Permanent residence is the legal status of a resident in a country or territory when they are not citizens but have the right to live there permanently.
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A person possessing such legal status is referred to as a permanent resident. This is often for an indefinite amount of time.
In this article, we look at how to apply for permanent residence in Canada from outside Canada.
Rights as a Permanent Resident in Canada
You can live and work in Canada as a PR and access healthcare, education, and other services. Voting is only available to citizens:
As a permanent resident, you can:
- Get most of the advantages that Canadian citizens enjoy, such as free healthcare and financial aid for college or university through OSAP.
- Attend any college, university, or high school.
- Live anywhere in Canada and work there.
- Apply for citizenship in Canada.
- Receive defense under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the law.
- You must abide by all Canadian federal, provincial, and local laws and pay taxes.
As a permanent resident, you cannot:
- Either cast a ballot or run for office.
- Hold a position requiring a high-level security clearance.
- Despite being ordered to leave the country after being found guilty of a major crime, stay in Canada.
You can live in Canada if you have permanent resident status, but there is a temporal limit on how long you can live abroad. You must stay in Canada for at least two years out of every five years in order to maintain your status as a permanent resident.
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You risk losing your status as a permanent resident if:
- If, for instance, you spend more than three years abroad during a five-year period, you do not meet the residency requirement.
- You’ve been found guilty of a major offense. You run the risk of losing your status as well as being expelled from Canada.
- When you become a Canadian citizen, you also renounce your status as a permanent resident.
This wallet-sized permanent resident card serves as the official document proving your status as a resident of Canada in case you and your family decide to travel.
If you leave Canada, you will be required to present your permanent residence card to border officials upon your return.
If you need to leave Canada but do not have your permanent residence card, you must apply for a travel document issued by a Canadian office abroad.
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How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada from Outside Canada
The applicant’s ability to enter Canada depends greatly on whether they meet the conditions. Also, it depends on the priorities and objectives you have established for yourself.
There are several quick and simple ways to obtain PR and immigrate to Canada. Learn how to apply for permanent residence in Canada from outside Canada in the section below.
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
For qualified foreign employees and international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a route to permanent residence.
This program is driven by employers and intended to assist them in finding appropriate applicants for positions they have been unable to fill locally in Atlantic Canada. To take part in the program, you must get a job offer from an Atlantic Canadian firm that has been designated.
To qualify for this program’s immigration to Atlantic Canada, you must be either a recent graduate of an Atlantic Canada-based post-secondary institution or a skilled worker Find more information here.
Business Investor Program
Successful businesspeople looking for new possibilities and challenges are welcome in Canada. The purpose of the business immigration program is to promote and ease the entrance of these people.
The Canadian federal, provincial, and territory governments all welcome business immigrants and provide assistance to assist them in establishing themselves in Canada. Find more information here.
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Express Entry
This type of immigration is carried out using a point-based evaluation system. This tool assists in calculating the candidate’s score based on important variables such as age, language proficiency, work experience, education, and others.
The IRCC (Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada) selects the qualifying score. Candidates who achieve the desired score are deemed qualified enough to immigrate and obtain a PR visa for Canada. Hence, they receive the ITA (Invitation to Apply).
The Express Entry program is frequently referred to as the simplest method of immigration to Canada. The Express Entry Draw score, which was recently revealed on February 15th, 2023, was 791. The applicant can quickly begin the Canada PR immigration process once they have their score. Find more information here.
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Provincial Nominee Program
For those who were unable to fulfill the standards for express entry, there is a provincial nominee scheme. It is easy to immigrate here with the Canada PNP.
Canada gives its provinces the authority to nominate and invite talented workers for immigration depending on the province’s labor market needs and in-demand occupations. There are primarily two methods for obtaining provincial nomination.
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Either the applicant can apply directly to the province for selection, or they can use the linked models for Canada Fast Entry. Each province has a unique eligibility model.
With the Fast Entry immigration paradigm, the candidate is eligible for 600 additional points of province nomination after being chosen. Find more information here.
Can I Apply for Permanent Residence While Outside Canada?
You need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to enter Canada if you are outside of Canada and don’t have a current PR card. A PRTD can only be requested from outside of Canada.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada?
Once IRCC receives a complete application package from applicants who have met their residency requirements, it typically takes 45 days to produce PR cards for new permanent residents. The average wait time for renewed PR Card applications is 104 days.
How Can I Immigrate to Canada Without a Job Offer?
Canadian Experience Class.
Provincial Nominee Programs.
Federal Skilled Worker.
Federal Skilled Trades.
The Family Class.
Entrepreneur Programs.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada?
Applying for a permanent residence (PR) card costs $50 per individual. Every time you renew or replace your PR card, you will be required to pay the charge.
How Much Money Do I Need to Immigrate to Canada?
Typically speaking, to come to Canada as an individual candidate, you would require about $15,500 CDN. Couples need about $21,000 CAD, while families with kids need between $25,000 and $30,000 CAD.
Do I Need a Job in Canada to Apply for PR?
No, you often don’t require a job offer. But, if you: qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and lack the resources to maintain yourself and your family in Canada, you will need one.
Can I Get PR in Canada Without IELTS?
The quick response is no. IELTS is not required to obtain Canadian PR. Those who want to have their English proficiency tested may choose to take the CELPIP exam.
How Can I Get Sponsored to Move to Canada?
Request a sponsorship form by going to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or office. Provide accurate information in the form and complete it completely. Pay all required application payments, including the processing fee, the fee for the privilege of permanent residency, and the money for the biometrics.
Which country Has Difficult PR?
Obtaining citizenship in Austria is a time-consuming and exhausting process due to its lengthy procedure. After a person has stayed there for more than a year. A person must remain in the nation continuously for 10 years to be granted permanent residency.
Can a 50-Year-Old Get PR in Canada?
You must be between the ages of 21 and 55. You should have a high school diploma from Canada or anything comparable to that. According to the Canadian Language Benchmark, you should be able to communicate in either English or French (CLB). The Express Entry system operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada must have your profile entered.
Can a Friend Sponsor Me in Canada?
Your friend or relative must apply to the Canadian visa office in charge of their nation or region if they want to go to Canada. A visa officer will examine the application and decisions regarding the issuance of a visa. By composing an invitation letter, you can support a friend or member of your family.
Can I Get PR in Canada Without Studying in Canada?
Typically, candidates must have completed a degree of postsecondary education in Canada. Province-specific requirements may differ; on occasion, a job offer, and work experience are needed.