How to become a permanent resident

Interested in becoming a permanent resident in Canada? Here’s what you need to know about the process.

Did you know that permanent residency in Canada is one of the most sought-after visa categories by skilled professionals in many parts of the world? Essentially, permanent resident status provides skilled foreign workers with a unique opportunity to work and settle in Canada. After three years of staying in Canada and working on the Permanent Residency (PR) card, you may be eligible to apply to change your Canadian PR status to Canadian citizenship.

This process can be a complex one, and you may wish to consult with a properly qualified immigration professional who can help you navigate some of the considerations outlined below.

The application process

What do you need to do in order to apply for a Canadian PR card?

1. Eligibility requirements

It’s important to note that there are multiple immigration programs Opens in a new window. available depending on your skills, destination, circumstances and more. Consider if any of the following options might apply to you:

• Express Entry: Immigrate as a skilled worker.
• Family sponsorship: Sponsor your relatives.
• Provincial Nominee Program: Get nominated by a province or territory.
• Quebec-selected skilled workers: Become a skilled worker in Quebec.
• Atlantic Immigration Program: Graduate from a school or work in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia or Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Caregivers: Provide care to children, the elderly or those with medical needs.
• Start-up Visa Program: Start a business that will create jobs.
• Self-employed Canadians: Work for yourself in cultural or athletic activities.
• Agri-Food Pilot: Work in a specific agri-food industry.
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: Move to a smaller Canadian community.
• Refugee status: Come to Canada as a refugee or sponsor.
• Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: Apply if you’re an eligible Hong Kong resident currently living in Canada.

Note that the programs listed above are subject to highly specific eligibility criteria, which are revised by the Government of Canada from time to time.

The Government of Canada offers a Come To Canada Opens in a new window. tool that asks questions with the intent of helping you find the best program for your situation. Review the requirements for each method to determine whether you're eligible to apply. If you’re already a permanent resident and need a PR Card, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Be physically present in Canada
• Meet the residency requirement
• Not be a Canadian citizen
• Not be convicted of an offense that is at all connected to the misuse of a PR card
• Not be under an effective removal order

2. Gather all documents

What documents are considered necessary? Make sure you gather all your documents according to the Canadian government's requirements. You can view all the documents needed for your application in this checklist Opens in a new window. .

3. Fill out the necessary forms

This is a lengthy process. Remember to fill out all sections and answer all questions. If a section or question doesn’t directly apply to you, then write “Not applicable.” If your application is found to be incomplete, you may face processing delays while you wait for approval.

You can find the forms you'll need to fill out on the Government of Canada website Opens in a new window. .

4. Pay the required fees

You’ll need to calculate the total amount of fees Opens in a new window. to be paid, usually online. If you don’t pay your fees in full, your application will be returned to you.

5. Submit your application

Ensure you mail your application to the right address. Include all the necessary documents with your application, including the Document Checklist (IMM 5644) Opens in a new window. .