How to Get Permanent Residency in Canada
Eligibility for PR in Canada
How do you become a permanent resident of Canada?
To become a Permanent Resident of Canada, you must meet the eligibility requirements for the program you apply to. Each program has different requirements in terms of work experience, language skills, education, and more. You can use the Government of Canada's Come to Canada tool to see if you're eligible to apply for Canadian PR.
Permanent residency in Canada timeline
How long does it take to become a permanent resident in Canada?
According to the Government’s processing time calculator, applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, and the Canadian Experience Class should be processed in 6 months. However, the 6-month processing time is calculated after an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submits their application.
This processing time estimate does not include the two months you have beforehand to gather your documentation nor the months prior to that when you must take your language exams and have your foreign education evaluated.
We also find that the 6-month processing time often turns out to be more like 8 months. Furthermore, processing time can be longer based on factors unique to your situation. For example, if you have a lengthy work history, a complex background (you’ve lived in many different countries), or if you have multiple family members on your application, it may take longer to review your application.
With all of this being said, we find that it often takes 12 months from start to finish for an Express Entry applicant to land in Canada. In cases where the application is very simple, applicants may find their application is processed in 10 months.
Express Entry PR Timeline = Approximately 10-12 months
Family & Spousal Sponsorship PR Timeline = Approximately 13-14 months (in-land)
Provincial Nomine Program PR Timeline = Approximately 9-18 months
Permanent resident Canada processing time
You can use the Government of Canada’s Processing Time Calculator to check permanent resident processing time in Canada. The processing time calculator offers a rough estimate of the time it takes to review an application. Depending on the time of year and various factors, processing time may exceed the estimated time.
Permanent Resident Application
How can I get permanent residency in Canada from outside Canada?
There are many pathways to becoming a Permanent in Canada.
Study in Canada. You might come to Canada to study and then apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit and later the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) to become a Permanent Resident.
Family Sponsorship. If you have an eligible family member and you are eligible to be sponsored, your family become a Permanent Resident through the Family or Spousal Sponsorship program.
Express Entry. There are 3 programs managed by the Express Entry system: The Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Class. You may apply for one of these programs to come to Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program. You may apply to a Provincial Nominee Program and come to Canada through the Express Entry system.
Work in Canada. You may come to Canada to work on a Labour Market Impact Assessment supported Work Permit and then apply for PR through one of the Express Entry programs.
There are many different ways to come to Canada and obtain Permanent Residence and the option that is best for you will differ based on a number of factors such as your age, your work experience, your language skills, your educational background, and more.
For this reason, many applicants book an appointment to have their eligibility assessed and seek the recommendations of a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant.
How much does it cost to become a permanent resident of Canada?
The application fees differ depending on the program. Generally, there will be a number of fees to pay, which include:
The application processing fee
Biometrics fee
Medical examination fees
Police certification fee
Permanent resident card fee
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Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
