Decoding Permanent Resident Status: Your Guide to Canadian Immigration Success
- Sosaan Immigration
Categories: Canadian Immigration Citizenship Permanent Resident PR Card
Understanding your Permanent Resident Status: A permanent resident (PR) is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. PRs are usually citizens of other countries, while some may be stateless persons. When refugees resettle in Canada from overseas, they become PRs thorugh the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. If you make a refugee claim in Canada, you do not become a PR immediately. To become one, the Immigration and Refugee Board must first prove your claim. Then, you must apply for and obtain PR status. You are not a PR if you are only in Canada for a short time, for e.g., as a student or foreign worker.
The Permanent Resident (PR) Card: Your PR card proves you have PR status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada and return on a commercial vehicle (like an airplane, boat train or bus), you must show your PR card and your passport or refugee travel document. If you are traveling outside Canada without a valid PR card with you, apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before returning to Canada on a commercial vehicle. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your commercial vehicle. If your PR card expires, it does not mean you have lost permanent resident status. You can apply for a PRTD. A PRTD is normally only valid for one single entry. As soon as you return to Canada, you should apply for a new PR card.
What Permanent Residents (PRs) can do: As a PR, you get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including a social insurance number to work in Canada, and health care coverage based on the province you reside. You can live, work, or study anywhere in Canada and can apply for Canadian citizenship. You get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
What Permanent Residents (PRs) cannot do: You are not allowed to vote or run for political office or hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.
Time lived in Canada: To keep your PR status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days do not need to be continuous. Some of your time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need.
Losing your Permanent Resident (PR) status: You can lose your PR status if an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal, you voluntarily renounce your PR status, a removal order made against you came into force or you became a Canadian citizen. Even if you do not meet the residency obligation, you will stay a PR until an official decision is made on your status.
Voluntarily giving up (renouncing) permanent resident status: In some cases you may decide you don't want to be a PR of Canada anymore., e.g, if you are not meeting your residency obligations by being outside of Canada for a long period of time or you plan to visit Canada and want to avoid the processing delays from a formal assessment of your PR status when you arrive. In these cases, you may not be able to enter Canada until your PR status is resolved either by applying for a PRTD or by voluntarily giving up your PR status.
