Canada PR Visa: Steps to Take Immediately After Approval

CANADA PR VISA

Upon approval of a Canada PR visa, applicants receive pivotal documents, including the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and possibly a Permanent Resident (PR) visa, marking a significant milestone in the journey from aspiring immigrant to Canadian permanent resident. It’s essential for applicants, especially those applying for a Canada PR visa from India, to meticulously check these documents for accuracy and adhere to the stipulated validity period to ensure a smooth transition.

The initial steps post-approval are critical, involving updating contact information, confirming PR status through secure channels, and preparing for arrival in Canada. This guidance is fundamental for new permanent residents, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate through the essentials of settling in Canada, from completing the landing process to leveraging newcomer resources effectively.

Completing Your Landing Process

Upon arriving in Canada as a new permanent resident, the completion of the landing process is a crucial step. Here’s a concise guide to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Update Your Mailing Address:

• If you didn’t provide a Canadian mailing address during your application, use the IRCC’s online address notification tool to update it within 180 days of landing.
• Failing to provide an address within this timeframe will necessitate reapplying for a PR card and incurring a $50 fee.

2. Await Your PR Card:

• After updating your address, the PR card will be mailed to the provided address. This card is essential for proving your status in Canada and for re-entry if you travel outside Canada.

3. Prepare for Your Move:

• Access resources like the “Countdown to Canada” podcast and guides on moving, housing, banking, and healthcare to familiarize yourself with life in Canada.
• Understand the immigration process, including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, to enhance your settlement experience.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to successfully completing your landing process and starting your new life in Canada.

Applying for Your Permanent Resident (PR) Card

Upon receiving your Canada PR visa, applying for your Permanent Resident (PR) Card is a crucial next step. Here’s a streamlined guide to ensure you’re well-prepared:

• Eligibility and Requirements: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for a PR card. You must be a permanent resident, physically present in Canada, comply with the residency obligations, and not be under a removal order or convicted of a PR card misuse offense.
• Application Process:

1. Complete all necessary forms after thoroughly reading the instruction guide.
2. If applying for the first time and did not provide a mailing address within 180 days of immigrating, submit your photo and address to receive your PR card.
3. For renewals, apply before your current card expires. Ideally, submit your renewal application 9 to 6 months before the expiry date.

• Travel Considerations: Remember, a valid PR card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is mandatory for re-entry into Canada via commercial transport. This includes planes, trains, boats, and buses. Should you find yourself outside Canada without a valid PR card, apply for a PRTD through the portal or a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

By adhering to these steps, you’ll ensure your ability to travel in and out of Canada is secured, maintaining your status as a permanent resident.

Understanding the Residency Obligation

To maintain Permanent Resident (PR) status in Canada, understanding and adhering to the residency obligation is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:

• Residency Requirement: PRs must accumulate at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada within the last five years. This does not necessitate continuous presence, offering flexibility to PRs.
• Counting Days Outside Canada: Time spent abroad can count towards the 730-day requirement if:
• Accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner, or a parent if a child.
• Working for a Canadian business or the public service.
• Assessment and Consequences:
• The residency obligation is evaluated during PR card renewal, PRTD application, or Canadian citizenship application.
• Not meeting the obligation doesn’t automatically result in PR status loss. PRs may voluntarily renounce their status or risk losing it due to misrepresentation, especially if they fail to reside in their nominating province.

Understanding these aspects ensures PRs can plan their time in and outside of Canada effectively, safeguarding their status while accommodating life’s unpredictability.

Planning for the Future: Citizenship and Beyond

For permanent residents eyeing the next big milestone of Canadian citizenship, understanding the eligibility criteria and preparation process is paramount. Here’s a concise guide to streamline your journey:

• Eligibility Criteria:

1. Residency: Must have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years.
2. Tax Compliance: Filed taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period before applying.
3. Language Proficiency: Demonstrable knowledge of English or French, equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 4.
4. Citizenship Test: Pass the test covering Canada’s history, values, institutions, and symbols.
5. Oath of Citizenship: Commitment to the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship.

• Preparation for the Citizenship Test:

1. Study Material: Utilize “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship” available in various formats.
2. Practice Tests: Engage in active learning through practice tests and review incorrect answers for better retention.
3. Test Format: Familiarize with the test’s format — 20 questions, multiple-choice or true/false, to be completed in 45 minutes with a passing score of 75%.

Understanding these steps and meeting the prerequisites ensure a smoother transition to Canadian citizenship, allowing individuals to fully embrace the benefits and responsibilities that come with it.

FAQs

How quickly should you relocate to Canada after your visa is approved?

Once your permanent residence application is approved and your entry visa is stamped in your passport, you are required to move to Canada within a year. Upon arrival, you have the option to either wait a few weeks to receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card by mail in Canada or leave the country and arrange for a friend or family member to mail it to you. The wait for the PR card is usually less than a year.

What is the processing duration for a Canadian Permanent Resident visa?

The processing time for a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Visa typically spans 5–8 months following the receipt of the Invitation to Apply (ITA).

What constitutes urgent processing for a Canadian Permanent Resident card?

Urgent processing of a Permanent Resident (PR) card is available if you need to travel within the next three months due to a job opportunity, your own serious illness, or the death of a family member.

What steps should be taken after obtaining Permanent Residency in Canada?

Upon receiving a Canadian permanent resident visa, you are permitted to live, work, or study in Canada for a duration of five years. To fulfill residency obligations, you must reside in Canada for at least 730 days. After meeting this requirement, you can renew your PR visa for another five years.