Canada’s permanent resident status is a highly sought-after option for foreign nationals seeking education or employment in the country.
If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada permanently. Canada offers various permanent resident categories, including the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Provincial Nominee Program. Some require Canadian work experience.
Express Entry Pool
However, an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence is not guaranteed based on your score and rank in the Express Entry pool.
A permanent resident (PR) is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. However, you are not a PR if you are only in Canada for a short time, for example, as a student or foreign worker.
Once you get the PR card, it proves that you have PR status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada and return, you must show your PR card and your passport to the officials.
In case you have travelled outside Canada without a valid PR card with you, you can apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before returning to Canada.
Permanent residents (PRs) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada.
How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status?
To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days do not need to be continuous. Some of your time abroad may count towards the 730 days.
It depends on what you do and who you travel with. Your time outside of Canada may count toward your permanent resident status if you meet 1 of these conditions:
If you work outside Canada, you need to work full-time for a Canadian business or organization, or the Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government.
If you are travelling with a spouse or common-law partner, your spouse or common-law partner needs to be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident working outside Canada, full-time for a Canadian business, or the Canadian government.
If you are a dependent child and travel with your parent, your parent needs to be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident working outside Canada, full-time for a Canadian business or the Canadian government.
Thereafter, you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship if you are a permanent resident of Canada and, regardless of your age, you have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five years right before the date you sign your application and meet all other conditions.