Myreille Matsika-Lang; Information and Referral Specialist Newcomer Information Centre
Congratulations, you are well on your way to becoming a permanent resident of Canada!
For many, this is the realization of a dream, a chance at new beginnings, and sometimes a painful but necessary separation from one’s country.
This status of landed immigrant comes with conditions and rights that will frame your life in Canada.
As a permanent resident you will enjoy much of the social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage, old age pension and old age security benefits if eligible.
You have the right to live, work (even for the government) or study anywhere in Canada, unless you acquired your permanent status through the Provincial Nominee Program which requires you to live for a set amount of time in the province that nominated you. Failing to do so could lead to prosecution from the province for misrepresentation and jeopardize your permanent resident status.
In any case, leaving the nominating province should ideally be done with written approval from the Province and after getting legal advice (community legal clinics are a great resource).
Talking about law, as a landed immigrant you get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, you must follow and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels and pay taxes (always file your taxes even if you did not get an income, so that you are automatically enrolled to benefits you might be entitled to).
Make sure to renew your permanent resident card every 5 years, as a valid PR card is needed to re-enter Canada upon travel. Some airlines have even denied check in to people with expired cards!
You have worked so hard to get your status, make sure you keep the residency requirements of permanent residence (having lived in Canada for at least 730 days in any five-year period) and other conditions that might apply to your particular case (i.e. refugees). Failing to do so could result in the loss of your PR status. Time outside Canada may count towards residency requirements if you travelled for work for a Canadian company or organization or for the government, or accompanied a spouse or parent who is so employed.
Bear in mind that if need be, you can apply to voluntarily renounce your permanent residence status. Such a decision would not affect other family members who can remain permanent resident as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. To read about examples of situations, please click here.
The journey of a permanent resident often ends with the granting of Canadian Citizenship, which comes with the right to vote in all elections, jury duty and access to high security clearance government jobs closed to permanent residents.
The citizenship ceremony is more often than not felt as an accomplishment after a long journey, a day of exhilaration that opens to new beginnings.
We wish you the best on your journey and remember that newcomer services all around Canada are here to help you along the way!