Permanent Residency
A Canadian permanent resident is someone who has been granted permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada. A permanent resident is not a Canadian citizen; rather, all permanent residents are citizens of other countries. In order to maintain permanent resident status, permanent residents must meet certain requirements like the residency obligation.
As a permanent resident, a person receives a significant number of benefits:
- Access to Canadian healthcare and social services.
- The right to live, work, and study anywhere within Canada.
- Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- The ability to leave and enter Canada's borders using their Canadian permanent resident card, or permanent resident travel documents (PRTD).
- The ability to apply for Canadian citizenship after requirements are met.
There are many immigration pathways which will enable a person to become a Canadian permanent resident. Economic immigration, business immigration, sponsorship, and refugee/humanitarian programs offer different options for becoming a permanent resident in Canada.