immigration options available to you.
Once you have chosen which permanent resident route you would like to apply for, we can assist you with your application. Our lawyers can help you to fill in all of the necessary paperwork and will also make sure that you have all of the documents and supporting evidence that you will need for a successful application.
We can also liaise with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on your behalf if any complications arise during the application process.
If you want to live in Canada temporarily, our lawyers also provide assistance with a range of temporary visas for Canada. For more information about how we can help you with the Canadian immigration process, get in touch today on +1 844 290 6312.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
A PR card is a Permanent Residency card given to Canadian permanent residents. When travelling it is important that you hold a valid PR card as you will need it to prove your permanent resident status when you enter Canada again.
Most PR cards are valid for 5 years, the validity of your card will be printed on the front. When your PR card expires you must renew it before you travel out of Canada. If you are currently outside of Canada and your card is not valid then you will need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to enter Canada.
No, your Canadian permanent resident status does not expire even if your permanent resident card is no longer valid. Permanent resident status can only be lost through an official process, this may happen if you don’t meet the Canadian PR residency obligation. You can also voluntarily renounce your permanent residence status.
There are several immigration routes that lead to becoming a permanent resident in Canada, they include:
- Express Entry
- Business Immigration
- Family Immigration
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Permanent Residence for caregivers
- Permanent Residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
You can get PR in Canada if you meet the requirements for any of the above routes or if you have lived in Canada on a temporary visa for either 3 or 5 years.
The application fee for permanent residence varies depending on the route that you use to apply. For most approved applications you must pay a right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), this is $CAN 575. As well as this there are also processing fees that vary by route.
If applying for the Business Immigration Program the processing fee is $CAN 1,810. if applying for Express Entry, including the Provincial Nominee Programs, the processing fee will be $CAN 950. There is a range of other fees for other types of PR applications. There will also be additional fees for any family members you intend to bring to Canada.
