Want to Change Your Temporary Resident Status to Permanent Resident in Canada? Check Out This Guide

News reports show that the Canadian population grew by a record 1 million in 2022 due to immigrants entering Canada or temporary residents changing their visa status to permanent residence. Canada is also looking forward to welcoming 460,000 new immigrants every year on permanent or temporary resident status. While most people enter Canada to work or visit on a temporary resident visa, if you plan on staying in Canada, immigration consultants recommend changing your immigration status and becoming a permanent resident in Canada.

Unlike temporary residents, permanent residents can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. They’re also eligible to receive social benefits like healthcare coverage. Additionally, permanent residents in Canada are also protected under the Canadian Law. They can also sponsor their family members or relatives and receive free education for their children. Permanent residents can also easily extend or renew their permanent resident status in Canada. People who reside in Canada as permanent residents can also apply for Canadian citizenship after some time.

But how can you become a permanent resident of Canada? This article discusses how to change your temporary resident status to permanent resident in Canada.

Who is Eligible to Be a Permanent Resident of Canada?

Besides meeting the eligibility requirements of your desired pathway, you should also meet the eligibility criteria to be a permanent resident of Canada. Here are some requirements to apply for a permanent resident visa.

● Applicants need to have a valid temporary resident visa in Canada.

● They shouldn’t be inadmissible to Canada or are about to be deported due to any criminal violation. People who have committed human rights violations or are considered a security risk in Canada can’t apply for permanent residence. In this case, applicants have to handle their inadmissibility before applying to be a permanent resident of Canada.

● Temporary resident visa holders should be residing in Canada constantly for a duration of 3 to 5 years, based on the type of their immigration pathway. People who travel back to their country of origin or any other country without getting authorization for re-entry get a break in continuity, which makes them ineligible for permanent residence in Canada.

● Additionally, if their existing temporary residence permit is about to expire and they don’t get it renewed before the expiry, a break in the continuity of residence happens. This can make them ineligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada. When you enter Canada after a break or get a new temporary resident visa after the current one expires, your temporary resident duration will start again. Even when you have the authority to re-enter Canada, leaving the country for too long on your temporary resident status can affect your eligibility for permanent residence.

The Permanent Resident Program — Who Can Apply?

In Canada, the permanent resident program is divided into several streams. Temporary residents in Canada can apply for permanent resident status based on any of these streams. Here are the two classes of permanent residence in Canada and the streams that come under them.

Economic Categories of Becoming a Permanent Resident

The economic categories determine a temporary resident’s economic condition. In this category, the IRCC makes sure that an applicant has enough skills to be financially stable in Canada. Here are some immigration streams that come under the economic category.

● The Canadian Experience Class

● The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

● The Federal Skilled Trades Program

● Provincial Nominees

● The Caregiver Pathway

● The Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway

● The Agri-Food Pilot Program

Additionally, the economic class also considers people who want to invest in Canada, open new businesses or want to care for people with severe medical issues. It’s advisable to hire an immigration lawyer to determine if you’re eligible for any of these economic class pathways to permanent residency.

Non-economic Categories of Becoming a Permanent Resident

However, even people who aren’t eligible for economic categories and don’t have any skills to be economically established in Canada can become permanent residents. These individuals can apply under various humanitarian streams or family or relative sponsorship pathways. Here are some social or family-reunification pathways you can apply for in the non-economic class.

● Refugee Protection

● Family Sponsorship

● Adoption

● Spouse or common-law partner sponsorship

● The permanent residence Pathway for Healthcare Workers

Additionally, other immigrants can also apply for permanent residency in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. An immigration lawyer can help you understand the eligibility criteria for all these pathways and determine which stream you should opt for.

Steps to Apply for the Permanent Residence Status

Once you have ensured that you meet the eligibility requirements for becoming a permanent resident in Canada, you can apply for the process. Follow these steps to become a Canadian permanent resident.

Pick Your Desired Stream

With several available pathways to becoming a permanent resident in Canada, it can be challenging to decide which stream you should opt for. Therefore, it’s advisable to hire an immigration consultant and let them analyze your circumstance and help you decide the ideal stream. Once you have decided on the stream that works best for you, make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements of that stream before moving forward with the application.

Fill Out the Online Form

The IRCC allows temporary residents in Canada to apply for their desired permanent residence pathway through an online portal. You can create an account, sign in, and apply for the permanent resident program. Ensure that you provide correct and complete information so your permanent resident application can be processed without any delay. Additionally, don’t skip any mandatory fields, or you won’t be able to submit your application through the portal. If you have any concerns about this process, it’s advisable to hire an immigration lawyer.

Submit the Required Documents

Based on the immigration pathway you choose, you have to submit some documents alongside the application. In economic streams, the paperwork usually includes your personal information, financial situation details, and employment history. However, if you’re applying for a non-economic pathway, you might have to submit documents to prove that you’re eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian grounds or family sponsorship.

Immigration consultants also recommend submitting the translation of your original documents alongside the application. The translated documents should be in English or French and need to be verified by a certified translator.

Pay the Fees Online

After applicants fill out the application and upload the required documents, the online portal will show them the exact amount they need to pay for the application process. If you’re sponsoring a family member, you’d have to pay the fees for their application also. Individual applicants need to pay biometric fees and the cost of the right to permanent residence in Canada.

You can pay the amount through a credit or debit card. It’s advisable to do it immediately to avoid any delays. Once you have paid the biometrics fee, you need to visit the nearest collection point and get your fingerprints and a picture taken.

Wait for the Application to Be Processed

Once you submit your application, the IRCC will process it and determine if you’re eligible for your desired immigration pathway. They will let you know if your application is accepted or rejected through the online portal.

Want to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada? Get Started with Canadian Immigration Consultants

Applying to change your temporary resident status to permanent resident status can be an extensive and complex process as you have to handle several legal aspects while applying to be a permanent resident of Canada. Therefore, it’s advisable to hire an immigration lawyer and let them help you navigate the process. Nanda & Associate Lawyers is one of the leading law firms in Mississauga, Toronto, and Brampton. They have a team of highly-experienced immigration lawyers who can help you become a Canadian permanent resident.

These immigration consultants have in-depth knowledge of various immigration streams and can introduce you to some of the options to become a permanent resident of Canada, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian spousal sponsorship, and the new pathway to permanent residency. Additionally, these immigration lawyers also provide legal guidance to people who want to enter Canada on a temporary resident visa. Their immigration lawyers can also help permanent residents in Canada apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting all the requirements.

Besides helping immigrants become permanent residents in Canada, Nanda & Associate Lawyers also provides family law services, allowing couples to receive legal advice to draft prenuptial agreements, get divorced, and handle child custody, marital property division, alimony, and child support cases. Their personal injury lawyers help people in applying for long-term disability benefits or financial compensation after getting injured in an accident. Additionally, their business lawyers help companies handle legal issues effectively, and their estate lawyers guide individuals about estate planning processes. Their commercial real estate lawyers in Ontario are responsible for commercial real estate transactions.

Book an appointment with their immigration lawyers today and become a permanent resident of Canada in no time!

 

Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.