How does one get Permanent Residence?
The saying goes: “There are many ways to skin a cat.” There are also many ways to become a Permanent Resident in Canada (none of which, thankfully, involve skinning cats).
Here are the different categories, each with its own criteria:
1. Skilled workers and professionals
2. Quebec-selected skilled workers
3. Canadian Experience Class
4. Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Self-Employed people
5. Provincial Nominees
6. Sponsored Family Members
7. Refugees
8. Other
The government aims to grant PR to a given number of people in each category per year. (How they come to this number I do not know, but I assume it involves civil servants, consultations with labor market stakeholders, an agenda coinciding with the ruling party’s position on the political spectrum, and some sort of mathematical formula.)
Here’s a rough look at the trend in Permanent Residents by category in the last 3 years that I made from figures provided on the CIC website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2011-summary/01.asp):
As you can see, most people who are granted PR are “Economic Immigrants”. So, I’m going to focus on that category for now. Here’s a further breakdown of Economic Immigrants granted Permanent Residence in 2011 (also from the CIC) chart:
As you can see, most Economic Immigrants are considered “skilled workers and professionals”. So what does it take to become a skilled worker? In brief, education, knowledge of English and/or French, work experience and other factors relating to economic suitability count for points here. I’ve tried to summarize this information into the little graphic below. However, the rules for applying in this category do change often so it is best to check the CIC website frequently if this is the category your application fits under.
Note that skilled workers applying to Quebec take a different route and are specially selected by that province.
All of this sounds fine and dandy, but there have been issues with the federal skilled worker stream of applications. Notably, a massive backlog of people who applied to come to Canada over 4 years ago. This was in the news around a month ago because Minister Jason Kenney decided to deal with the backlog by clearing the slate, hitting restart and pretending as though most of it didn’t happen. The people caught up in the backlog were told they would have to start again (although the government did promise to refund their application fees). Additionally, he has put a “temporary pause” on federal skilled worker applications (with a couple of exceptions). Why? Well, look at this direct quote from the CIC website:
“Why are you putting a temporary pause on Federal Skilled Worker applications?
CIC is implementing a temporary pause in order to draw down the FSWP inventory, helping to clear way for the introduction of a new application management system to support our “just in time” vision of immigration. The temporary will also enable the Department to concentrate efforts on bringing in an improved FSWP to select skilled workers who will be better positioned to succeed in the Canadian economy.
Application intake will likely be re-opened to coincide with the launch of the revised FSWP selection criteria and new Federal Skilled Trades Program. The proposed regulatory amendments will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette in the coming months and are expected to take effect by early 2013.
It is important to note that this temporary pause on new FSWP applications does not apply to candidates with qualifying offers of arranged employment or to those applying under the PhD eligibility stream.”
What kind of costs and forms are involved?
Of course, there are multiple forms and other hoops to jump through, and costs to account for when applying for Permanent Residency regardless of the stream you are applying in. I doubt I, as someone who has never completed the process, can accurately list all of these costs, forms, and processes. If I’ve missed anything please let me know it the comments! (or on www.twitter.com @MBlogger2 or via email comingtocanadablog@gmail.com or on www.youtube.com Coming2CanadaBlg)
You can check out everything straight from the source! That way, there’s little chance of me telling you something that is incorrect. Check out:
What are the benefits of having Permanent Residence in Canada?
Being a Permanent Resident allows you to live and work in Canada (which is a goal for immigrants who wish to settle and stay in this country, obviously). So, if you get your PR card in the mail, it is definitely time to celebrate because you have succeeded in navigating the Canadian immigration system in order to achieve a goal.
From the CIC website:
You get a PR Card. This PR Card allows you to re-enter Canada when/if you leave.
You have Canadian rights and privileges. This includes: the right to most Canadian social services and health care, the right to work/study/live anywhere in Canada, the right to apply for citizenship (when you meet the requirements), etc.
What are the conditions of Permanent Residency?
You can lose Permanent Resident Status if you do not meet the conditions and legal requirement associated with your status.
You must reside in Canada for at least 2 out 5 years while you hold a PR Card.
You cannot be convicted of a serious crime. This may still report in deportation.
You are not yet a Canadian citizen. Technically, you are still a citizen of your home country.
This website goes through the process in fairly direct, step-by-step way and may be a helpful additional resource for some, particularly those looking to apply as Live-in Caregivers: http://www.tlc-edmonton.com/immigration.html
