5 BENEFITS OF BEING A PERMANENT RESIDENT IN CANADA

21 May, 2020

5 BENEFITS OF BEING A PERMANENT RESIDENT IN CANADA

You might have come to Canada initially as a tourist, or as an exchange student, but now you have the dream of immigrating to Canada. It is no surprise, as there are several reasons to choose Canada as your new home. Known for a population that is receptive to immigrants, quality of education, a high level of safety and quality of life, Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for those who want to immigrate. In 2019 alone, Canada had more than 313,000 immigrants in its population, an increase of 13% if compared to 2017.

If you want to be a part of this statistic, read on to understand the 5 Benefits of being a permanent resident in Canada.

And if you want to know YOUR immigration profile to Canada, take our FREE assessment!

What is permanent residency?

Let’s start with the basics: Being a permanent resident in Canada is nothing more than having immigrant status in the country, and that means having almost all of the same rights that a Canadian Citizen has, other than the right to vote and a Canadian passport.

There are several ways to immigrate to Canada, the most common being Express Entry, a points system that takes into account factors such as age, language proficiency, level of education, among others. To understand more about this way to immigrate to Canada, check out our video about Express Entry in 2020.

The 5 Benefits of being a permanent resident in Canada

1. Permission to live and work anywhere in Canada

Maybe you were sure you wanted to live in Calgary, but visited Vancouver for a while and changed your mind? Or perhaps you were living in Montreal but got a job offer in Toronto? If you are a permanent resident in Canada, no one can stop you from moving provinces – in this case, your status is not linked to a specific employer or province.

2. Access to Canada’s health care and social services

healthcare

Canada’s healthcare system is known for its quality and efficiency. Canadian free healthcare is a staple of the Canadian way of life – a great one!

Each province in Canada has its own public health system with its own rules, but one thing is certain: as a permanent resident, you are entitled to medical care in Canada.

If you need any Canadian government benefits and social assistance, you also have the right to apply for it, just like any Canadian citizen.

3. The possibility of sponsoring of family members to live in Canada.

There is no way around it: we all get homesick, we miss having our family close by. As a permanent resident in Canada, you can bring your immediate family members like spouse, parent and dependent child to live in Canada with you through a process called sponsorship.

Another very valid option if you want to bring your family to live in Canada, is to include them in your Express Entry application from the beginning, so everyone can start a new life in Canada together!

4. You have the chance to become a Canadian citizen

The next step after getting a permanent residency in Canada is to become a citizen! In order for you to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have spent three of the past five years in Canadian territory. If you want to know more about becoming a Canadian citizen, talk to one of our immigration consultants.

5. No one can take your permanent residency away from you

Canadian permanent resident status cannot be revoked, as long as you meet the requirements and follow the country’s laws. Thus, you will only lose your permanent residence in Canada if you commit a serious crime or if you do not stay at least 2 years in the country within a period of 5 years.

Your permanent resident status is not canceled upon expiration: If you have complied with the above rules, you are eligible for renewal of status.

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