A permanent resident (PR) card is official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. As part of the immigration process, new permanent residents will automatically receive a card by mail when they first arrive in Canada. This is part of the immigration process and you do not need to apply for a PR Card. As part of the process, the required documents are filled out by the Canadian border officials when you first land in Canada. No further action is required from you. It usually takes three to four months for your first PR card to arrive by mail. You can check the latest processing times on the government website for up-to-date information on timelines.

A permanent resident (PR) is someone who has been given permanent resident status but is not a Canadian citizen. When foreign nationals first apply for and receive permanent residency, they are issued a PR visa in their passport. It provides approved individuals a one-time entry to Canada and has a validity period during which individuals are expected to travel to Canada and complete their landing formalities. Individuals who are in Canada temporarily such as a student, foreign workers or visitors, are not considered permanent residents and would not be issued a PR visa. The most sought-after way to settle as a PR in Canada is through immigration streams such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Refugees can also become permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

There are many ways newcomers can immigrate to Canada. A number of immigration programs are available that lead to permanent residency, including: Express Entry (EE): This is the most popular way to immigrate to Canada, due to its quick processing times. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): This is aimed at individuals who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to a specific province or territory. Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP): This program is for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Start-up Visa (SUV): Entrepreneurs with the skills to build innovative businesses in Canada, create jobs for Canadians, and compete on a global scale, can apply for a Start-up Visa. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): This is a community-driven program designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in a participating community. Family Sponsorship: Family sponsorship provides a route for spouses, partners, children, parents, grandparents, and in certain cases, other relatives to live, work and study in Canada as PRs. Quebec-selected Skilled Workers: This program is for skilled workers who wish to move as PRs and live and work in Quebec. Caregivers: Caregivers can come to Canada to become a PR or work temporarily through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot or Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). Self-employed: The Self-employed Persons Program allows individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons. Agri-food Pilot: This program helps address the labor needs of the Canadian agri-food sector and can be a pathway to PR.

The Express Entry (EE) program is one of the most sought-after and popular ways to immigrate to Canada. Express Entry is an online immigration application system that allows prospective newcomers to be considered skilled immigrants. A EE profile will determine your ranking and can be used to apply for: The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program: This program is for applicants with significant foreign work experience and/or a high level of education who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program: This program is for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada. Canadian Experience Class: This program is for foreign nationals who have been working in Canada for a period of at least one year to apply for Permanent Residence (PR).

The Government of Canada has an online tool that will help calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. CRS is the points-based system Canadian immigration uses to assess and rank your profile in the Express Entry pool. Some factors the tool assesses are: Skills Education Language Work experience This score (up to 1,200 points) can be used to check if you rank above the minimum required points from the most recent round of invitations.

Canada provides the opportunity to gain a world-class education in a multicultural setting, making it a rewarding decision. To study in Canada as an international student, you need to apply for a study permit: Enroll at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Get your documents ready, including proof of acceptance, proof of identity, and proof of financial support. Apply for a student permit online or via mail. Prepare for arrival once your student permit has been approved. You will need to have the following documents: Passport and travel documents, including a letter of introduction Valid eTA or temporary resident visa Valid letter of acceptance from a school Proof of funds to support yourself in Canada Any other letters of reference Proof of leaving Canada at the end of your stay.