Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident
Becoming a permanent resident of Canada opens up a world of opportunities for individuals and families seeking to make this diverse and vibrant country their home. Permanent residency refers to a status granted to foreign nationals that allows them to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis. It is a stepping stone towards Canadian citizenship, providing individuals with various rights and privileges, including access to important social benefits like healthcare and education. The process of obtaining permanent resident status involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and going through a thorough immigration process. Once granted, permanent residents have the freedom to travel in and out of Canada, enjoy the same rights and protections as Canadian citizens, and contribute to the country’s economy and society in meaningful ways.
Benefits
– One of the key advantages is the right to live and work in Canada without any time limits. This means that permanent residents can stay in the country indefinitely and enjoy all the opportunities that Canada has to offer.
– Access to social benefits and services, such as healthcare and education. Canada’s universal healthcare system ensures that permanent residents have access to quality medical care.
– Travel using a permanent resident card and passport. This allows permanent residents to easily enter and exit the country without visas or permits.
– A pathway to Canadian citizenship. After living in Canada as a permanent resident for a certain period of time, individuals may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, granting them the right to vote, run for public office, and enjoy other privileges associated with citizenship.
What’s on this Page
Eligibility for Canadian Permanent Residency
There are a number of different programs and pathways to Permanent Residency as below, with different eligibility for each.
Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is a pathway for skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada. It is divided into three subcategories. All Express Entry categories much meet language proficiency, (Such as CELPIP)
- Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP). For individuals with skilled work experience. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, and having a valid job offer or provincial nomination.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). For individuals with experience in specific skilled trades. Applicants must meet specific requirements, and either a valid job offer or a Canadian trade certificate.
- 3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This category targets individuals with skilled work experience in Canada. To be eligible, applicants must have at least one year of Canadian work experience and meet other requirements.
Basic steps for the Express Entry process:
- Profile Submission Interested candidates create an Express Entry profile online with information about their skills, work experience, language proficiency, education, and other relevant information.
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Ranking. Based on the information provided in the profile, candidates are assigned a CRS score. Factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency are considered in the ranking process.
- Invitations to Apply (ITA) Draw. The Canadian government holds regular draws from the Express Entry pool and invites candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residency. Successful candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Skilled Worker Program
The Skilled Worker Program provides opportunities for skilled workers from around the world to immigrate.
Eligibility Criteria
- Skilled workers must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for this program, including language proficiency, education level, work experience, and age requirements.
- Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the Canadian economy and settle successfully in the country.
Application Process:
- Skilled workers can apply through the Express Entry application management system or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), depending on their specific circumstances.
- Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for economic immigration programs in Canada, including the Skilled Worker Program.
- The PNP allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers who meet their specific labor market needs.
Economic Class Immigration Programs:
- The Skilled Worker Program falls under the economic class immigration programs category in Canada.
- Other programs that fall under this category include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals and their families for permanent resident status based on their skills, education, and work experience. Each province and territory have specific criteria for nominee eligibility.
The PNP is a great option for skilled professionals and workers who wish to stay in Canada permanently. With its diverse streams and criteria, individuals with different skills, qualifications, and work experiences can find a pathway that suits their specific circumstances.
Family Sponsorship Program
– The Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their their spouses or common-law partners, parents and grandparents, and dependent children to enter and live in Canada.
– Under the Family Sponsorship Program, sponsors take on the financial responsibility of their sponsored persons, committing to provide financial support and meet their basic needs for a specified period of time. This includes housing, food, and other essential needs.
– Sponsors must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being at least 18 years old, residing in Canada, and being able to prove that they can financially support their sponsored family members.
Business Investor and Entrepreneur Programs
Business Investor and Entrepreneur Programs provide opportunities for individuals to establish or invest in businesses in Canada.
Business Investor Program:
- Requirements. Applicants must have a legally-acquired personal net worth of at least CAD $1.6 million and be willing to make an investment of CAD $800,000.
