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.
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:
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:
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 |
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 |
Candidates are required to score a minimum of 67 points through the six factors listed below to qualify for a Canada PR.
The checklist of requirements given below must be met to apply for a Canada PR:
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
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:
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:
If you are under the age of 18, you must submit:
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:
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:
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:
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.
The documents required to submit a Canada PR application are as follows:
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.
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 |
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:
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:
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
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:
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:
Requirements to Avoid PR Status Revocation
Some of the ways to avoid PR status revocation is as follows:
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