Permanent Resident Status:

Permanent Residents are citizens of other country but who have been given permanent resident status by virtue of their immigration to Canada. Anyone who is in Canada temporarily, like an international student or worker or a refugee claimant is not a permanent resident.

Permanent Residents have authorization to live, work or study anywhere in Canada as long as they maintain their status. Permanent resident status is renewed every five years on a rolling basis. Permanent Residents may renew their permanent resident status if they:

• Have been a permanent resident.
• Must meet the residency obligation, currently requires physical presence in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. There are certain exceptions to meet residency obligation; Permanent residents can count the days outside Canada:
  • If they have accompanied a Canadian citizen who is their spouse, common law partner or parent (if PRs are under 22 years of age).
  • If they have accompanied a permanent resident of Canada who is their spouse, common law partner or parent (if PRs are under 22 years of age) and that person is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province or territory during the time PRs accompanied them.
  • If they are employed by a Canadian business or the public service of Canada or a province or a territory and are assigned a full-time position outside Canada or to a client or an affiliate of the Canadian business or the public service outside Canada, but they need to be working with the employer in Canada after the assignment.
• submit their renewal application in Canada.

Upon renewal they will be issued PR Card that is usually valid for next five years. Permanent residents of Canada can eventually apply for the Canadian citizenship once they become eligible.

Permanent residents can receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage. They have same protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as Canadian citizens have. Permanent residents must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels but they are not allowed to run for political office and hold jobs that require high-level security clearance.

Permanent resident status is not lost upon expiry of PR card. Lose of PR status occurs if any of the official process are followed:

• An adjudicator determines that permanent resident status has been lost after an inquiry or PRTD appeal.
• Voluntarily renouncement of permanent resident status by a permanent resident.
• A removal order is made against a Permanent Resident and comes into force.
• Permanent Resident acquires Canadian citizen.

The permanent resident (PR) Card:

PR card can be used to show the permanent resident status in Canada. If permanent residents travel outside Canada, they will need to show their card and passport when they come back on a commercial vehicle, like an airplane, boat, train or bus.

PRs traveling outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card, or who are not carrying it, need to apply for a permanent resident travel document before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle.

PR card can be renewed if expired or nine months before the date of expiring. A replacement card can be requested in application if current PR card was lost, stolen or damaged.