Residency Criteria for Canada Permanent Residents (PR)

A person who is legally able to reside in Canada but is not a citizen of the country is known as a Canadian Permanent Resident. The Canadian government has granted them the status of permanent residence. Everyone who holds permanent residency in Canada is entitled to enjoy the same rights. In Canada, a foreign worker or student is not considered a permanent resident. The perks and rights that permanent residents are entitled to do not apply to foreign workers.

There are numerous immigration streams available in Canada that allow people to apply and get permanent residency. An immigrant must submit an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to get resident status (IRCC). The permanent resident card enables the immigrant to apply for Canadian citizenship after five years of residence in Canada.

You are allowed to leave Canada after you become a permanent resident. However, in order to keep your status as a permanent resident, you must fulfil certain residency requirements.

You would have to be physically available in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within each 5-year term in order to fulfil these residency requirements. The five years are evaluated on a rolling basis. In order to determine your eligibility, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review your five-year residence in Canada.

This means that over the course of a 5-year period, you are permitted to spend a maximum of 3 years abroad. However, if you have only been a permanent resident for less than five years and choose to travel abroad for a considerable amount of time, you must demonstrate to the IRCC that you will be able to fulfil your residency obligations.

If you spend a lot of time outside of Canada, you can accrue residency days if you're:

1. Accompanied by a child under the age of 19 or a spouse or common-law partner who is Canadian

2. If you are a full-time employee of a Canadian company or of the Canadian Public Service and you are given a job outside of Canada

3. The spouse, common-law partner, or child of a permanent resident working full-time for a Canadian company or the Public Service of Canada who resides outside of Canada.

 

An immigration officer may impose a departure order requiring you to leave Canada if you are already in Canada and the officer finds that you have not complied with your residency requirements.

Immigration authorities overseas may notify you in writing that your status as a permanent resident has been lost if you are outside of Canada and fail to comply with residency requirements.

You have 60 days from the decision date to file an appeal if you are denied permanent residence status. Before deciding on your permanent resident status, the officer may take humanitarian and compassionate considerations into account if you file an appeal.

It is crucial to inform Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you will be returning if you anticipate being away from home for a lengthy period of time. The Department of Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugees no longer issues Returning Resident Permits.

Please be aware that time spent outside of Canada is not eligible to count toward the residency requirements for Canadian citizenship if you intend to apply for citizenship. Currently, in order to be eligible to apply for citizenship, you must have lived in Canada as a legal resident for at least 3 of the previous 5 years (1,095 days).

 

Whenever You Need to Leave Canada

Wait till you obtain your permanent resident card before proceeding. In the event that you are unable to accomplish this, you must first apply for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad) before entering Canada again. This application is for Canadian citizens who are permanent residents outside of the country and who require documentation to enter Canada again.

 

Benefits of Canada Permanent Residence (PR)

In the country, permanent residents are entitled to a number of perks. Following is a list of a few of these:

1. You are granted a work permit and a permit to study with a resident visa. You can thus work anywhere in Canada if you have a work permit.

2. You can apply for citizenship in Canada (once you become eligible)

3. You can get services for social and family security

4. You are secured by Canadian law.

5. You can obtain health care and the majority of the other advantages that Canadian citizens enjoy.

6. Free education for kids and family-friendly social services

7. You get easy accessibility to the United States

Thus, having permanent residency in Canada certainly has its benefits. However, there are certain downsides to moving to Canada.

 

The right that a permanent resident does not have are listed below:

1. They are prohibited from the possibility of running for political office or the right to vote

2. Any position requiring a high-level security clearance is off limits to them.

 

If obtaining permanent residence in Canada is your goal, start the application procedure right away to fulfil your aspiration!

To apply for your Canada Permanent Residency, Click here.