Canada is usually suggested as one of the best countries in the world to reside in. It is highly recognized for its high standard of living, impeccable surroundings, minimal rate of crime, and outstanding infrastructure. Permanent residency in Canada is a condition of giving foreigners in Canada the right to live freely and work in Canada for as long as they want.
A Canadian Permanent Resident is a person who is not a native citizen but was permitted to live in Canada legally. He is granted permanent residency by the Canadian government. A citizen with Canada PR has equal rights to every Canadian citizen. An international student or a foreign worker living in Canada is not a permanent resident. Foreign workers do not have the privileges and rights that a permanent resident enjoys.
Canada Immigration Programs
If you desire to move to Canada and acquire a permanent resident visa, there are numerous immigration plans with their own specific criteria and requirements for immigration – Express Entry Program, Quebec Skilled worker Program (QSWP), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), etc. For getting a resident card, your selection depends on the quality of your profile i.e. age, language eloquence, education, work experience, and various other factors.
There are also various Canadian immigration programs through which applicants can apply and get permanent residency. To achieve a resident status, an immigrant will have to file an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). When your five years of stay in Canada is over, the permanent resident card allows the immigrant to apply for Canadian Citizenship.
Make sure to have all the necessary documents required by the Canadian government before applying for permanent residency.
Below are different Canada immigration PR programs or Visa Categories
Various immigration programs or visa categories are available, under which the Canada permanent residency visa could be applied.
- Skilled Immigrants Program (Express Entry)
- Federal Skilled Worker ( FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program ( FST)
- Canadian Experience Class ( CEC)
- Start-up visa (for candidates who need funds for their business ideas.)
- Investors Entrepreneurs and Self Employed
- Quebec Skilled Workers Program ( QSWP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
What are the documents required to apply for different PR visas in Canada?
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- test for language skills.
- ECA (Education Credential Assessment)-for candidates who applied through the Federal Skilled Workers Program.
- Sufficient funds to support your application. (Proof of funds)
- High school certificate, sponsor certificate, educational degrees or certificates, and diploma degrees.
- Original and official copies of translated documents supporting your application.
- Age proof- such as birth certificate
- Documents signifying a Job offer, reference letter, payslips
- Medical and Police Clearance Certificate
- Travel document- your passport
Three major ways of getting permanent residency in Canada include:
- The Express Entry System
- The Provincial Nominee Program
- Family Sponsorship
1. The Express Entry System
The Express Entry System began in 2015 to accelerate and make easy the Canadian immigration procedures for proficient immigrants who desire to reside and work in Canada. The amazing fact about the Express Entry system is that a job offer is not required before you can apply, and also the processing duration has been reduced to approximately 6 – 8 months, which makes it one of the easiest and fastest ways to migrate to Canada. Applicants can apply under one of 3 Federal Immigration Programs:
2. The Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program is targeted at drawing experienced workers to move to the province in order to balance the Canadian labor market. Some provinces and territories have particular occupations that have a deficiency in labor which means that your occupation title should be listed on a particular province’s In-demand Occupation list
3. Family Sponsorship Visa
The Family Sponsorship Visa permits permanent Canadian residents and citizens above 18 years of age to sponsor a relative or ward, spouse, or common-law partner, to live and work in Canada. There are 4 streams under this visa that you could check out for if you are interested in this means, they are:
- Spousal and Family Sponsorship Visa
- Spousal and Common-law Sponsorship Program
- Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program
- Super Visa
Processing times for Canada Permanent Residency Visa:
The duration to which a Canada Permanent Resident Visa is granted differs. It depends on the type of immigration program you apply for, that is Express Entry System, QSWP, or any Provincial Nominee Program. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score guarantees the approval of your Visa application.
The moment you get an invitation to apply for permanent residence, further processing takes about 4-6 months. In lieu of the Canada Immigration points system, points are awarded based on your profile details. Your points depend on factors such as age, education, work experience, Canadian work experience, and language proficiency. It is important to note that the higher your points, the more likely your chances for various immigration programs. If your profile satisfies all the requirements of a particular immigration program, you become qualified to get an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence and eventually, become a resident of Canada.
To become a permanent resident a foreign candidate must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, under one of several programs. In addition to the conferred right of abode in Canada, an added advantage of permanent residency is the qualification to apply for Canadian citizenship after a specific period of permanent residency.
Conclusion
The procedure for the permanent residence application process can be very tedious, time-consuming, and difficult. Many temporary immigrants, overtime change their status to permanent residency, therefore it is advisable that if you are deliberating on applying for permanent residency in Canada, you should also consider getting professional immigration aid throughout the process. You wouldn’t want to be disappointed after a long while of waiting.