Independent advisory firm — not a government agency. Permanent residence is decided only by IRCC. Updated 28 October 2026.
Overview: Canadian Permanent Residency Explained
A permanent resident (PR) is a person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently but is not a Canadian citizen. PR holders can live, work and study anywhere in Canada, are protected by Canadian law and the Charter, and can apply for provincial health coverage. They may sponsor eligible family members and, after meeting residence requirements, apply for citizenship.
PR status comes with limits. PR holders cannot vote or run for office, cannot hold a Canadian passport, and must meet a residency obligation of at least 730 days in Canada in every five-year period to keep their status. Most people become PRs through the economic programs (Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs), family sponsorship or humanitarian programs.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets about 380,000 new permanent residents a year, with the economic class the largest share. The 2027–2029 plan is due around 1 November 2026, so check for updates.
Canada Permanent Residency Pathways
Explore the main routes to Canadian permanent residence. We help you assess which pathway may fit your profile and prepare a complete, accurate application.
What Canadian Permanent Residency Offers
An overview of the rights that come with PR status, as set out by the Government of Canada.
Permanent Residency Status
Live, work and study anywhere in Canada, subject to meeting the residency obligation.
Public Healthcare Access
Eligibility for provincial health insurance, subject to each province's waiting period and rules.
Education
Children can attend public schools. Post-secondary education is not free, although PR holders pay domestic rather than international tuition rates.
Social Benefits
Access to programs such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Employment Insurance, subject to eligibility and contributions.
Family Sponsorship
PR holders may sponsor eligible spouses, partners and children, and parents and grandparents subject to program intake and income rules.
A Pathway to Citizenship
After 1,095 days of physical presence in the five years before applying, and meeting other requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Express Entry Programs
To be placed in the Express Entry pool, you must meet the minimum criteria of at least one of the three federal programs, and then be ranked by CRS score.
| Program | Work experience | Language | Education and other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) | At least 1 year continuous full-time skilled work (TEER 0–3) in the last 10 years | At least CLB 7 | Assessed education credential for foreign study; 67 out of 100 on the selection grid; proof of funds unless you have a valid job offer and can work in Canada |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | At least 12 months skilled Canadian work in the last 3 years, while authorised to work | CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1; CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 | No education or proof-of-funds requirement |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) | At least 2 years in a skilled trade in the last 5 years | CLB 5 speaking and listening; CLB 4 reading and writing | Valid job offer of at least a year or a certificate of qualification; proof of funds usually applies |
Requirements common to all applicants
- •Admissibility: meeting health and security requirements, with a medical exam and police certificates.
- •Language: an approved test result less than two years old (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada or TCF Canada).
- •Education: an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education, generally valid for five years.
- •Funds: proof of funds for FSWP and FSTP applicants, unless exempt. The amount rises with family size and changes each year (around CAD 15,000 for a single applicant).
- •Age: no maximum age, but CRS age points peak at 20–29 and fall to zero at 45.
Funds and CLB levels change. Confirm the current figures on canada.ca.
How the Express Entry Process Works
A general step-by-step overview. Your sequence may vary, and none of the timelines are guaranteed.
Step 1 — Eligibility assessment and CRS estimate
Check which program fits you and estimate your CRS score.
Step 2 — Language test
Take an approved English or French test. Results are valid for two years.
Step 3 — Educational Credential Assessment
If you studied outside Canada, obtain an ECA from a designated organisation.
Step 4 — Create your Express Entry profile
Submit your profile to the pool. It stays valid for 12 months. You may also pursue a provincial nomination or a high-wage job offer.
Step 5 — Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your score is high enough in a round, you receive an ITA and have 60 days to submit a complete application.
Step 6 — Submit the PR application
Upload documents, pay the fees, and provide medical exams, police certificates and biometrics.
Step 7 — Decision, Confirmation of PR and landing
If approved, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and must land in Canada before it expires. Your PR card is then mailed.
If you take the PNP route
- •Apply to a province or territory under a stream that matches your profile.
- •If nominated through an Express Entry stream, your CRS score receives 600 points and you are invited to apply.
- •If nominated through a base stream, you apply to IRCC on paper or online outside Express Entry.
What Is the CRS and How Are Points Calculated?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based score IRCC uses to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. It is scored out of 1,200.
In each round, IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates, or the highest-ranking candidates within a category such as French-language proficiency, healthcare or trades. The CRS score is not the same as the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid, which is scored out of 100.
Core human-capital factors
500 (single) or 460 (with partner): age, education, language ability and Canadian work experience.
Spouse or partner factors
Partner's education, language and Canadian work experience.
Skill transferability
Combinations of education and language, or of foreign work experience and language or Canadian experience.
Additional points
A provincial nomination (600), Canadian study, French-language ability and a sibling in Canada.
Total: 1,200 points
New from 3 November 2026 (announced 16 October 2026)
- •Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation: reported at 20, 40 or 70 points for at least 12 months of eligible experience, depending on whether the occupation's wage is at least 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the Canada-wide median.
