Permanent Residency in Canada 2023: Immigration, Requirements, Funds, Benefits

Every year, the number of applications for Permanent Residence in Canada is increasing. Ranked at #10 in the Global Peace Index, Canada is considered as one of the safest places to work and reside permanently. With an average salary of 120,000 CAD (~72.3 lakhs INR) per annum, Canada provides decent employment opportunities to foreign workers with Canada Permanent Resident status. Check why Canada is still a top immigration destination.

According to Times of India, Canada has provided over 4.01 lakh new permanent residence in 2021. The country is aiming to achieve the target of 4.11 lakhs in 2022 and 4.21 lakhs in 2023. According to the ‘Express Entry Report, 2020’, Indian citizens secured 50,841 invitations for permanent residence in Canada. This number is 47% of the total invitations (1.07 lakhs) issued by IRCC.

Also check: Work permit in Canada

Requirements to Immigrate to Canada

Anybody can apply for immigration to Canada, however, only the individuals satisfying the eligibility criteria are accepted for permanent residency in Canada. The factors influencing acceptance of Canada PR application are as follows:

• Age proof (21 to 55 years)
• Educational qualifications
• Language proficiency test scores
• Proof of prior professional experience
• Job offers in Canada (if any).

Explore: Standardized exams to study in Canada

How to Find Out Your Eligibility?

Applicants need to check their Express Entry and CRS point scores to find out their eligibility for Canada PR. Besides, age, educational qualification, language proficiency and work experience in Canada play an important role in determining the eligibility for Canada PR. Applicants must have sufficient funds available in their personal bank account or job offer in Canada.

Canada Permanent Residence Requirements

Following is a document checklist to apply for the Canada Permanent Residence.

• Applicants should submit a completed and signed application for a permanent residence card.
• Submit a photocopy of a major identification document (preferably passport).
• 2 identical photos of the applicant, taken within 6 months before application are needed. The photos should be according to the specifications mentioned.
• A copy of the Canada PR payment receipt should be submitted.
• Proof of residence is required for applicants residing outside Canada for a prolonged period (1095 days).
• For applicants below 18 years of age, a copy of birth certificate or adoption order or legal guardianship paperwork, issued by a Canadian court.
• Copies of academic records like transcripts, report cards or attendance records are required.

Funds Required for Canada PR

If the Canada PR applicant is not already working in the country, they need to demonstrate proof of sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family in Canada. The documents required to prove availability of enough funds to sustain the cost of living in Canada are as follows:

• Official letter from any bank or financial institution where the funds are kept.
• Bank account statements.
• Documents of investment or real property like stocks, bonds, treasury bills and debentures.
• Documents of guarantee of payment of a stipulated amount of money payable to the applicant. For example, banker’s drafts, cheques, traveller’s cheques, or money orders.

The amount of money required also depends on the family size of the applicant. The following table shows the minimum amount of money required to immigrate to Canada according to family size.

Find out: Top reasons for Canada PR rejection

How to Immigrate to Canada?

International applicants can immigrate to Canada through more than 80 pathways. The Canadian government has categorized the immigration program into various categories based on the qualifications and eligibility. Some of the most common Canada immigration programs are:

• Express Entry Program
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Caregivers Program
• Family Sponsorship
• Agri-Food Pilot
• Start-up Visa
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Self Employed
• Quebec Selected Skilled Workers.

Express Entry Program

Express Entry is an online application system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. 3 immigration programs are managed through Express Entry, namely, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Eligibility: There are 2 ways to determine the eligibility of the candidate for the Express Entry Program. Firstly, the applicant must answer a few questions to check their eligibility. Secondly, by checking their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS is a point based system, often used to:

• Access and score the applicant’s profile and
• Rank the profile in the Express Entry Pool.

Provincial Nominee Program

The provincial nominee program is for workers with skills, education and prior work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific territory or province. The applicant must show their interest to live in that particular province, and show willingness to become a permanent resident of Canada.

How to apply?
One can apply through the paper-based process or by the online process through Express Entry. The process includes a medical exam and a police check certificate. Everyone needs to have these checks irrespective of their plan to live in Canada.

Caregivers Program

As a caregiver, one can visit Canada as a PR or temporary worker. Applicants need a valid temporary residence status while working in Canada. The applicants can apply to extend their work permit or change its status to a permanent resident permit before the expiry date of the previous status.

How to apply?
Aspirants can apply for a permanent resident permit while continuing to work on their temporary status. Delays in processing the permanent residence permit means that other applications related to it will also be delayed.

