Canada has been one of the most attractive places for immigrants to settle down. It has one of the highest ratios of immigrants to locals ratio and it’s expected from a country that’s hosting almost 300,000 thousand immigrants every year.
Naturally, one of the main priorities for any immigrant hoping to settle down in Canada is to get a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card). That’s due to the numerous benefits you can get from that, for example, you get all the social and medical benefits, the ability to work and study in the country, and most importantly a chance to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Getting that PR card isn’t an easy process, and it requires patience and a lot of time and energy. You have to make constant visits to the immigration offices, find necessary documentation, and do a lot of research on it. Most times, it’s always best to hire an immigration consultant that can make your life a lot easier. However, if you’re looking to learn about the whole process then here is a guide to explain you.
Check Your Eligibility
One of the first things you need to know before you apply for a Canadian PR Card is to find out whether you’re eligible for it or not. The Canadian government has strict guidelines that clearly state that if you lie in any of the categories, you won’t be eligible. Those categories are as followed:
- To get a PR Card, you must be a permanent resident of Canada.
- You can apply remotely so you must be living in Canada.
- You must have been present in Canada for at least 730 days in the past five years (These are minimum residency requirements).
- You cannot be a Canadian national.
- There should be no active deportation order against you.
- There should be no criminal charges against you.
Collect Documents
Once you’ve confirmed that you’re eligible to get a PR Card, you need to start collecting all the required documents. Allocate a lot of your time to this process because the government needs extensive details about you and the more details you provide them, the better it is for you.
In most cases, if you’re renewing or replacing a PR card, you will need to send them the old one along with the documents. The process can get complex so you can even hire an immigration lawyer to help you collect these documents. Here’s a detailed overview of the documents you’re going to need.
Identity Document
Your proof of identity is a must when applying for the PR Card. A travel document or a passport is perfect for this. Additionally, you can add, a certificate of identity that a minister of immigration must have given you along with the immigration stamped paper of your passport when you entered the country (photocopy).
Photos
The photos are just as important for the PR Card. Your photos need to be high quality and your face must be clearly visible. You need two photos in an envelope without paperclips or staples and write your name on the envelope.
Additionally, if you’re not 18 yet, you need to have other documents which include your birth certificate along with documentation given by the Canadian Court regarding your legal guardian.
Furthermore, you will also have to provide details of your school record which include transcripts, report cards, and attendance records. Most importantly, all your documents must be in English or French and if not then translated by authorized translators.
Fill the Application
You need to be very careful about the application part of the PR Card. If you end up making mistakes on it then there’s a high chance that the application can be returned and in some cases may be rejected.
At the start of the application form, you’ll be asked the date at which you were made a permanent resident, whether applying for renewal or a new card, and in what language would you prefer to have an interview. After that, the application is divided into multiple sections that are as followed:
Personal Details: The first section is going to contain your personal details like name, gender, date of birth, height, address, marital status, and country of origin. If you have multiple nationalities then you’ll need to mention that as well.
Immigration History: The second section will have questions regarding your immigration history which includes the port of entry and the city you were made a permanent resident in.
Personal History: This section will consider things such as your educational and work history. Furthermore, you’ll also have to mention all your travel history from the past 5 years since you became a permanent resident of the country.
Consent Sections: There are multiple different consent sections that you will have to confirm which will confirm that you’re over 14, you were present in the country to meet the minimum residency obligations and everything you mentioned is true to your knowledge.
Payment and Mailing
Once you’ve filled out the whole application, you must pay the fee for the card. PR Card payment is only $50. However, if you’re going to need biometrics then you must pay $85. After that, you’ll have to print out the application form and ship it to the mentioned address in an envelope. After you wait for your application to be processed and approved. This will be followed by details about when you can pick your PR Card.
This whole process of getting a PR Card can be simplified if you hire an immigration lawyer. Nanda & Associate Lawyers is one of the best immigration law firms in the country with professionals with detailed knowledge of the whole process. They can help you make a strong application that will be approved.
Along with PR Card consultancy, they also help students who want to study in Canada by assisting them in their student visa procedures. So, contact them and find out about their wide range of legal services.
