The permanent resident (PR) card
Permanent residents of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, on any other commercial carrier. If you don’t have one with you at the time of check-in for your trip abroad it’s possible that security will refuse your entry into Canada.
A permanent resident is someone who was given citizenship by immigrating to Canada but isn’t a citizen. Permanent residents are the citizens of other countries. A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker is not considered to be a permanent resident.
What PR card holders can do
As a permanent resident, you have the right to:
- get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage,
- live, work or study anywhere in Canada,
- apply for citizenship in Canada,
- protection under Canadian law.
What permanent residents cannot do
You are not allowed to:
- vote or run for political office,
- hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.
Time Lived in Canada while on PR card
To maintain your permanent resident status, you need to have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. This rule does not require a continuous time period but a cumulative period.
Renouncing permanent resident status
Losing your status as a permanent resident of Canada is not something that just happens automatically. There may be times when you no longer want to maintain this legal standing.
For example, if you:
- didn’t meet residency obligations by being outside of Canada for a long period of time, and
- would like to visit Canada, and
- do not want to wait for a visa officer to do a formal assessment of your status
Losing your permanent resident status
You can’t lose your permanent resident status when it expires. You can only lose your permanent resident status If you go through an official process or if you violate the residency obligation.
How do I renew my permanent resident card?
If your PR card has been expired or is about to expire in less than 9 months, you can apply for a new one. To be eligible for a new PR card, you need to have permanent residence and apply in Canada.
Who can apply for Canadian citizenship
To become a Canadian citizen, applicants must be permanent residents of Canada with at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days) spent in Canada. Applicants must also file their taxes, pass a test proving language skills for English or French and pass a citizenship test. In addition, former temporary residents may count every two days while being on work or study permit as one day towards the three years requirement but no more than 365 days in total.
How long does it take to get citizenship in Canada?
The amount of time it takes to become a citizen of Canada after taking the test is variable, but in most cases, you will receive a notification shortly after the test. If Immigration Canada needs further questioning through your application it can take longer than 12 months.
How can we help?
We are a team of professional and experienced immigration consultants who will help you with your PR card renewal or citizenship application. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for our clients, so they can focus on their business while we handle all the paperwork. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
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