This article will explain how to apply for permanent residence in Canada from outside the country.
Permanent residence is the legal status of a resident in a country or territory who is not a citizen but has the right to dwell permanently in that country or territory.
A person with such legal standing is known as a permanent resident. This is frequently for an indeterminate period.
Your Rights As A Permanent Resident In Canada
As a PR, you can live and work in Canada, and you have access to healthcare, education, and other services. Citizens are the only ones who can vote:
You can do the following as a permanent resident:
- Through OSAP, you can obtain the majority of the benefits that Canadian citizens enjoy, such as free healthcare and financial aid for college or university.
- Attend any college, university, or high school of your choice.
- Work and live anywhere in Canada.
- Apply for Canadian citizenship.
- Receive legal and constitutional protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- You must follow all federal, provincial, and local laws in Canada, as well as pay taxes.
As a permanent resident, you are not permitted to:
- Cast your vote or run for office.
- Hold a position that necessitates a high-level security clearance.
- Stay in Canada despite being ordered to leave after being convicted of a significant offence.
If you have permanent resident status, you can live in Canada, but there is a time limit on how long you can stay. To keep your status as a permanent resident, you must spend at least two years in Canada every five years.
You risk losing your permanent resident status if you:
- If you spend more than three years abroad in a five-year period, for example, you do not meet the residency requirement.
- You’ve been convicted of a serious crime. You risk losing your status as well as being deported from Canada.
- You renounce your status as a permanent resident when you become a Canadian citizen.
- If you and your family decide to travel, this wallet-sized permanent resident card acts as the official document certifying your status as a resident of Canada.
- You will be asked to show your permanent residence card to border officials upon your return if you leave Canada.
- You must apply for a travel document issued by a Canadian office abroad if you need to leave Canada, but do not have your permanent residency card.
How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada from Outside Canada
Whether the applicant meets the requirements will have a significant impact on their eligibility to enter Canada. Additionally, it depends on the priorities and goals you’ve set for yourself.
There are a number of quick and easy ways to get PR and move to Canada. The section below explains how to apply for permanent residence in Canada from outside the country.
1. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) offers a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who desire to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces.
Employers are the driving force behind this program, which is designed to help them identify qualified candidates for open positions in Atlantic Canada. You must receive a job offer from an approved Atlantic Canadian company in order to participate in the program.
You must either be a recent graduate of an Atlantic Canada-based post-secondary institution or a skilled worker in order to be eligible for this program’s immigration to Atlantic Canada.
2. Business Investor Program
Canada welcomes successful businesspeople looking for fresh opportunities and challenges. The corporate immigration program’s goal is to facilitate and encourage their entry.
The federal, provincial, and territorial governments of Canada all warmly welcome business immigrants and offer support as they set up shop there.
3. Express Entry
The evaluation process for this kind of immigration is point-based. The candidate’s score is calculated with the help of this instrument depending on crucial factors, including age, language ability, work experience, education, and others.
The qualifying score is chosen by IRCC (Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada). Candidates are judged qualified to immigrate and obtain a PR visa for Canada if they receive the required score. Consequently, they get the ITA (Invitation to Apply).
The quickest way to immigrate to Canada is commonly described as the Express Entry program. On February 15, 2023, the Express Entry Draw score—which was just recently made public—was 791. Once they obtain their result, the applicant can promptly start the Canada PR immigration process.
4. Provincial Nominee Program
There is a provincial nominee program available for those who weren’t able to meet the requirements for express entry. With the Canada PNP, immigrating to this country is simple.
Depending on the demands of the province’s labor market and in-demand professions, Canada grants its provinces the right to nominate and extend invitations to talented individuals for immigration. Primarily, there are two ways to get a provincial nomination.
The applicant has two options: they may utilize the connected models for Canada Fast Entry, or they can apply directly to the province for selection. There is a distinct eligibility model for each province.
After being selected, the individual is eligible for 600 further points of province nomination under the Fast Entry immigration paradigm.
FAQ About Permanent Residency Application
Can I Submit a Permanent Residency Application Outside of Canada?
If you are not a permanent resident of Canada and are not in possession of a valid PR card, you must enter the nation using a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Only those who live outside of Canada may apply for a PRTD.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Permanent Resident of Canada?
After receiving a complete application package from candidates who have met their residency requirements, the IRCC typically creates PR cards for new permanent residents in 45 days. Renewed PR Card applications normally take 104 days to process.
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 Will It Cost Me to Move to Canada Permanently?
A permanent residence (PR) card application is $50 per person. You will be required to pay the fee each time you renew or replace your PR card.
I want to immigrate to Canada. How much money do I need?
Generally speaking, you would need roughly $15,500 CDN to enter Canada as an individual candidate. Families with children require between $25,000 and $30,000 CAD, while couples require about $21,000 CAD.
Do I Need a Job in Canada Before Applying for PR?
No, you frequently do not need a job offer. However, you will require one if you: are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and lack the financial means to support yourself and your family in Canada.
Do I need IELTS to get Canada PR?
The immediate answer is “no.” Canadian PR can be obtained without taking the IELTS. It is possible to take the CELPIP exam if you want to have your English language ability assessed.
How Can I Move to Canada With Sponsorship?
Visit the website or local office of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to request a sponsorship form. Fill out the form properly and with accurate information. Pay the processing fee, the fee for the right to permanent residency, and the charge for the biometrics, as well as any other payments that are necessary for your application.
Which nation has challenging PR?
Austrian citizenship is obtained through a protracted process that takes a lot of time and energy. once they’ve been there for more than a year. Permanent residency can only be obtained after ten years of continuous residence in the country.
In Canada, is it Possible to Get PR at 50?
Between the ages of 21 and 55, you must be. You should possess a Canadian high school diploma or something equivalent. You should be able to converse in either English or French, according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). Your profile must be entered into the Express Entry system run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Can a Friend Sponsor Me in Canada?
If your friend or relative wants to visit Canada, they must submit an application to the Canadian visa office in charge of their country or region. The application will be examined by a visa officer, who will also make decisions about whether to grant a visa. You can assist a friend or member of your family by writing an invitation letter.
I didn’t study in Canada; can I still get a PR there?
Candidates typically need to have finished their tertiary studies in Canada. The prerequisites for each province may be different; on occasion, a job offer and work experience are required.