Permanent Resident Visa

Once an application is submitted and approved and the foreign national obtains their Canada permanent resident visa, they can immigrate to Canada and will have many of the same rights as Canadian citizens. Canada permanent residents are entitled to healthcare, establish their residence and work in any Canadian province, protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to apply for Canadian citizenship once the requirements have been met.

In effect, the only difference between a Canada permanent resident and a Canadian citizen is the right to hold public office, join the military and vote. Becoming a Canada permanent resident is a privilege, which can be withdrawn if the individual is convicted of a serious offence and as a result is deported.

Another way in which a Canada permanent resident can lose their status is by failing to meet their residency obligation. A Canada permanent resident is required to spend two years of every five year period in Canada. If, at a port of entry or at a Canadian visa office an officer is concerned that a Canada permanent resident has not fulfilled their residency obligation, they can count back five years to verify that the Canada permanent resident spent at least 730 days in Canada.