- Benefits. Successful applicants receive permanent resident status.
- Application Process. Applicants must submit an expression of interest, undergo a selection process, and provide proof of funds and business experience.
Entrepreneur Program:
- Requirements. Applicants must have a legally-acquired personal net worth of at least CAD $600,000 and be willing to establish or acquire and manage a qualifying business in Canada.
- Benefits. Successful applicants receive a work permit to start and manage their business in Canada and can eventually apply for permanent resident status.
- Application Process. Applicants must submit an expression of interest, create a business plan, undergo an interview, and meet other eligibility requirements.
Other Programs (e.g. Self-Employed Persons Program)
A number of programs are available for individuals looking to obtain permanent resident status.
- Self-Employed Persons Program is for individuals who have relevant experience in self-employment in cultural or athletic activities, and who intend to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.
- The eligibility criteria for the Self-Employed Persons Program include having at least 2 years of relevant self-employment experience, demonstrating the ability to be self-employed in Canada, and meeting the selection criteria for cultural or athletic activities, as well as language criteria.
- This program differs from the federal and provincial programs in that it focuses specifically on individuals with self-employment experience in cultural or athletic activities.
Required Documents for your Application
When applying for Canadian permanent residency, the primary applicant needs to submit various documents to complete their application. Here is a list of required documents for both “Within Canada” and “Outside Canada” applications:
Within Canada Application:
- Completed application forms
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of status in Canada (if applicable)
- Police certificates
- Medical examination results
- Language test results CELPIP
- Proof of education and/or work experience
- Proof of funds
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship (if applicable)
- Additional documents specified by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
To make sure your application is successful and as fast as possible, submit all documents with your application.
Outside Canada Application:
- Completed application forms
- Valid passport or travel document
- Police certificates from all countries resided in
- Medical examination results
- Language test results
- Proof of education and/or work experience
- Proof of funds
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship (if applicable)
- Additional documents specified by IRCC
Citizenship Test
The Canadian Citizenship Test is administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. One of the requirements to become a Canadian citizen is to take and pass this test. The test is designed to measure your general knowledge about Canada and the ways of living in Canada.
To be eligible for the Canadian citizen you must fit some criteria established by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, but the process to register and apply for the test is simple and straight forward.
If you are planning on taking the Canadian Citizenship test, you will also need to take the CELPIP test. More about English Language Tests for Citizenship
About the Test
The Canadian citizenship test can be taken written or oral, this decision is made by the office and it will depend on several circumstances. It can be administered in English or French, the two official languages in Canada. The test has 60 multiple-choice questions on the following topics:
- Canadian history
- Canadian Values
- Canadian institutions and values
- Canadian symbols
- Canadian citizen rights
- Canadian citizen responsibilities
- Concepts of democracy, society, monarchy, political system and branches of government
- Physical and political geography
- Social and cultural history
- Political and military history
On the day of the test, you must take the documentation you submit with your application, only original documentation is accepted. Also you must take the ID and travel documents you have used for the past 5 years.
Try our Citizenship Practice Test PDF
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Canadian citizenship test you must meet the following conditions:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Have the status of permanent resident
- Have been living in Canada for 1,095 days in the past four years
- Be able to speak one of the two official languages (English and French)
- You cannot be currently charged with a criminal offense
- To have knowledge of Canada and Canadian history
Here is what’s on the Canadian citizenship test
Citizenship Test Practice
Example Questions
1. Who initiated the Royal Proclamation of 1763?
a. Queen Victoria
b. King George III
c. King George IV
d. The Government of United Kingdom
2. Who are the descendants of 17th and 18th century French settlers?
a. The Québécois
b. The Acadians
c. The Ontarians
d. The seafarers
Answers
1. B
King George III initiated the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which guaranteed property rights to native settlers.
2. A
The Acadians and the Québécois, are descendants of the early French settlers of Canada.
