Permanent Residency

Permanent residence is an immigration status in Canada that allows foreign nationals to live in the country indefinitely. This status grants them the right to work, study, and access social services. Although permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights as Canadian citizens, they cannot vote in political elections or obtain a Canadian passport. Instead, they are issued a permanent residence card, which they must use alongside their existing passport for travel to and from Canada.

To maintain permanent resident status, individuals must comply with specific conditions. They need to reside in Canada for at least two out of every five years and must avoid convictions for serious crimes or misrepresentation. Failure to meet these conditions can result in the loss of their permanent resident status. After living in Canada for four out of six years, permanent residents can apply for Canadian citizenship, a change from the previous requirement of three out of four years, which ended in June 2015. Permanent residence can be obtained through various immigration programs, such as the Skilled Worker category, family sponsorship, business immigration, provincial nominee programs, and humanitarian pathways like the refugee program.