Permanent resident program
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This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada facilitates the entry of permanent residents in a way that maximizes their economic, social and cultural contribution to Canada, while at the same time protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians.
Economic classes
- Federal skilled workers
- Quebec skilled workers
- Provincial nominees
- Entrepreneurs and self-employed persons
- Canadian experience class
- Federal skilled trades class
- Investors
- Start-up business class
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children and caring for people with high medical needs classes
- Interim Pathway for Caregivers
- Live-in Caregiver Program
- Immigrant Investor Venture Capital class
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (closed on March 5, 2022)
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program
- Agri-Food Pilot Program
- Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
Non-economic classes
- Members of the family class
- Adoptions
- Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
- Humanitarian and compassionate consideration
- Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
- Temporary public policy to further facilitate access to permanent resident status for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area
- Pathway to permanent residence: In-Canada families of Canadian victims of recent air disasters
- Pathway to permanent residence: Outside-of-Canada families of Canadian victims of air disasters
- Health care workers permanent residence pathway: COVID-19 program delivery
- Protected persons
- Temporary resident permit holders
- Overseas processing of family members of in-Canada applicants for permanent residence
- Pathway to permanent residence: Family reunification for Ukrainian nationals
- Pathway to permanent residence: Foreign nationals who were in state care
Permanent resident card and permanent resident status
The permanent resident card (PR card) is the official proof of permanent resident status in Canada. A valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) is required to travel to Canada by commercial carrier (for example, airplane, bus, train or boat). Permanent residents must comply with the residency obligation (as per section 28 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) to maintain their permanent resident status.
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