You can live in Canada on a temporary residence basis as an international student, temporary worker, or a visitor.
Permanent residence means that you have been granted the status of a permanent resident as an immigrant.
A permanent resident is not a citizen of the country. However, as a permanent resident, you will have access to certain benefits such as:
- Access to public health care services
- Protection under the Canadian law
- The ability to leave and enter Canada without any prior authorization
There are several immigration pathways for foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada for permanent residency or ‘PR’ for short.
What are Different Immigration Pathways for Permanent Residence (PR)?
The following immigration programs enable a foreign national to live, study, and work in Canada permanently: *Click to the program that interests you
Canadian Spousal Sponsorship
Canadian Family Sponsorship
Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
Canadian Business and Investor Immigration
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Quebec Immigration
Permanent Residence for Athletes, Coaches and Related Occupations
Permanent Residence for the Film Industry
Permanent Residence for Caregivers
Humanitarian Compassionate Grounds
Permanent Resident Card
Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Spousal Sponsorship
Spousal Sponsorship allows you to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner or conjugal partner to Canada under different sponsorship programs.
If your partner is already living in Canada, then you can apply through inland spousal sponsorship. If your partner is living overseas, then you can apply through overseas spousal sponsorship (also referred to as outland spousal sponsorship).
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Canadian Family Sponsorship
Under Family Class Sponsorship, you can sponsor your spouse, dependent children or parents and grandparents for permanent residency. There are different categories: Spousal Sponsorship, Dependent Child Sponsorship, Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship.
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Express Entry
The federal Express Entry system was launched in 2015 to manage applications under the 3 federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
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Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada with accompanying family members. The FSWP is for experienced individuals who can meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
Applicants must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience and meet the other age, education and language level requirements.
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Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada.
You are required to have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience to be eligible. You will be eligible for permanent residency through the Express Entry system as a skilled tradesperson.
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Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class program is for temporary foreign workers with Canadian work experience. The CEC allows you to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system.
You must have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in the last 5 years or be employed for 1 year in your skilled trade. You can also have the appropriate certification from a Canadian authority in your skilled trade.
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Canadian Business and Investor Immigration
Canadian Business Immigration offers several immigration programs for international entrepreneurs, investors, start-up companies and self-employed individuals who want to immigrate to Canada. These immigration programs allow applicants to gain permanent residency in Canada.
Applicants must meet the determining eligibility requirements for their specific stream to qualify. Generally, business immigration programs have requirements for personal net worth, business investment, business ownership and experience, language proficiency, etc.
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Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial Nominee Programs are unique to every province and territory in Canada. PNPs give each provincial and territorial government the choice to nominate foreign skilled workers with various skills and experience that are relevant contributors for the betterment of their current labor market needs and economies.
Applicants must be currently residing in Canada and have a valid job offer from a designated employer that is operating within the particular province or territory that they want to immigrate to. However, there are many streams within PNPs that don’t have this job offer requirement.
Out of the 10 provinces and 3 territories, only Nunavut, which is Canada’s newest territory currently does not have a PNP. Quebec offers its own immigration programs.
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Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Different PNPs offer several Express Entry aligned immigration streams known as “Enhanced” PNP streams or Express Entry linked PNPs. These streams help the province to nominate candidates from the federal Express Entry pool with the skills and experience that are relevant to their current labor market needs.
Applicants must be eligible for 1 of the 3 federal economic immigration programs. You do not necessarily require a valid job offer for all Express Entry aligned PNP streams.
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Quebec Immigration
Quebec has the autonomy to select immigration applicants to protect their distinct identity. Quebec Immigration programs have a 2 step process. While French proficiency adds value to your application, it is not mandatory.
Quebec selects the applicants based on their skills, experience and human capital value. If you want to immigrate to Quebec, then you can apply for 1 of the several immigration streams offered under the Quebec Immigration.
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World-class athletes, coaches, and athletic event organizers are allowed to immigrate to Canada as self-employed individuals under the Federal Self-Employed Program. This program encourages the immigration of candidates who can contribute to Canada’s sports culture.
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As an individual working in the film industry, you can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry and Global Talent Stream LMIA. Canada encourages professional and talented workers to immigrate to Canada by providing LMIA exempt work permits and Express Entry options.
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As a professional caregiver, you can apply for permanent residency under the Home Child Care program and the Home Support Worker Program.
These new caregiver pilot programs are employer-specific. Caregivers are now allowed to change employers when necessary and add accompanying spouses, dependent children or parents and grandparents to their application.
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Humanitarian Compassionate Grounds (H&C)
Canada could grant you permanent residency based on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds if you have minor children who will be in danger or dependants with a severe medical condition that can not be treated if they had to return to your home country.
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Permanent Resident Card
A permanent resident card (also referred to as a PR card) is proof of status for permanent residents who are traveling outside Canada. It is valid for 5 years. You will require a PR card if you are returning to Canada.
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Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship is the last and ultimate step in Canadian Immigration. Permanent residents can qualify to apply for Canadian Citizenship if they meet certain specified requirements.
Permanent residents must be physically present in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) in the last 5 years.
Applicants will be required to pass a citizenship test and attend an interview with the government body of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if requested. If your application is successful, you will be required to take the Oath of Citizenship at a Citizenship Ceremony.
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