Canada PR (Permanent Residency): Complete Guide to Settle in Canada

Canada continues to be one of the top choices for immigrants around the world, thanks to its strong economy, world-class education system, excellent healthcare and high quality of life. The core of Canada’s immigration system is the Canada PR (Permanent Residency), which grants selected applicants the legal right to live, work and settle in Canada on a permanent basis.

With a clear and structured immigration policy, Canada welcomes more than 400,000+ new permanent residents every year, making it one of the most immigrant-friendly countries globally.

What is Canada PR?

A Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) is a foreign national who has been granted the right to live in Canada for an unlimited period of time, but has not yet obtained Canadian citizenship.

A PR card is official proof of your permanent resident status and is usually issued for a validity of five years.

Permanent residents enjoy almost all the rights of Canadian citizens, except for the right to vote and hold certain government or high-security jobs.

Key Advantages of Canada PR

Obtaining Canada PR comes with a wide range of benefits:

• Live and work anywhere in Canada – No restrictions on provinces, cities or employers.
• Access to public healthcare and social benefits – Enjoy Canada’s high-quality, publicly funded healthcare system and other social services.
• World-class education – Free or subsidised education up to secondary level and comparatively lower university tuition fees for PR holders.
• Pathway to Canadian citizenship – After meeting the residency requirements, PR holders can apply for citizenship.
• Legal protection – Enjoy equal rights and protection under Canadian law, similar to citizens.
• Family sponsorship – Sponsor eligible family members, such as spouse, children and parents, to join you in Canada.

Popular Pathways to Apply for Canada PR

There are multiple Canada PR visa programs through which skilled workers, entrepreneurs, students and families can apply for permanent residence. The most popular pathways include:

1. Express Entry Program

The Express Entry system is the fastest and most widely used route to apply for Canadian PR. It manages applications for three economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF) and adaptability. The highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence during regular Express Entry draws.

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Every Canadian province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) runs its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to attract skilled workers whose skills are in demand in that region.

You can either:

• Apply directly to a province’s PNP, or
• Link your Express Entry profile to a provincial nomination stream.

A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, which almost guarantees an ITA for Canada PR in the next draw.

3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed for skilled workers and international graduates who want to live and work permanently in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

4. Family Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members through Family Sponsorship programs. This remains one of the most trusted and compassionate pathways to Canada PR for close relatives.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada PR

While each immigration program has its own specific requirements, some of the most important eligibility factors for Canada permanent residency include:

• Age – Applicants between 18–35 years generally receive the highest CRS points. Points reduce gradually after 35, and 45 is usually the upper age limit for most economic programs.
• Education – Foreign degrees/diplomas must be assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from bodies like WES.
• Work Experience – Minimum of one year of continuous, full-time skilled work experience (as per NOC TEER categories).
• Language Proficiency – Valid test scores in English (IELTS/CELPIP) and/or French (TEF/TCF).
• Proof of Funds – Sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family after landing in Canada (unless exempt).

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Canada PR

1. Check your eligibility for programs like Express Entry, PNP, AIP, etc.
2. Appear for a language test (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF) and obtain valid scores.
3. Get your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done through WES or other authorised bodies.
4. Create your Express Entry profile and enter the candidate pool.
5. Improve your CRS score (if needed) through PNP nomination, higher language scores, etc.
6. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if your CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off.
7. Submit your complete PR application with all supporting documents within 60 days.
8. Undergo medical examination and police clearance checks.
9. Receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon approval.
10. Travel to Canada and complete the formalities to receive your PR card.

Canada PR Processing Time and Fees

Processing times may vary by program and individual profile, but on average:

• Express Entry PR processing time: Around 6–8 months after receiving an ITA (approximate).

Government application fees (approximate):

• Application Processing Fee – CAD 850 per adult
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) – CAD 515 per adult
• Total per adult: CAD 1,365 (Application fee + RPRF)
• Dependent Child Fee – CAD 260 per child
• Biometrics Fee – CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 per family

Canada PR vs Work Permit

Many applicants get confused between a Canada Work Permit and Canada PR. Here’s the basic difference:

• Work Permit – A temporary status that is generally tied to a specific job, employer, or location. It allows you to stay and work in Canada only for a limited time.
• Permanent Residency (PR) – A long-term status that allows you to live in Canada indefinitely, work for any employer, study, start a business, and eventually apply for citizenship.

Why Choose VisaForNation for Your Canada PR Process?

Applying for Canada PR can be complex, time-consuming and often confusing if done alone. With VisaForNation, your journey becomes structured, transparent and stress-free.

• Personalised profile assessment and guidance on the best PR pathway.
• Accurate documentation support to reduce chances of refusal.
• Step-by-step assistance from eligibility check to final approval.
• Dedicated support for Express Entry, PNP, AIP and Family Sponsorship cases.

If you are serious about settling in Canada and securing your family’s future, our experienced team at VisaForNation is here to guide you at every step of the Canada PR process.