Permanent Residency
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Canada's permanent residence system is one of the most structured in the world. The main economic pathway is Express Entry, which manages three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). Candidates are ranked by their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the highest-ranked are invited to apply in regular draws.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow each province to nominate candidates who meet their specific labor market needs. A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points in Express Entry, effectively guaranteeing selection. Other pathways include the Atlantic Immigration Program, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Agri-Food Pilot, and Start-Up Visa Program for entrepreneurs. The total government fee for a principal applicant is approximately $1,365 CAD (processing fee plus right of permanent residence fee).
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You want to live and work permanently in Canada
- You have skilled work experience, a job offer, or a provincial nomination
- You are a graduate of a Canadian institution with Canadian work experience
- You are an entrepreneur with a qualifying business plan and support from a designated organization
Express Entry programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): Minimum 1 year of continuous skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in the past 10 years. Must score at least 67/100 on the FSW points grid (age, education, language, work experience, arranged employment, adaptability). Language minimum: CLB 7 in all abilities. Education: credential assessment required for foreign degrees.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Minimum 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past 3 years. Language minimum: CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 occupations, CLB 5 for TEER 2/3. No education requirement. No points grid — ranked by CRS only.
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST): Minimum 2 years of experience in a skilled trade in the past 5 years. Must have a valid job offer or certificate of qualification from a Canadian province. Language minimum: CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing.
CRS score breakdown (maximum 1,200):
- Core human capital factors (age, education, language, Canadian work experience): up to 500 points (single) or 460 (married/common-law)
- Spouse factors: up to 40 points
- Skill transferability: up to 100 points
- Additional points: Provincial nomination (600), valid job offer TEER 0 major group 00 (200) or other TEER 0/1/2/3 (50), Canadian education (15 or 30), French language (up to 50)
Costs (principal applicant):
- Express Entry profile: free to create
- Processing fee: $850 CAD
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515 CAD
- Biometrics: $85 CAD
- Medical examination: $200 to $450 CAD (varies by panel physician)
- Language test (IELTS/CELPIP): $300 to $350 CAD
- Educational Credential Assessment: $200 to $350 CAD
- Total estimated: $2,200 to $2,600 CAD
What should you do?
Step 1: Take an approved language test: IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for English, TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Aim for the highest score possible — language is the single biggest factor in the CRS.
Step 2: Get your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization (WES, IQAS, CES, MCC, or PEBC). This verifies that your foreign degree is equivalent to a Canadian credential. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile in the IRCC online system. Enter your personal information, work experience, education, language scores, and any other details. The system will calculate your CRS score and place you in the pool.
Step 4: Improve your CRS score if needed. Key strategies: retake the language test for higher scores, gain Canadian work experience (CEC eligibility), get a provincial nomination (adds 600 points), obtain a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, or improve your education.
Step 5: If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit your complete permanent residence application. Gather police certificates from every country where you lived for 6+ months since age 18, complete the medical examination with an IRCC-designated panel physician, and compile all supporting documents.
Step 6: After landing as a permanent resident, you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR card. Your PR card is valid for 5 years and must be renewed. To maintain PR status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every 5-year period.
What should you NOT do?
Don't submit inaccurate information in your Express Entry profile. IRCC verifies all claims. If your application is found to contain misrepresentation, you face a 5-year ban from Canada under IRPA section 40 and your application is refused. This includes inflating work experience, fabricating job duties, or misrepresenting language ability.
Don't ignore provincial programs. If your CRS score is below the typical draw cutoff (historically 450 to 520 for general draws), a Provincial Nominee Program nomination adds 600 points and virtually guarantees selection. Research PNP streams in provinces where your skills are in demand.
Don't miss the 60-day ITA deadline. If you receive an Invitation to Apply and fail to submit a complete application within 60 days, the invitation expires and you return to the pool. Have your police certificates, medical exam, and documents ready before or immediately after receiving an ITA.
Don't forget to maintain PR residency obligations. After becoming a PR, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in any 5-year period. Failing to meet this requirement can result in loss of PR status at the next port of entry or when applying to renew your PR card.
Don't pay for Express Entry profile creation services that claim guaranteed results. Creating an Express Entry profile is free on the IRCC website. No consultant or representative can guarantee an ITA — selection is based solely on CRS score and draw cutoffs.
Common Questions
When does permanent residency apply?
This applies when:You want to live and work permanently in CanadaYou have skilled work experience, a job offer, or a provincial nominationYou are a graduate of a Canadian institution with Canadian work experienceYou are an entrepreneur with a qualifying business plan and support from a designated organizationExpress Entry programs:Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): Minimum 1 year of continuous skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in the past 10 years. Must score at least 67/100 on the FSW points grid (age, education, language, work experience, arranged employment, adaptability). Language mi...
What should I do about permanent residency?
Step 1: Take an approved language test: IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for English, TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Aim for the highest score possible — language is the single biggest factor in the CRS.Step 2: Get your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization (WES, IQAS, CES, MCC, or PEBC). This verifies that your foreign degree is equivalent to a Canadian credential. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile in the IRCC online system. Enter your personal information, work experience, education, language scores, and any...
What mistakes should I avoid with permanent residency?
Don't submit inaccurate information in your Express Entry profile. IRCC verifies all claims. If your application is found to contain misrepresentation, you face a 5-year ban from Canada under IRPA section 40 and your application is refused. This includes inflating work experience, fabricating job duties, or misrepresenting language ability.Don't ignore provincial programs. If your CRS score is below the typical draw cutoff (historically 450 to 520 for general draws), a Provincial Nominee Program nomination adds 600 points and virtually guarantees selection. Research PNP streams in provinces wh...
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