Canada Permanent Residence
A Canadian permanent resident is someone who has been granted permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada. A permanent resident enjoys many of the same benefits as Canadian citizens. However, unlike citizens, they must maintain their status by meeting certain requirements like the residency obligation. Here are six of the major benefits you will experience once you become a Canadian permanent resident:
- The ability to live and work anywhere in Canada: Canadian permanent residents have the legal right to live and work anywhere in the country. If a new PR starts in Montreal but finds a better job in Toronto, they will have every right to move. Permanent residents are not tied to a specific employer or province. Additionally, Canadian permanent residents can leave and enter Canada’s borders using their Canadian permanent resident card or permanent resident travel documents (PRTD).
- Access to universal healthcare and social services: Canadian healthcare is universal, which means access to free medical care. Once an individual becomes a permanent resident, they can access Canada’s healthcare and social services.
- Family sponsorship: Permanent residents can apply to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children to join them in Canada. That said, if you immigrate through Express Entry, you can include your family on your initial application, so you won’t have to sponsor them later.
- Free education for children: Children of Canadian permanent residents can study for free up until secondary school. After graduating, post-secondary school is also much cheaper for permanent residents than for international students.
- Can transition to Canadian citizenship: Becoming a permanent resident is the first step to becoming a Canadian citizen. After residing in Canada for three out of five years, PRs are eligible to become citizens. Once a PR has transitioned to Canadian citizenship, they can vote, apply for a Canadian passport, and no longer need to renew their status in the country.
- Protected rights: The rights of Canadian permanent residents are protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.