Canadian Government Practice
Example Questions
1. What are the three levels of government in Canada?
a. Local, Provincial and Federal
b. Federal, Municipal and Provincial
c. Local, National and County
d. None of the above
2. What type of government does Canada have?
a. Parliamentary Democracy
b. Democratic Parliament
c. House of Commons
d. Federalism
Answers
1. B
The three levels of government in Canada are Municipal, Provincial and Federal.
2. A
Canada’s government is known as a Parliamentary Democracy.
Common mistakes on the Canadian citizenship test:
- Not studying enough: One of the biggest mistakes is not studying enough. Study materials provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and practice with sample tests to prepare adequately for the test.
- Not understanding the question: Some questions may be worded in a way that is difficult to understand. Read the question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked before answering. Complete Guide to Test Preparation
- Guessing: Some applicants may guess the answer to a question if they are unsure. However, guessing can lead to incorrect answers and potentially failing the test. There is no penalty for incorrect answers so guessing MAY be a good strategy – but only if you are ‘reasonably’ sure of the answer and fairly confident.
- Not memorizing important details You will be asked important dates, figures, and facts about Canada. It is important to memorize these details. How to Memorize Using Mnemonics
- Overthinking Try not to overthink the question and give complicated answers. Answer the questions concisely and accurately.
- Not reading the study guide: The study guide provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada has everything you need to know. Not reading the guide thoroughly will probably result in failing the test. What to do if you fail a test.
- Rushing through the test It may be tempting to rush through the test to finish quickly. Take your time and read each question carefully.
After you have completed all the questions, review your answers. Do not leave the test room early!
Common Mistakes on the Canadian Citizenship Test
How to register
The registration can be done online, through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. There you will be given an application package, including an instruction guide, the forms you need to fill out, a list of the documentation required, and a documentation checklist, to help you keep the process organized.
Fill out the application and gather every document you will need, like forms, personal documents (originals and copies), postal codes for Canadian and overseas addresses and fee payment.
The next step is to pay the required fees. For adults the processing fee is $530 and right of citizenship fee is $100, for an adopted adult the processing fee is $530 and right of citizenship fee is $100, adopted minors pay a processing fee ($100), and stateless adult born to Canadian parent the only fee to pay is the right of citizenship fee, which is $100.
The only payment method accepted is online payment, and there are no refunds if the process failed for any reason.
After the payment, you must submit your application by sending your completed application form, together with the documents required on the checklist. You can send it via mail or courier.
If there’s anything out of order with your application, it will be sent back to you, with the errors highlighted.
If the application is accepted by the office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada you will get a notice with the time and date of your test.
You can request a change of date if the one assigned to you is not convenient. To change the date, email or write to the office that sent the notice, explaining why you are not available on that date.
Results
If you take the written test the results are given right after you take test, if you did the interview version, the results and report score will be sent to you by mail.
If you passed, you will be notified at once and you will receive further instructions regarding your citizenship process. If you didn’t pass, the first time a second test will be scheduled immediately.
Get help with the Test
For answers to common questions concerning citizenship, your application and more, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada online help http://www.cic.gc.ca/
Un-official Citizenship practice questions here
Retaking the test
You will be allowed to take the test for a second time only if you meet the other requirements for citizenship. The second test will be schedule at once.
If you don’t pass the second test you will be notified and required to assist an interview with a citizenship officer. This interview can last up to 90 minutes and can be in person or by videoconference.
This interview is a great opportunity, because it gives you the chance to show that you didn’t pass because you were nervous, or some other reason, and display your knowledge of Canada and your domain of the language.
After the test
If you pass your Canadian citizenship test the office will give you the date and time of your citizenship ceremony. This will be provided at the same time you receive the test results, right after the test, or by email, or letter.
The ceremony usually takes place within three months after your test. At the ceremony, you will take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your citizenship certificate.
Canadian Citizenship FAQ
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