- •A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation: reported at 50, 70 or 100 points on the same tiers, with no LMIA required.
- •Invitations pause for up to two weeks while scores are recalculated. Candidates with a high-wage job offer must add the details to their profile themselves.
- •Job-offer points were removed from the CRS in March 2025, so this is a partial return, limited to occupations on IRCC's high-wage list.
Point values and the high-wage occupation list are as reported at announcement. Confirm both on canada.ca.
Ways candidates commonly improve a CRS score
- •Retaking a language test to reach a higher CLB level.
- •Adding French-language ability.
- •Completing an ECA and updating education points.
- •Gaining Canadian work experience or study.
- •Obtaining a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points.
- •Improving a partner's language or education scores.
Is there a minimum CRS score?
There is no single minimum or cut-off. Cut-offs change with every round and differ widely between general and category-based rounds. Check IRCC’s rounds of invitations page for current results.
Eligibility to Maintain and Renew Your PR Status
- Residency obligation — You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every rolling five-year period.
- Time abroad that can count — Days accompanying a Canadian-citizen spouse or parent, or working abroad full-time for a Canadian business or government, may count.
- PR card — The card is proof of status, generally valid for five years. Your status does not end when the card expires.
- Travel — You need a valid PR card or a PR travel document to board a commercial flight to Canada.
- Renewal eligibility — You must still be a PR, not be under a removal order, and be able to show you meet the residency obligation. The renewal fee is currently CAD 50.
- If you fall short — An officer can decide you have lost status, but you generally have the right to appeal and humanitarian factors can be considered. Seek advice before you respond.
Check your days in Canada before you plan long trips abroad.
When Can a Permanent Resident Apply for Citizenship?
- Status — You must be a PR and not be under review for fraud or a removal order.
- Physical presence — At least 1,095 days in Canada in the five years before you apply. Some time spent in Canada before becoming a PR may count; use IRCC's calculator.
- Taxes — File income taxes for at least three of the last five years, if required.
- Language — Show basic ability in English or French (CLB 4) if you are 18 to 54.
- Citizenship test — Pass the knowledge test if you are 18 to 54.
- Prohibitions — Certain criminal charges or convictions can make you ineligible.
- Fees and oath — Pay the processing fee and the right of citizenship fee (reported at CAD 123 from 31 March 2026), and take the citizenship oath.
- Dual citizenship — Canada allows it, but your other country may not.
Canada PR: What Changed in 2026
Confirmed
- •High-wage CRS points: start 3 November 2026, with no LMIA required for the new job-offer points.
- •Consultation report: IRCC published the final report on its 2026 Express Entry consultations on 15 October 2026.
- •Higher PR fees from 30 April 2026: about CAD 990 for the principal applicant and CAD 600 for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, about CAD 270 for a child, and CAD 50 for a PR card.
- •Right of citizenship fee: reported at CAD 123 from 31 March 2026.
- •Levels plan: about 380,000 new permanent residents a year in 2026–2028.
Proposed — not yet in force
- •A merger of the three federal Express Entry programs into one stream, which needs regulatory change and is expected to take 12 to 18 months.
- •Other consultation ideas, such as changes to bonus points for a sibling, French or Canadian study, are not confirmed.
Monitor
- •The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, due around 1 November 2026.
- •IRCC's rounds of invitations and category lists.
- •Provincial nominee program intake and criteria.
Fee amounts and point values are as reported from IRCC announcements. Confirm each on canada.ca before applying.
Typical Government Costs for Canada PR (2026)
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Principal applicant processing fee (economic) | About CAD 990 | From 30 April 2026; a spouse pays the same. |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | CAD 600 | Principal applicant and spouse; refunded if the application is refused. |
| Dependent child | About CAD 270 | No Right of Permanent Residence Fee for children. |
| Biometrics | Varies | Per person; confirm the current fee. |
| Language test, ECA, medical exam, police certificates | Varies | Paid to the providers. |
| PR card renewal | CAD 50 | Government fee. |
| Right of citizenship fee | About CAD 123 | Plus the citizenship processing fee; confirm on IRCC. |
Fees are set by the Government of Canada and change from time to time. Confirm current amounts on canada.ca before applying.
Canada PR — Frequently Asked Questions
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Get a free eligibility assessment from our Dubai-based advisors. We review your language, education, experience and CRS estimate, and explain which pathways may fit your profile. No obligation.
Immigration regulations, eligibility criteria, CRS points, language requirements, proof-of-funds thresholds, fees and processing times are set by the Government of Canada and are subject to change without notice. Applicants should always verify the latest requirements with IRCC at canada.ca before submitting any application.
Visatrix Global Services – FZCO is an independent advisory firm licensed in the UAE. We are not IRCC, the Government of Canada or any government body, and we do not guarantee invitations, CRS outcomes, visa approval or processing times. Government fees are paid directly to IRCC; payments to Visatrix are for advisory services only.