How to Apply for Canada Permanent Residency Online – Lower Fees and Full Details

Thinking about applying for Canada Permanent Residency (PR)? You may have questions about the process, costs, and the latest updates in immigration rules. The good news is that Canada has a clear path to becoming a permanent resident, and it’s even easier now with lower fees for permits. No matter if you are a skilled worker, starting a business, or hoping to bring your family together, this guide will help you along the way.

In this article, we’ll look at how to apply for Canada PR, what the costs are, who is eligible, and some helpful tips for a successful application. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a better idea of how to reach your goal of living in Canada.

How to Apply for Canada Permanent Residency Online?

The process of applying for Canada PR can seem complex, but with the right support, it can be quite simple. You need to know if you qualify, how to submit your application, and take advantage of the lower fees. Whether you choose Express Entry, family sponsorship, or business immigration, Canada offers plenty of options for you to call this country your home.

What Is Canada Permanent Residency?

If you become a Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada, you can live, work, or study anywhere in the country for as long as you want. Being a PR comes with benefits like access to healthcare, legal protection, and the chance to apply for Canadian citizenship after a few years. Although PR holders aren’t Canadian citizens, they enjoy a lot of the same rights and freedoms, with one key difference: PRs aren’t allowed to vote in federal or provincial elections.

Different Ways to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada

There are many ways to gain permanent residency in Canada, and each program is tailored to different people. Here are some of the most common options:

Express Entry Program

The Express Entry system is the go-to route for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. It oversees three main programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For those with work experience from outside Canada.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with at least a year of Canadian work experience.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople who have job offers in Canada.

This system ranks candidates using a points-based system that takes into account skills, age, education, language ability, and work experience.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

With the Provincial Nominee Program, provinces and territories in Canada can nominate individuals based on what their local job markets need. This is a great option for those who might not meet the criteria for Express Entry but have job offers or skills that are in demand in certain areas.

Family Sponsorship

If you have a family member who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, they can support your application for PR. This program is mainly for spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, and dependent children.

Business Immigration

For those looking to start a business, invest, or work for themselves, Canada’s Business Immigration programs can lead to PR. These programs are meant to bring in people who will help strengthen Canada’s economy by launching businesses or making investments.

Steps to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada

Get Your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Before you can apply for permanent residency, the first step is to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Canada’s Express Entry system or another immigration option. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Requirements: You need to qualify for one of the federal economic immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
• Express Entry Profile: Set up your Express Entry profile to join the candidate pool. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will decide your position in this pool.
• ITA Timeframe: Once you have your ITA, remember it’s only good for 60 days. So, it’s important to get started on your application right away.

Complete the Application Form

Once you have your ITA, sign in to your secure account with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to fill out your application.

• Getting to Your Application: Log in to your IRCC account and click on “Continue my profile/application” in the “permanent residency” section.
• Previous Applications: The form will inquire if you have applied to IRCC before. This means any full applications such as visas or work permits, not just having an Express Entry profile.
• Be Accurate: Make sure all your information is correct and current. Any mistakes could slow things down or even lead to a denial.

Collect Necessary Documents

After filling out the online form, you’ll get a tailored list of documents you’ll need based on your situation. Here are some documents that are often required:

• Identification proof (like a passport)
• Assessment of your educational credentials
• Results from a language test
• Certificates of police clearance
• Evidence of financial resources
• Results from a medical exam
• Job offer letter (if you have one)

Make sure to scan all documents clearly and upload them in the formats that IRCC accepts.

Paying Application Fees

In Canada, the fees for applying for permanent residency change based on the program you choose. If you’re looking at economic immigration programs such as Express Entry, here’s a quick overview:

• For the main applicant, the fee is $850 CAD.
• There’s also a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) of $515 CAD.
• If you are including a spouse or common-law partner, the total cost is $850 CAD plus the RPRF fee of $515 CAD.
• For each dependent child, the fee is $230 CAD.

Make sure to pay these fees online through the secure payment portal provided by IRCC, using a credit card or another accepted payment method.

Submit Your Application

When you’ve filled out all the forms and uploaded your documents, take a moment to look everything over before you hit submit:

• Make sure your personal information, like your name, birth date, and address, is correct.
• Check that you’ve uploaded all the necessary documents properly.
• If there are any unpaid fees, make sure to take care of those.

Once you submit your application, you’ll get a confirmation from IRCC that they have received it.

Check Your Application Status

Once you’ve submitted your PR application online:

• Keep an eye on your IRCC account for updates about how things are going with your application.
• If immigration officers ask for more documents or clarification, be sure to respond quickly.
• The time it takes to process applications can differ based on things like the program and the number of applicants, but Express Entry applications usually take about six months to a year.

Ways to Reduce Fees

Even though IRCC sets the application fees for PR, there are some ways applicants can cut costs:

• First, make sure all your documents are complete and meet the requirements. This can help you avoid extra expenses from rejections or delays.
• If you are applying with family members, check that they qualify as dependents under Canadian immigration rules. This way, you might benefit from group fee limits if applicable.
• Lastly, take advantage of free help from provincial nominee programs or settlement organizations instead of spending money on costly consultants unless it’s really needed.

What Happens If You Decline or Miss Your ITA?

If you decide to decline an ITA:

• You can go back into the Express Entry pool for upcoming draws, as long as you still meet the requirements.
• Saying no won’t hurt your chances for future invites, but keep in mind that there’s no promise you’ll receive another invitation since the CRS cut-off scores can change.

If you forget to apply within 60 days:

• Your ITA will automatically expire.
• If you still want to pursue immigration through this route, you’ll need to set up a new Express Entry profile.

Frequently Asked Questions