Canada's permanent residence.

Work, Live, & Thrive in Canada.

Canada offers numerous pathways for individuals seeking permanent residence, providing opportunities to build a life in a diverse, welcoming, and economically vibrant nation. Explore the key programs, eligibility criteria, and essential information for prospective applicants.

Canada's Permanent Residence Programs

Overview

Achieving Permanent Resident status in Canada offers the opportunity to live, work, and study across the nation indefinitely. As a PR holder, you gain access to most social benefits enjoyed by Canadian citizens, including healthcare, and are protected under Canadian law. For many, it represents a significant step towards potential Canadian citizenship.

Canada's immigration system offers various pathways to permanent residence, tailored to different skills, experiences, and family connections. Understanding these programs is the first step in your immigration journey.

At FNDCS Immigration, we help individuals and families from around the world turn their Canadian dream into reality. Whether you’re a skilled worker, entrepreneur, caregiver, or simply want to reunite with family, there’s a pathway designed for you.

What is Canadian Permanent Residency

Permanent Residency (PR) is a legal status that allows non-Canadian citizens to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada on a long-term basis. As a PR holder, you enjoy almost all the same rights as Canadian citizens, except voting and holding certain government positions.

After holding PR status for a few years, you may also become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Why Choose Canada?

Canada consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices, making it an attractive destination for immigrants. Here are nine compelling reasons to consider permanent residence in Canada:

Immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident
High Quality of Life

Canada offers a high standard of living, with access to universal healthcare, quality education, and robust social services. The country prioritizes work-life balance, contributing to a more relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle.

Strong Economy

Canada boasts a stable and growing economy with diverse job opportunities across various sectors. The country actively seeks skilled workers to contribute to its workforce, providing ample prospects for career advancement.

Excellent Education System

Canada's education system is renowned for its quality, offering world-class institutions from primary schools to universities. Permanent residents have access to publicly funded education, ensuring a strong foundation for their families.

Multiculturalism and Diversity

Canada embraces multiculturalism, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for people from all over the world. This diversity enriches Canadian society and provides newcomers with a sense of belonging.

Universal Healthcare

Canadians and permanent residents have access to universal healthcare, ensuring that essential medical services are available and affordable. This provides peace of mind and contributes to the overall well-being of residents.

Safe and Welcoming Communities

Canada is known for its safe and peaceful communities, with low crime rates and a strong sense of social cohesion. Canadians are generally welcoming and tolerant, making it easier for newcomers to integrate and feel at home.

Beautiful Natural Environment

Canada's vast and diverse landscape offers stunning natural beauty, from majestic mountains to pristine lakes and forests. The country's commitment to environmental protection ensures that residents can enjoy these natural treasures.

Path to Citizenship

Permanent residence is a significant step towards Canadian citizenship. After meeting certain residency requirements, PR holders can apply to become Canadian citizens, gaining additional rights and privileges, such as the right to vote.

Social Stability and Good Governance

Canada has a stable political system, a strong rule of law, and a transparent government. This social stability provides a secure and predictable environment for residents, fostering confidence in the future.

Key Streams for Canadian Permanent Residence

Canada offers several pathways to permanent residence, each designed to address specific needs and circumstances:

Express Entry System
The Express Entry system manages applications for skilled workers under Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. Applicants are ranked via a points-based CRS and invited to apply for PR.
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Provinces and territories have PNPs that allow them to nominate individuals who meet their specific economic and labor market needs. A provincial nomination can significantly increase a candidate's chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
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Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
Quebec independently selects skilled workers through its own points-based system. Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. After Quebec selection, they apply to IRCC for PR processing.
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Designed for Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador—the AIP helps employers hire skilled foreign workers. Job offers and settlement plans are required for PR application.
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Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
RNIP supports smaller Canadian communities in attracting skilled workers. Candidates need a job offer from a participating community and meet community-specific criteria before applying for permanent residence.
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Agri-Food Pilot
This pilot offers PR to experienced, non-seasonal workers in agriculture and food processing sectors. Eligible occupations include meat processing, mushroom production, and livestock farming. Job offers and language proficiency are required.
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Start-Up Visa Program
Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas and support from a designated organization can gain PR through the Start-Up Visa Program. Applicants must meet language, funding, and ownership requirements.
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Self-Employed Persons Program
This program targets individuals with cultural, athletic, or artistic experience who can contribute to Canada’s cultural life. Applicants must show relevant experience and intent to be self-employed in Canada.
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Family Sponsorship Program
Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor spouses, children, parents, and grandparents for PR. Sponsors must meet income and support obligations to bring eligible family members to Canada.
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Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Stream
This stream targets experienced entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish or buy a business in a specific province. Candidates must meet investment, net worth, and management criteria to qualify for nomination.
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Home Child Care Provider Pilot
This pilot allows foreign caregivers with a job offer to care for children in private homes to apply for PR. Applicants can also gain a work permit to obtain required Canadian experience.
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Home Support Worker Pilot
Designed for individuals caring for seniors or persons with disabilities in private homes, this pilot offers a PR pathway. A job offer and language, education, and admissibility requirements must be met.
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Who Can Apply

Individuals from around the world can apply for Canadian permanent residence, provided they meet the eligibility requirements of the specific program they are applying under. Eligibility varies depending on factors such as skills, work experience, family connections, and other criteria.

