The steps to Canadian permanent residence

What does permanent residence mean?

A permanent resident is not a Canadian citizen but has the right to live, work and study in Canada and to use most public services, such as provincial health coverage. After meeting the residence requirements, a permanent resident can apply for citizenship.

Step one: choosing a route

The main routes to permanent residence are:

• Express Entry, for skilled applicants
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
• Family sponsorship, for a spouse, children and some relatives
• Other programs, such as special economic and humanitarian streams

Each route has its own requirements. Choosing the right one is the most important decision at this stage.

The steps in short

• Check eligibility: make sure you meet the requirements of the chosen program.
• Prepare documents: identity, education, work, language and financial documents, depending on the program.
• Submit the application: usually online through your IRCC account.
• Biometrics: fingerprints and photo, when IRCC asks.
• Medical exam and police certificates: as instructed by IRCC.
• Review and decision: IRCC may ask for more documents.
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): issued if approved.
• Landing or changing status in Canada, then receiving the PR card.

Common documents

• A valid passport
• Education documents and, where needed, an educational credential assessment (ECA)
• Work history and employer letters
• Language test results
• Police certificates
• Financial documents, for programs that need them

The exact list depends on the program and your situation.

Key points

• Everything on the forms must match your documents.
• Watch the expiry dates of documents such as language tests and police certificates.
• Answer IRCC letters and requests within the deadline.
• Review the whole file once before you submit it, or use a pre-submission review.