4 Big Benefits Of Having Permanent Resident Status In Canada & How You Can Get It

​Who are permanent residents and what benefits do they get?

According to the government of Canada, someone who has permanent residence status is a person who has immigrated to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen.

"A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident," they note on their website.

Having permanent residence status means you'll get to enjoy these benefits in Canada:

• Be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship
• Allowed to work, live, or study anywhere across Canada
• Be protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian law
• Access to many benefits that Canadian citizens usually get, like health care coverage

How do you become a permanent resident of Canada?

There are many programs that help people immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Here are some of the more popular ones:

• Express Entry (after receiving an invitation to apply through the IRCC)
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Quebec-selected skilled workers
• Caregivers
• The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
• Agri-Food Pilot
• Permanent residence program for Hong Kong residents

Once you become a permanent resident, the government will send you a permanent residence card, which is the official proof of your status in Canada.

This will allow you to re-enter Canada through various means, if you plan on travelling outside the country.

What are the requirements for PR in Canada?

Determining eligibility to apply for a Canadian PR involves various factors such as age, education, work history, language ability (English and French), family members and a potential job offer from a Canadian employer.

Canada's immigration department encourages using the Come to Canada tool by following the prescribed steps that will help you understand your own eligibility.

"This tool will help you understand the requirements to immigrate to, visit, study in or work in Canada. However, to actually come to Canada, you must still submit the right application forms," according to the CIC website.

How much money you'll need for Canada PR?

Applying and getting a Canadian permanent resident card will require different fees and costs through the process. Some of the more commonly paid ones are listed below:

EXPRESS ENTRY

• Application Processing fee: $850
• Right of permanent residence fee: $515
• Application (without right of permanent residence fee): $850
• Include your spouse or partner -- processing fee: $850
• Right of permanent residence fee: $515
• Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee): $850
• Include a dependent child: $230 per child
• PR card: $50

Does permanent residency need to be renewed?

"A permanent resident card (PR card) is usually issued for five years, but can sometimes be issued for one year instead. It is valid until the expiry date listed on the card," notes the government of Canada.

Fees for the renewal of a Canadian permanent resident card can be paid online, and the application will need to be mailed in.