Immigration to Canada - Permanent Residency

If you immigrate to Canada, it means that you become a permanent resident, or gain permanent residency status.

Permanent residency is permission for someone to live and work in Canada with no time restrictions. Permanent residents must, however, live in Canada for 2 out of every 5 years or risk losing their permanent residency status.

When reviewing your options for immigration to Canada, it is important to distinguish between the federal programs and the provincial nomination programs.

Permanent Residency via the Canadian Federal Programs

Federal immigration programs allow permanent residency to be applied for by making applications directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. They allow the immigrant to obtain permanent residency and settle anywhere within Canada except for Quebec, which has its own immigration regulations.

Federal permanent residency options include:

Permanent Residency via Provincial Nomination Programs

Obtaining permanent residency via provincial nomination programs can expedite the process of immigration to Canada. Immigrants looking to settle in a specific province should have their eligibility accessed and make an application for a provincial nomination certificate.

Upon the successfully issuance of a provincial nomination certificate, an application is then made to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

While the province nominates the potential immigrant, various checks, including medical, background and security, remain in the domain of Citizenship and Canada. Once these are completed permanent residency may be granted.

Details on all the provincial nomination schemes can be found below (excluding Quebec)

What are Canadian Permanent Residents entitled to?

Permanent residents enjoy many of the benefits that a Canadian citizen does including:

Protection under the Canadian law and Canadian Charter for rights and freedom.
Access to most Canadian social supports including medical.
To live work and study in Canada
To be apply to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Restrictions on Canadian Permanent Residents

There are certain restrictions for permanent residents which include:

If convicted of a serious criminal offence, they may be asked to leave Canada.
They cannot hold a political office.
They cannot vote.
They cannot hold certain jobs that require high level security clearance.