Permanent Residence
What permanent residents can do
As a permanent resident, you have the right to:
As a permanent resident, you have the right to:
- get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, a social insurance number to work in Canada, and health care coverage
- live, work or study anywhere in Canada
- apply for Canadian citizenship
- protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
A permanent resident (PR) is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. PRs are usually citizens of other countries, while some may be stateless persons.
Your PR card proves that you have PR status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada and return on a commercial vehicle (like an airplane, boat, train or bus), you must show:
- your PR card and
- your passport or refugee travel document
What permanent residents cannot do
You are not allowed to:
- vote or run for political office,
- hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.
Voluntarily giving up (renouncing) permanent resident status
IRCC won’t change your PR status automatically and will always inform you of the change.
In some cases, you may decide you don’t want to be a PR of Canada anymore. For example, you may want to renounce your PR status in the following situations:
- You have not met your residency obligations by being outside of Canada for a long period of time.
- You plan to visit Canada and want to avoid the processing delays from a formal assessment of your PR status when you arrive.
In these cases, you may not be able to enter Canada until your PR status is resolved either by applying for a PRTD or by voluntarily giving up (renouncing) your PR status.
Time Lived in Canada
To keep your PR status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need.
Losing your permanent resident status
Losing your permanent resident status
You won’t lose your PR status when your PR card expires. You will only lose your PR status if:
- an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal
- you voluntarily renounce your PR status
- a removal order made against you comes into force
- you become a Canadian citizen