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Learn what a permanent resident is, as well as how to apply for permanent residency and maintain permanent resident status in Canada.
A permanent resident (PR) is a person who has immigrated to Canada and been granted permanent resident status by the federal government.
A permanent resident is not a citizen but has similar rights, such as the ability to work, live, study and invest in Canada; protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and access to most social benefits.
The key differences between a permanent resident and a citizen are that permanent residents cannot vote or run for political office. Permanent residents also cannot hold certain jobs that require high-level security clearance or hold a Canadian passport. If permanent residents want to travel outside the country, they can do so with a PR card (Permanent Resident card) or a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) and their passport from their country of citizenship.
There are many pathways to applying for permanent residency in Canada. For example:
To explore all of the pathways to permanent residency, visit the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is the government department that oversees immigration programs, refugee protection, citizenship services and issuing Canadian travel documents.
To maintain permanent resident status, a person must have been in Canada for at least 730 days within the last five years. “These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need,” says the IRCC website.
PR cards are usually valid for five years but can sometimes be valid for only one year. If your card has expired or will expire in less than six months, the IRCC recommends you apply to renew it. Note that renewing a PR card takes several weeks.
Example: “Emily applied for permanent residency through a Provincial Nominee Program, and she was one of the 1,000-plus candidates who received an invitation in mid-December 2024.”
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