Permanent Residence PR Questions

What is Permanent Residence in Canada?

Permanent Residents are persons who have been given a permanent resident status by the Government of Canada. These people are not citizens of Canada; however, they are permanent residents because they immigrated to Canada. Permanent Residents are citizens of other countries, i.e.: they are foreign nationals and hold passports of countries other than Canada, but have the ability to permanently reside in Canada within the given time requirements.

Temporary Residents are individuals who are permitted to enter and stay in Canada for a short while only, such as for studying or for temporary employment, are not considered to be permanent residents.

A person who files a refugee claim does not automatically become a permanent resident of Canada. First the Immigration and Refugee Board must approve the validity of their claim. After that, the person must apply for and wait for a successful application to be granted permanent resident status.

What is Permanent Resident Card?

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is your proof of Canadian Permanent Residency when you travel, live, commute, or work outside Canada should you wish to return to Canada, you will have to present this PR Card in order to re-enter through a commercial vehicle such as a plane, boat, or a bus

Permanent Resident of Canada need to show their Permanent Resident Status in order to prove their status in Canada such as their PR Card. If person who are living outside of Canada and wish to return to Canada will have to present a Permanent Resident Card; if the card is lost, stolen, or not available at the time required, then the person travelling as well as everyone travelling with the person will have to obtain a Permanent Resident Document before being able to enter Canada.

Should your permanent resident card expire; it does not mean you have lost your permanent resident status.

PR Card Holder Rights

As a Permanent Resident of Canada you can:

• Access almost all social benefits in Canada at the federal, provincial, or municipal level; including health care coverage from your province of residence;
• Live, work, or study in any province or territory of Canada
• Obtain all protection granted under Canadian Law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
• Apply for Canadian Citizenship when deemed eligible and fit to do so

What a Permanent Resident cannot do:

As a permanent resident of Canada, you cannot:

• Run for or vote for a political office, including the general elections
• Hold certain jobs that require high level clearance

Will I Lose my Permanent Resident Status if I don’t meet Residency Requirements?

You cannot simply lose your Permanent Resident Status; it is not an automatic process. You will not lose your permanent resident status simply by living outside of Canada for a period greater than the one authorized such that you no longer meet the residency requirements. You have not lost your permanent resident status even if you are no longer eligible to re-enter Canada using your permanent resident card.

You may lose your Permanent Resident Status if:

• A suitable judge agrees that you are no longer a permanent resident Canada following a respective investigation or inquiry
• A immigration or visa officer determines that you no longer meet the requirements for residency when you apply for a permanent resident travel document or a temporary resident travel document

There are other ways by which you can also lose your permanent resident status:

• If in a period of five years you do not live at least two years in Canada
• You are convicted of a serious crime or offence for which you are asked to leave Canada, such serious offence or crimes include but are not limited to terrorism or treason
• You become a permanent resident of Canada after which you no longer require permanent resident status or a permanent resident card

Applying for a Permanent Resident Card

The permanent resident card if an official proof of your status as a permanent resident of Canada; it is a wallet sized plastic card that you can show upon o port of entry to enter or exit Canada without any assisting documents.

To apply for a permanent resident card, you must complete the Application for a Permanent Resident Card – document IMM5444 – according to the checklist IM5644 and submit suitable photo according to the photo requirements for a Permanent Resident card.

Eligibility for Permanent Residence Status

To find out if you are eligible for permanent residency in Canada, you can use the online application tool online the cic.gc.ca to determine your eligibility.

The tool will provide you a basis on what you are eligibility for permanent residence stands on

Eligibility for a Permanent Resident Card

• You can apply for a permanent resident card if you have permanent residence status in Canada
• You are currently residing in Canada
• The Federal Government of Canada has not asked you to leave the country
• You are not a citizen of Canada

If you are a citizen of Canada, you do not need (and cannot have) a permanent resident card. If you are a new permanent resident, you do not need to apply for a permanent resident card; it will be made and sent to you automatically. A PR Card is usually valid for a period of five years and is valid for until the day of expiry as issued and stated on your card. Under certain conditions a PR Card can be issued for 1 year. The usual processing times for such applications varies between 15 months to 22 months and depends on the applicant’s foreign nationality. You can check online at cic.gc.ca to check the processing times for your permanent resident application and by inputting your nationality.

With a permanent resident card you are just a step away from becoming a citizen of Canada. However, an unsuccessful application could result in unwanted delays that could hinder your future and complicate further applications

What does it mean to have a Permanent Resident Status in Canada?

If you have obtained permanent resident status in Canada it means you are allowed to remain indefinitely in Canada. These individuals are not considered citizens of Canada they have citizenship from another country. As the Permanent Resident you can live and work any part of Canada. Also, as the Permanent Resident you can go to school, receive benefits and health care just like a Canadian citizen. Unfortunately, as the Permanent Resident you are not able to vote or stay outside of Canada for more than three years out of the five.

What is the Right of Permanent Resident Fee RPRF?

Today permanent residence is recognized to have a certain value attached to it. There is an opportunity to improve one’s economic or market value. There is value to having access extensive variety of services and programs that are available to you at low or no cost at all. The Right of Permanent Resident Fee is a charge that is paid by a principal applicant and a spouse or common-law partner who is travelling with them, before the applicant can become a permanent resident of Canada. This fee covers partial costs for the various benefits come along with having permanent resident status. It also helps with the different costs that sometimes incurs in the delivering in the immigration program.

Who is not Required to pay Right of Permanent Resident Fee

There are some exemptions and certain persons do not have to pay this fee. The following persons are:

• A family member who is a dependent child of a principal applicant
• A dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and a principal applicant who is Canada that has made an application
• A person in the permit holder class who is a dependent child of a member of the permit holder class who has made an application to remain in Canada as a permanent resident
• A member of the protected temporary resident class and the family members included in their application

When Do I have to Pay Right of Permanent Resident Fee?

The RPRF should be paid before the issuance of the permanent resident visa. Your visa will not be issued and you will not become a permanent resident until the payment is received. To avoid delays with the processing of the application you should pay the fee early. There are cases where the process is known to be long and they suggest you wait to pay RPRF until you are contacted by CIC.

Can I get a Loan to pay Right of Permanent Resident Fee?

If you cannot pay the RPRF you can apply for a loan. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee loan will help cover the cost of the. If you are unable to pay they will notify you that your application cannot be paid until the RPRF has been paid.

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you need help with submitting a PR card application or are unsure what to do if you don’t meet residency requirements then contact us today at 416-477-2545 and let us assist you with your immigration matter.

With Akrami and Associates there is always a way!!