FAQs: 5 Things You Need to Know About Canadian Residency Requirements

Canadian Permanent Residency is well-sought after thanks to its many benefits and the stability you’ll get by having Permanent Residency (PR) status in a first-world country like this one. Over 411,000 people were granted permanent residency in Canada in 2021, and an estimated 431,645 will be welcomed in 2022.

Canada’s workforce increases annually thanks to immigration by granting PR status to foreigners Canada retains its workforce and gives people the opportunity to grow and lead lives in Canada.

It's a country full of opportunity, so it's no wonder that many foreigners are looking to live and work in Canada. To get to know more about the process and benefits, we’ve put together the five most asked questions and answered them for you below:

Can I get a Permanent Residency in Canada?

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You might have already done some research on how to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Then you’ll know that one of the fastest and most popular ways is through the Express Entry System. It allows for skilled professionals and tradespersons to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis.

There are three possible routes you can take through this system:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which requires you to have a high language test result and a degree or certification that can be certified by a Canadian authority.
  • Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) which is designed to help tradespeople with more than two years of work experience, a moderate result in the language test, and a work offer, immigrate to Canada on a permanent basis.
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a Canadian immigration program targeted toward people who already have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience and get moderate results for the language test.

How to apply for permanent residency in Canada:

  • Step 1: Open an online profile and fill in all your personal information such as your name, contact info, work experience, education etc.
  • Step 2: Choose which of the three streams you’re going to apply for based on the requirements you meet
  • Step 3: Wait for a successful initial application which will come in the form of an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR sent to you by the Canadian authorities.
  • Step 4: Upload all your supporting documentation
  • Step 5: Pay your fees and submit your application

What Benefits Do I Get as a Permanent Resident?

As a permanent resident of Canada, you will be afforded various benefits that can help you financially and increase your stability in the country.

Universal Healthcare

Thanks to Canada’s tax system, as a permanent resident you can enjoy free universal healthcare that covers most healthcare services and emergency medical services. You can apply for government health insurance through your province, as each has a different system.

Understanding what your plan covers is very important as they differ from province to province. When you get permanent residency you will be accepted into your province’s healthcare system and receive a card to get medical benefits and services at clinics or hospitals.

However, this won’t happen overnight! You might be waiting up to three months in some provinces to get put into the medical insurance system. When you do, you can show your card to public health services providers like your family doctor who can treat you when you’re sick, check your blood pressure or perform blood tests.

Your medical insurance will also cover getting medication. You can get over-the-counter medication for headaches and colds with your insurance card. If you have to get prescription medication, however, your government insurance might not cover it. That’s why most Canadians have separate, private insurance for things like prescription medication and dental care. Many workplaces add private insurance as a benefit as well.

Can Canadian Permanent Residents Sponsor Family?

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As a Canadian permanent resident you can sponsor your family to join you in the beautiful northern country. If you have a spouse, children or parents that you would like to sponsor you’ll have to provide proof that you can support them while they live in Canada. Your income will factor into how many people you can sponsor.

Spouses

If you are over the age of 18, and can prove you’re not getting assistance from the government, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the person you sponsored becomes a permanent resident. For this reason, you cannot sponsor someone if you’re a permanent resident that resides outside of Canada. Canadian authorities will investigate the legitimacy of every relationship to ensure that the marriage is true.

Children

You can sponsor your children if they’re under the age of 22 years old and they don’t have a spouse or common-law partner. You can either put them down as a dependent in your application for permanent residency or you can apply after you receive your PR status.

Parents

Much like the requirements to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or your children, you’ll have to be above 18 years old and earn sufficient income to sponsor your parents (or grandparents). Online, you can apply simultaneously to sponsor your parents while they apply for permanent residency.

Can my Canadian Permanent Residency Get Revoked?

You can lose your permanent residency status in Canada for various reasons:

  • If you become a Canadian Citizen.
  • You can renounce your PR status if you no longer want to live in Canada or you haven't lived in Canada enough to keep your permanent residency. In the last five years, you must have been in the country for at least 730 days, although they don’t need to be continuous.
  • You become inadmissible to Canada for committing a crime, for security reasons or violating human rights.

Can I vote as a Canadian Permanent Resident?

According to the charter of rights and freedoms of Canada, all citizens are allowed to vote. However, this privilege is reserved for citizens and Canadian Permanent residents aren’t allowed to vote. While this may seem unfair as you’ll be living in the country, you can apply for citizenship if you meet the following requirements and you’ll be able to vote:

  • be a permanent resident
  • have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
  • have filed your taxes, if you need to
  • pass a citizenship test
  • prove your language skills

What do I do next?

Now that you’re more aware on how to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency, you can take the next couple of steps. We hope that these answers help you on your journey to get permanent residency in Canada. If you’re ready to chat to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) about your immigration options or want more information, take the next step.