A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries.
Here are some of the things Canadian Permanent Resident Card holders should remember.
- Permanent resident cards or PR cards are proof that you are a resident of Canada. If ever you exit the country, the card will be needed in order to re-enter Canada on a commercial vehicle like airplane, boat, train or bus. If permanent resident do not have a PR card or are not carrying a PR card when travelling outside the country, a Permanent Resident Travel Document may be acquired before returning to Canada via airplane to comply with the eTA requirements. The expiry of the PR card does not revoke permanent resident status.
2. As a Permanent resident, PR card holders are eligible for most social benefits that Canadian citizens can receive, including health care coverage. They are allowed to live, work and/or study anywhere in Canada and are allowed to apply for a Canadian Citizenship. They are also under the protection of Canadian Law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and are required to pay Canadian taxes and respect Canadian laws at federal, provincial and municipal levels.
3. However permanent residents are not allowed to run for political office or hold high-level security clearance jobs.
Permanent residents can live outside of Canada but must live in Canada for at least two (2) years in a five (5) year period or risk losing their permanent resident status. Even though they are not eligible to return to Canada as permanent residents, their permanent resident status is not automatically lost but must run through an official process and due decision.
4. They may lose their permanent status if and adjudicator determines you are no longer a permanent resident following an inquiry or if a visa officer determines you do not meet the required residency when you apply for a permanent resident travel document or temporary resident travel document. Other than not living in Canada for two out of five years, you may also lose your permanent resident status if you are convicted of a serious crime and deported from Canada or if you become a Canadian citizen. You do not lose your permanent resident status if your PR card expires.
5. You may also renounce permanent resident status or to voluntarily give it up. If you would like to avoid processing delays at the Port of Entry or if you know you have not met your residency obligations, would like to visit Canada and don’t want to wait for a visa officer to do a formal assessment of your permanent resident status, you may voluntarily give up your permanent resident status.
