Rights of Permanent Residents
As a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR), one can enjoy the following rights & privileges :
- Remain in Canada indefinitely
- You can retain your PR status indefinitely as long as you stay in Canada for 2 years in each 5-year period
- Live, work or study anywhere in Canada
- Study in Canada and avoid international student tuition fees
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Travel to & from Canada as many times as you want. You only need to travel with your PR Card & passport. If you do not have a PR Card, you must apply for a “Permanent Resident Travel Document”
- Get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage
- Get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Apply for Canada citizenship, if eligible
If you hold a permanent visa but are not residing in Canada, your eligibility for the above rights & privileges may be impacted.
A Canadian Permanent Resident cannot –
- Have a Canadian passport. You will continue to be the citizen of your current passport
- Vote in Canadian government elections
- Run for Canadian political office
- Hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance
- Expect not to be deported if they commit a serious crime, unlike citizens who will not be deported
