A Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada is a person who has been granted the right to live in Canada indefinitely by immigration authorities, but they are not a Canadian citizen. They are citizens of other countries who have chosen to immigrate to Canada. Permanent residents have several rights, like most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage. They can live, work or study anywhere in Canada and apply for Canadian citizenship.
On the other hand, there are a few restrictions for PRs. They cannot vote or run for political office, and they are not allowed to hold certain jobs requiring high-level security clearance.
When travelling outside of Canada, PRs are required to present their PR card or a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when returning to Canada on a commercial vehicle such as an airplane, boat, train or bus. If a PR card expires or if it's not with you while you are travelling, you may have to apply for a PRTD before returning to Canada. However, it's important to note that the expiration of a PR card does not mean you lose your permanent resident status.
How long can you stay out of Canada if you are a permanent resident?
To maintain PR status, you need to live in Canada for at least 730 days in the last five years. This period doesn't need to be a continuous stay. In some cases, time spent outside of Canada may count towards these 730 days.
You can lose your PR status only through an official process. This can occur if an adjudicator determines you're no longer a PR, you willingly give up your PR status, a removal order is made against you, or if you become a Canadian citizen.
If you think you haven't fulfilled your residency obligations, you can choose to give up your PR status voluntarily. This could be done to avoid processing delays when entering Canada, or if you wish to visit Canada and don't want to wait for a formal assessment of your PR status.
Here are the key points highlighted:
- Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada: A person who has been granted the right to live in Canada indefinitely, but they are not a Canadian citizen.
- Rights of PRs: They receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens get, including health care coverage. They can live, work or study anywhere in Canada and apply for Canadian citizenship.
- Restrictions for PRs: They cannot vote or run for political office and are not allowed to hold certain jobs requiring high-level security clearance.
- PR Card or PRTD: PRs must present their PR card or a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when returning to Canada on a commercial vehicle.
- Expiration of PR card: The expiration of a PR card does not mean the loss of PR status.
- Residency Obligation: To maintain PR status, one needs to live in Canada for at least 730 days in the last five years.
- Losing PR Status: PR status can be lost through an official process such as an adjudicator's decision, voluntary renunciation, a removal order, or upon becoming a Canadian citizen.
- Voluntary Renunciation: PRs can choose to give up their status voluntarily, possibly to avoid processing delays when entering Canada or to visit Canada without waiting for a formal assessment of their PR status.
- Respecting Laws: As a PR, one must respect all Canadian laws at federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
Remember, as a permanent resident, it's your responsibility to renew your PR card before it expires, especially if you plan to travel outside Canada. Losing your PR card does not mean losing your PR status, and the card is required for travelling back to Canada on a commercial vehicle.
While in Canada, as a PR, you must respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the residency obligations to keep your PR status.
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