Permanent Resident Canada
At IPJ Immigration Solutions, our dedicated team brings over 20 years of expertise in guiding individuals and families through the journey to becoming a permanent resident in Canada. With personalized support and a deep understanding of Canadian immigration laws, we help make your dream of living in Canada a reality with confidence.
What is Canadian Permanent Residence & Why Get It?
Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) gives the legal right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada indefinitely. PR holders are not Canadian citizens yet, but have almost all the same rights.
Permanent residents can work for any employer in any province, access Canada’s universal healthcare system, and send children to public schools for free. After 3 years as a PR, individuals qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship. PR holders can also sponsor family members to join them in Canada.
However, permanent residents cannot vote in elections, run for political office, or hold jobs requiring high level security clearance. They must meet residency requirements to keep their status living in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within every 5 year period.
Who Can Apply for Canadian PR?
Almost anyone can apply for Canadian Permanent Residence if they qualify under at least one immigration program.
You may be eligible if you:
- Have skilled work experience in occupations like IT, healthcare, engineering, trades, management, or finance. You need at least 1 year of full-time skilled work (or equivalent part-time).
- Graduated from a Canadian college or university and have Canadian work experience.
- Have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident willing to sponsor you (spouse, partner, parents, children).
- Are an entrepreneur or investor with business experience and capital.
- Are a refugee or need humanitarian protection.
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer (some programs require this, others don’t).
Pathways to Canadian PR
Canada offers multiple immigration programs to become a permanent resident. Each program has different eligibility requirements, processing times, and pathways.
Program | Who It’s For | Processing Time | Job Offer Needed? |
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) | Skilled workers with foreign work experience | 6 months | No |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | International students/workers with Canadian experience | 6 months | No |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | Workers, students, or entrepreneurs nominated by a province | 6-18 months | Sometimes |
Family Sponsorship | Spouses, partners, children, parents of Canadian citizens/PRs | 12-24 months | No |
Start-Up Visa | Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas | 12-16 months | No |
Atlantic Immigration Program | Workers with job offers in Atlantic Canada | 6-12 months | Yes |
Caregiver Programs | Caregivers with Canadian work experience | 12-24 months | Yes |
Express Entry - The Fastest Path to PR
Express Entry is an application management system, not a single program. It manages three federal economic programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades.
To apply, you create an online profile and answer questions about your age, education, work experience, and language ability. Based on this, the system calculates your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, out of 1,200 points.
You’ll enter a pool of candidates, and every two weeks, Immigration Canada invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for Permanent Residency (PR). Recent cutoff scores have ranged from 480-540 points.
If you receive an invitation, you’ll have 60 days to submit a complete PR application with all necessary documents. Immigration Canada processes most Express Entry applications in 6 months or less.
The process offers fast processing, no job offer required (for most applicants), the ability to bring your spouse and children, and the opportunity to improve your CRS score while in the pool by getting a job offer, improving language scores, or obtaining a provincial nomination (which adds 600 points).
PR Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for most Canadian PR programs, you need:
- Language test results: Take IELTS, CELPIP (English), or TEF (French). Most programs require minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, which equals IELTS 6.0 overall. Higher scores earn more points in Express Entry.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you studied outside Canada, get your degrees evaluated by a designated organization like WES or ICAS. This confirms your foreign education equals Canadian standards.
- Skilled work experience: At least 1 year of full-time work (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled occupation. Check Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) to see if your job qualifies.
- Proof of funds: Show you can support yourself and your family when you arrive. For a single person, you need about $14,000 CAD. Amounts increase with family size.
- Medical exam and police certificates: Required for all PR applicants and their family members.
PR Application Process & Timeline
- Determine which program fits you: Express Entry (6 months processing), Provincial Nominee (6 months after nomination), Spousal Sponsorship Inland (12 months) or Outland (12-24 months), Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship (24-36 months), Start-Up Visa (12-16 months). Use Immigration Canada eligibility tools or consult immigration consultant.
