A residence permit is a legal document that allows you to live in Canada for a set time if you are not a Canadian citizen. This document comes in handy when you want to relocate to Canada for work or educational purposes. It allows you to live and work freely without restrictions within Canada’s airspace.
Types of Resident Permits Available
There are two categories of residence permits in Canada. These are the temporary and permanent residence permits:
A temporary residence permit is a seasonal document that allows you to stay in Canada for a specific period. This permit has an expiration date, so you must reapply for a new one if the current one is about to expire and you have not completed your stay’s mission.
On the other hand, a permanent residence permit is a lifelong document given to immigrants that allows them to live in Canada permanently. You have to carry this document with you when leaving Canada to avoid being denied re-entry when you want to come back.
However, this document does not provide you with citizenship status.
When and How You Can Apply For a Permanent Residence
You can apply for a permanent residence permit any time of the year, whether you receive an express entry invitation or are already a temporary resident.
Your nature of business in Canada determines the kind of permit you apply for. Nevertheless, you can apply for a residence permit if you:
- Want to travel in the country;
- Have work obligations in Canada;
- Are a student who wants to move to Canada for higher education;
- Are a refugee seeking to resettle in Canada;
- Have a temporary residence status and want to upgrade it to a permanent one.
Requirements and Documentation Needed
Depending on the residence permit you want, you provide varying documents and requirements to achieve your status. For a temporary permit, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Date, complete, and sign an application for a temporary resident visa (IMM5257);
- Give out family information;
- Statutory declaration of common law union (IMM 5409);
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476);
- Authority to release personal information to a particular individual (IMM 5475);
- Pay the application fees;
- A passport;
- Employment letter;
- Invitation letter from the educational institution you will attend;
- A letter of authorization for minors (signed by both parents if travelling with a guardian or signed by one parent if they are travelling with a parent).
For a permanent residence permit, you should submit the following:
- Language test results;
- A passport (from your country);
- Provincial nomination;
- Employment letter;
- Proof of funds;
- Police certificates;
- Medical exams;
- Birth certificate;
- Use of a representative form;
- Common law union form;
- Marriage, divorce, death, and adoption certificates, where applicable;
- Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada;
- Digital photos;
- Other names to confirm aliases;
- An application profile.
Where and How to Apply for a Canadian Residence Permit
This service is available online and in person in the immigration offices. If you need a temporary permit, you should visit the immigration department’s online website to commence your application process. You can apply online or in person for a permanent residence, depending on your preferences.
You can apply for these documents in and out of Canada, depending on your situation. However, applying for them in your home country is more convenient since it allows you to enjoy a smooth transition once you get to Canada.
You can monitor your application’s status, but not the progress online after the application. Progress monitoring is not available at the moment until further notice.
Cost, Validity, and Processing Time
It costs $200 per person to process a temporary residence permit. As for permanent residence permits, the price varies depending on the reason for your application. This document could cost anything between $515 – $2140.Processing times also vary depending on your variables; however, the immigration office offers a calculation tool that allows you to gauge how long it will take to process your application.
