Being a Permanent Resident of Canada allows you to live, work, study, and have access to social benefits including health care coverage, and protection under Canadian laws. Canadian Permanent Residents have almost the same rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens. Although permanent resident cannot vote or run for public office.

Permanent Residents are citizens of other countries who have been given Permanent Resident status by immigrating to Canada. All Permanent Residents receive a Permanent Resident Card, or “PR card”, as a method of proving their immigration status to authorities, especially after travelling outside Canada.

A Permanent Resident is not a Canadian citizen. Your Permanent Residence is given to you for a period of 5 years and you may apply for Citizenship once you have been in Canada for a period of 3 years. You can either do this or you can extend your Permanent Residence without limit.

MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS YOU WILL HAVE AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT

HEALTH IN CANADA

Canada offers excellent medical health care benefits to its citizens and Permanent Residents. Universal access to publicly funded health services is considered by Canadians as a "fundamental value”. Most medical expenses are covered through the Canadian universal health care program. These expenses include visits to your family doctors, specialist, emergency room, immunizations, yearly exams, and others.

EDUCATION IN CANADA

Canadian Residents have access to world-class free schooling. All children under 18 are entitled to free education in the Canadian public school system, and the Canadian government offers highly subsidized university education.

French and English are Canada’s official languages. Schools in Canada also teach French as a second language. Children of Permanent Residents will have the chance to learn English and French, besides their parents’ language. 

As for Post-Secondary studies, you will be able to apply for scholarships and funding as any Canadian student. Also, tuition for Canadian students is much lower compared to international students.

EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA

In general, Canada brings a lot of opportunities for skilled workers. Aerospace, IT, Tourism, Real Estate, Hospitality, infrastructure, and Automobile manufacturing industries are some examples of industries that provide an abundance of business, investment, and employment opportunities.

As a Permanent Resident, you are allowed to work from the first day you arrive, so we suggest you start getting prepared even before you arrive. You will be adapting to a new style of work and also new ways to apply for jobs. Getting your Linkedin account ready is a good start.

Starting a business is something you can also do as a Permanent Resident, you can get financial assistance through the financing programs for small businesses that the government has in place.

Employment Insurance (EI) provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (for example, due to a shortage of work, seasonal or mass lay-offs) and are available for and able to work, but can't find a job. You can read more about it here.

Through Employment Insurance, you could receive financial assistance of up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $573 a week. These benefits will help you take time away from work to provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.

Canada offers the Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canada Pension Plan. All three of these programs are designed to provide financial support to workers after they reach retirement age, currently age 65.

MATERNITY AND PATERNITY

In Canada, working parents are given time off when a new baby is born or adopted. Women can take up to 12 months of maternity leave and receive 50 to 65% of their normal income. Partially paid parental leave is also available for up to 35 weeks. If by any circumstances, a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident goes unemployed, the social security benefit supports them.

MULTI-CULTURAL LIFE

Canada is a multi-cultural immigration destination. Peace and harmony exist, and foreign people, eager to launch a business at their own endeavor, are assisted. Canadian laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, and other grounds.

Canada is a very popular country among the immigrant population. Canada welcomes people worldwide, who settle and create a great life for themselves and their families. That is why Canada is an extremely diverse nation and offers many advantages in terms of safety and quality of life. In fact, it is considered one of the most multicultural countries in the world, with hundreds of languages spoken throughout the country.

If you are thinking of living in Canada permanently, these are some advantages you should be aware of to make an informed decision.