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Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Canadian permanent residence varies depending on the specific immigration program. However, some common factors include:

  • Language Proficiency - Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French through approved language tests.
  • Education - Educational qualifications may need to be assessed to ensure they meet Canadian standards.
  • Work Experience - Many programs require a certain amount of skilled work experience.
  • Age - Age can be a factor in some programs, with younger applicants often receiving higher scores.
  • Adaptability - Factors such as previous study or work experience in Canada can be beneficial.
  • Proof of Funds - Applicants must show they have sufficient settlement funds (unless exempt via job offer or Canadian work).
  • Police Clearance - Applicants must provide police certificates to show no serious criminal record.
  • Admissibility - Must be admissible to Canada (no security, criminal, or medical grounds for denial).
  • Intent to Reside Outside Quebec - For federal programs, applicants must plan to live outside Quebec, unless applying through Quebec’s own process.
  • Medical Exam - Must undergo an approved medical examination to prove no serious health risk to public or high demand on health services.

How Long Does It Take?

Processing times vary by program. Here is an overview on the processing times for each program.

(Note - these times are subject to change based on Canadian Immigration updates)

Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): 6–8 months
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 4–6 months
Federal Skilled Trades (FST): 8–12 months
PNPs
Non-Express Entry Streams: 15–21 months
Express Entry-Aligned (EE PNP): 7–9 months
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
CSQ Processing (Quebec stage): 6–8 months
Federal PR application (IRCC stage): 12–15 months
Total: 18–24 months
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Average: 12–14 months
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
Average: 12–16 months
Agri-Food Pilot
Average: 12–16 months
Home Child Care Provider Pilot
Initial Work Permit: 12–14 months
PR after 24 months of work experience: Additional 6–8 months
Home Support Worker Pilot
Initial Work Permit: 12–14 months
PR after 24 months of work experience: Additional 6–8 months
Family Sponsorship
Spouse/Partner (Inland/Outland): 12–14 months
Parents/Grandparents: 20–24 months
Dependent Children: 10–12 months
Entrepreneur Program (PNP)
Average: 12–18 months
Self-Employed Persons Program
Average: 24–36 months
Start-Up Visa
Average: 12–18 months

Documents You Need

To apply for Canadian permanent residency, you’ll need several important documents to prove your identity, qualifications, and eligibility. These typically include a valid passport, language test results (such as IELTS or TEF), an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees, work reference letters, proof of funds, police clearance certificates, and a medical exam report from an approved panel physician. Depending on the program, you may also need a job offer, nomination certificate, or family sponsorship documents. Having accurate, up-to-date documents is key to a smooth application process.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The CRS is a points-based system that assesses and ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool. As of March 25, 2025, job offer points have been removed from the CRS calculation. However, candidates are still encouraged to include job offer details in their profiles to maintain eligibility for certain programs.

1. Core/Human Capital Factors
These factors consider the principal applicant's age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
  • Age - Up to 110 points
  • Level of Education - Up to 150 points
  • Official Languages Proficiency - Up to 160 points
  • Canadian Work Experience - Up to 80 points
2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors
If applicable, these factors assess the spouse or partner's education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.
  • Level of Education - Up to 10 points
  • Official Languages Proficiency - Up to 20 points
  • Canadian Work Experience - Up to 10 points
3. Skill Transferability Factors
These factors evaluate the combination of education, foreign work experience, and Canadian work experience.
  • Education and Language Proficiency - Up to 50 points
  • Foreign Work Experience and Language Proficiency - Up to 50 points
  • Certificate of Qualification in a Trade and Language Proficiency - Up to 50 points
4. Additional Points
These are awarded for factors like provincial nominations, Canadian education, siblings in Canada, and French language proficiency.
  • Provincial Nomination - 600 points
  • Canadian Education Credential - 15–30 points
  • French Language Proficiency - 25–50 points
  • Sibling in Canada - 15 points
The maximum CRS score is 1,200 points, distributed as follows:
  • Core/Human Capital + Spouse Factors - Up to 500 points
  • Skill Transferability Factors - Up to 100 points
  • Additional Points - Up to 600 points
Note on Job Offers -
As of March 25, 2025, points for job offers have been removed from the CRS calculation. However, including job offer details in your Express Entry profile is still important to maintain eligibility for certain programs, such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program and some Provincial Nominee Program streams.

Calculate Your CRS Score

Estimate your potential Canadian immigration Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by answering a few questions below.

Core Human Capital
Spouse/Common-law Partner Factors
Skill Transferability
Additional Points
Provincial Nomination
Calculate CRS Score
Total Score -
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FAQ's

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Canada?

Processing times vary depending on the specific program and application volume. Express Entry applications are often processed within six months, while other programs may take longer.

How much does it cost to apply for permanent residence?

Application fees vary depending on the program. These fees include government related fees, service fees, documentation fees, and other fees you will be required to pay towards a complete application. A detailed government fee information is available on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Can I work in Canada while my application is being processed?

In most cases, you will need a valid work permit to work in Canada. Applying for permanent residence does not automatically grant you the right to work in Canada.

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?

The Comprehensive Ranking System is a points-based system used to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry system. Points are awarded for factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

How do Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) work?

PNPs allow provinces and territories to nominate individuals who meet their specific economic and labor market needs. Each province has its own set of criteria and application processes.

Ready to Begin Your Canadian Journey?

Getting PR is more than just paperwork—it’s the first step to building a better life in Canada.

Whether you’re a skilled worker, student, investor, or family member, we’re here to make your Canadian dream a reality.

Book a free consultation today, and let’s take the first step together.

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How FNDCS Immigration Can Assist You

Our team of seasoned professionals is committed to providing end-to-end support throughout your immigration process. From initial consultation to finalizing documentation and beyond, rely on FNDCS Immigration for unparalleled expertise and personalized service.

Unlock unparalleled opportunities and embrace a world of possibilities with  FNDCS Immigration.

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