Family Sponsorship

If a permanent resident of Canada is 18 years of age or above, they can sponsor the cost of living in Canada for their relatives. A Canada PR can invite their relatives to study and work in Canada after becoming permanent residents. A Canadian citizen, and a person in Canada registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act can also sponsor their relatives. The Family Sponsorship services include:

• Sponsoring partner, spouse, dependent children or adopted child.
• Sponsoring parents and grandparents.
• Sponsoring relatives.
• Visiting children or grandchildren.
• Help for spouses or partners experiencing any abuse.
• Immigration options for sponsored spouses, or partners.

Read more about Canada Dependent Visa

Agri-Food Pilot

The Agri-Food Pilot is a pathway for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific occupations and industries. This program will run until May 2023.

How to apply?
To apply for PR under the Agri-Food Pilot, applicants need:

• Satisfactory Canadian work experience in one or multiple eligible occupations and industries.
• A non-seasonal, full-time job offer from a Canadian employer across an eligible field.
• Competitive language proficiency (CLB or NCLC level 4).
• Meet or exceed the educational requirements.
• Exhibit settlement funds (if required).
• Maintaining temporary resident status (If already residing in Canada).

Start-Up Visa

Immigrants can move in Canada with start up plans by creating and expanding business or supporting innovative entrepreneurial ventures. Through this program, immigrant entrepreneurs and business groups can get recognition in Canada. The application fees for start-up visa is from 2,075 CAD (~1.25 lakhs INR). The processing time including the time to give biometrics is around 12 to 16 months.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program allows skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian institutes to work in the 4 Atlantic provinces of Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador). Employers looking for workers in the positions that were not fulfilled locally avail this service. International graduates and skilled foreign workers satisfying the following conditions are eligible to apply for the program.

• If the applicant is a recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
• If the applicant is a skilled worker.
• The applicant might be living abroad or in Canada with a temporary resident status at the time of applying.

Self Employed

The Self Employed program allows a person to permanently immigrate to Canada as a self employed person. The applicants must have relevant experience in athletics or cultural activities. The applicant should demonstrate their willingness to make significant contributions in athletic and cultural activities in Canada.

The application fee for the Self Employed program is from 2,075 CAD (~1.25 lakhs INR). The processing time for application is around 41 months including the time required for biometrics.

Quebec Selected Skilled Workers

Applicants willing to stay in Quebec as a skilled worker and a permanent resident in Canada can apply for PR through the Quebec Selected Skilled Workers program. Quebec province has a special agreement with the Government of Canada and its own rules for choosing immigrants.

The application fee for this program is 1,325 CAD (~79,850 INR). Students might need to wait for 15 to 17 months until the application is processed. This includes the time required for biometrics.

The Permanent Resident Card

Permanent residents are citizens of other countries but are allowed to work and stay in Canada. The Permanent Resident Card (PR card) can be used in and outside of Canada along with their passport to show their Permanent Resident status.

• Individuals need a PR card while returning to Canada from any other country in a Commercial vehicle.
• If the person fails to demonstrate the PR while returning to Canada, they will have to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document before returning to Canada by a commercial vehicle.
• It requires an application fee of 50 CAD (~3,012 INR) and the processing time is variable.

Benefits of Canada PR

If you are in doubt whether to apply for Canada PR, following are some of the perks of the Canada Permanent Residence.

• Individuals get more social benefits than Canadian citizens. This includes coverage of health care.
• Recipients of Canada PR can live, study or work anywhere in Canada.
• Permanent Residents can also apply for citizenship in Canada.
• The applicants will also enjoy protection under the Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.

Check: Cost of living in Canada vs USA

Permanent residents are not allowed to perform the following activities.

• Residents cannot vote or run for political office.
• They are not allowed to hold jobs that need high level security clearance.

As a permanent resident in Canada, individuals need to pay taxes and respect all Canadian law and regulations at federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Time Lived in Canada

• In order to maintain the permanent resident status, the person must have been staying in Canada for at least 730 days during the last 5 years.
• The 730 days are not needed to be consecutive.
• To find out the time in Canada, the applicant can use a travel journal, or ask a Canadian Border Officer while entering Canada.

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Losing the Canada Permanent Resident Status

A permanent resident cannot lose their status when their PR card expires. One can lose the permanent resident status only after going through one of the following official processes.

1. By voluntarily renouncing permanent resident status.
2. If an adjudicator determines that the person is no longer a permanent resident after an inquiry or PRTD appeal.
3. If a removal order is made against the permanent resident and it comes into effect.
4. If the permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen.

In case the applicant does not meet the residency requirements, they are still considered a PR until an official decision is made on their status. Furthermore, Canada also offers non-immigrant work permits and Canada Student Visa programs. Aspirants can obtain permanent resident status after availing these permits as well.

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