- Check eligibility and gather documents: Language test results, Educational Credential Assessment, work reference letters, police certificates, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates.
- Submit your application: Most programs use online applications through Immigration Canada’s portal. Some still accept paper applications.
- Biometrics appointment: Provide fingerprints and photo at a designated service point.
- Medical exam: Complete exam with an Immigration Canada-approved physician.
- Background checks: Immigration Canada verifies your criminal history, work experience, and education.
- Decision: If approved, you receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If already in Canada, complete a virtual landing or in-person appointment. If outside Canada, immigration officer confirms your PR when you arrive.
Costs & Fees for Canadian PR
Government fees (per person):
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515 CAD (adults only)
- Processing fee: $850 CAD (principal applicant), $850 (spouse), $230 (dependent child)
- Biometrics: $85 per person or $170 per family
- Medical exam: $200-$500 per person (varies by country and clinic)
Additional costs:
- Language tests: IELTS ($300-$350), CELPIP ($280), TEF ($400)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): $200-$300
- Police certificates: $0-$100 depending on country
- Translation services: Varies if documents not in English/French
Why Choose IPJ Immigration for Permanent Residency Applications?
Personalized Solutions
Every applicant has unique circumstances. We provide customized strategies to help you navigate the specific requirements of Canada's permanent residency pathways, whether through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or family sponsorship.
Comprehensive Support
From gathering necessary documents to submitting your application, we assist you in preparing a complete and accurate application that aligns with the latest immigration laws, reducing the risk of delays or refusals.
Expert Guidance
Our team helps you understand the eligibility criteria for permanent residency, including the importance of language proficiency, education, work experience, and other factors that influence your application success.
Clear Communication
We ensure you are informed at every step, from understanding your options to preparing for interviews or additional documents. We prioritize transparency, keeping you updated on your application’s progress.
Proven Success
With years of experience and a strong track record of successful permanent residency applications, we are confident in our ability to guide you toward obtaining Canadian permanent residency.
Quick Processing
We don’t stop at submission. Our team offers continuous support throughout the process, from tracking your application status to addressing any concerns, ensuring a smooth path to permanent residency in Canada.
Hear from our previous clients
Every application represents someone’s hopes, dreams, and future. Here are just a few of the people we’ve been honored to help.
Meet Our Experienced Team
A women-owned, family-run practice where your case receives personal attention from experienced professionals who genuinely care.
Immigration law is our profession, but helping people navigate life-changing journeys is our passion. We’re a small, dedicated team, which means you’re not just another file number. We remember your story, we follow your progress, and we celebrate your success as if it were our own.
Irena Bartoszewicz Szajna
Senior Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Irena Bartoszewicz Szajna
Senior Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Paulina Harirbafan
Immigration Lawyer / Notary Public
Paulina Harirbafan
Immigration Lawyer / Notary Public
Justyna Szajna
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Justyna Szajna
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the concerns clients bring to us. If you’re feeling any of these worries, we can help.
Processing times vary by program. Express Entry takes about 6 months after you're invited to apply. Provincial Nominee Programs take 6-18 months total. Family sponsorship takes 12-24 months. Start early and ensure your application is complete to avoid delays.
Not for most programs. Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and many Provincial Nominee streams don't require job offers. However, having a valid job offer can add 50-200 points to your Express Entry CRS score.
Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 years old. They become permanent residents with you and have the same rights.
CRS cutoffs change every draw. Recent scores range from 480-540 points. Check Immigration Canada's website for the latest draw results. You can improve your score by retaking language tests, getting a job offer, or obtaining a provincial nomination (adds 600 points instantly).
Yes. Most programs allow applications from anywhere in the world. You don't need to be in Canada to apply, though some programs like Canadian Experience Class require Canadian work or study experience first.
Still have questions? That's what consultations are for. Book a consultation and get clear, honest answers about your specific situation.
Your Immigration Journey Starts with a Conversation
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Why Book Your Consultation:
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