Explore economic, provincial, regional and family-based pathways with a personalized strategy built around your qualifications, experience and long-term Canadian goals.
Permanent residence is an immigration status that allows an eligible person to live, work and study in Canada on a long-term basis while remaining a citizen of another country.
Canada offers different pathways for skilled workers, workers with Canadian experience, provincial nominees, eligible family members, regional candidates and applicants selected by Quebec.
Each pathway has separate eligibility requirements, selection criteria, document requirements and application procedures. Qualifying for one program does not automatically mean that an applicant will qualify for every PR pathway.
The most suitable pathway depends on your qualifications, Canadian connections, work history and intended destination.
Canada's online application-management system for eligible skilled workers applying through one of three federal economic immigration programs.
Provinces and territories can nominate candidates whose skills, education, experience or business background support their local priorities.
Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be able to sponsor qualifying family members for permanent residence.
An employer-driven permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled workers and international graduates intending to settle in Atlantic Canada.
Participating rural and Francophone communities may recommend eligible candidates who can support local workforce needs and community development.
Quebec selects candidates through its own economic and family-related immigration processes, followed by federal permanent residence and admissibility assessment.
Express Entry first determines whether a candidate qualifies for at least one of its three managed immigration programs. Eligible candidates are then assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System score.
IRCC conducts different rounds of invitations. Some rounds may consider candidates generally, while others can focus on a particular program or category established by the government.
Review work experience, language, education and other program-specific criteria.
Enter the pool with accurate information supported by valid documents.
Candidates are ranked using human-capital and additional scoring factors.
Invited candidates must submit a complete permanent residence application within the applicable deadline.
A lower Express Entry score does not necessarily mean that every Canadian permanent residence option is closed. Provincial, regional, employer-supported or family-based pathways may assess different factors.
Request a PR AssessmentYour personalized document checklist depends on the pathway, principal applicant, accompanying family members and immigration history.
Passports, birth records, marriage documents and family information.
Valid approved English or French test results, where required.
Diplomas, transcripts and educational credential assessments.
Employer letters and supporting records showing qualifying duties.
Financial evidence meeting the applicable program requirements.
Police certificates, medical examinations and background information.
A structured process focused on eligibility, evidence, consistency and changing program opportunities.
We review your qualifications, family composition, history, Canadian connections and immigration objectives.
Federal, provincial, regional and family-based pathways are compared against your circumstances.
We identify practical opportunities to strengthen eligibility, ranking or provincial selection prospects.
Supporting evidence is collected and reviewed according to the selected pathway.
The application is reviewed for accuracy and submitted through the applicable government process.
We help you understand additional requests, the final decision and permanent residence confirmation steps.
Permanent resident status provides important rights and opportunities, but it also comes with continuing legal obligations.
Your PR card is evidence used mainly for commercial travel back to Canada. An expired PR card does not automatically mean that permanent resident status has ended.
Permanent residents can generally live, work and study anywhere in Canada, subject to applicable laws and any genuine provincial intention provided during immigration.
Permanent residents generally need 730 qualifying days within a five-year period to comply with the residency obligation.
A valid PR card is normally required to return to Canada aboard a commercial carrier. Different documents may be required when outside Canada without a valid card.
Permanent residence does not automatically become citizenship. Citizenship has its own physical-presence and eligibility requirements.
We help you understand your options, plan your strategy and prepare an application that accurately reflects your background.
Discuss Your PR GoalsReview of federal, provincial and regional PR options.
Analysis of current ranking and improvement opportunities.
Identification of potentially relevant nomination streams.
A document plan based on the selected PR pathway.
Detailed consistency review before submission.
Guidance for updates and additional document requests.
General answers to common questions about Canadian permanent residence programs and PR status.
Permanent residence is an immigration status that allows an eligible person to live, work and study in Canada on a long-term basis. Permanent residents remain citizens of another country unless they later become Canadian citizens.
There is no single easiest pathway for everyone. The strongest option depends on age, education, language, work history, Canadian experience, family relationships, destination and provincial or employer support.
No. Creating an eligible Express Entry profile places the candidate in the pool. Invitations depend on ranking, round type, program eligibility, category requirements and current government invitation instructions.
An accepted Express Entry-aligned provincial nomination provides 600 additional CRS points. Non-Express Entry provincial nominees follow a separate permanent residence application process.
Eligible spouses or common-law partners and dependent children can often be included in a permanent residence application. All family members must be properly declared, including certain non-accompanying family members.
Processing time varies by program, application inventory, completeness, background checks and additional information requests. Current estimates should be checked through IRCC's official processing-time tool.
Permanent residents can travel, but they generally must accumulate at least 730 qualifying days within each applicable five-year period. Certain time outside Canada may count in specific circumstances.
An expired PR card does not automatically end permanent resident status. The card is primarily a travel document. PR status continues until it is formally lost or renounced through an applicable legal process.
No. Canadian citizenship is a separate application with its own eligibility, physical-presence, tax and other requirements. A permanent resident must separately qualify and apply for citizenship.
Immigration programs, invitation scores, categories, provincial allocations and processing requirements can change. This page provides general information and does not guarantee eligibility, selection or permanent residence approval.
Let us assess your profile and help you understand the Canadian permanent residence pathways that may align with your goals.
Take the next step with personalized immigration guidance from Yes Immigration’s licensed professionals.
