Application for Permanent Residence: Temporary Resident Permit Holder

This application is for persons who are in Canada on a valid temporary resident permit and wish to apply for permanent residence. Applicants must have lived continuously in Canada as permit holders for a minimum of three to five years (depending on the reason the applicant is inadmissible to Canada under the Act) before they are eligible to apply for permanent residence.

How to apply online

Sign in or create a Permanent residence online application portal account (opens in a new tab) .

Refer to the Instruction Guide [IMM 5527] for important information about your eligibility, fees and how to apply.

You must fill out these digital forms online

You’ll fill out these digital forms online (for yourself, and any family members 18 or older)

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

You must also fill out these PDF forms

• Document Checklist [IMM 5528] (PDF, 313.54 KB)
  • Use your checklist to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need.
  • you don’t need to sign
  • upload to your online application
  • as the principal applicant, you’ll electronically sign for the entire application, including those of your family members

Using an immigration representative

If you want to appoint someone to do business with us on your behalf, you must

• submit a Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648.31 KB) form
• sign it digitally or by hand and get your immigration representative to do so also
• upload it with your application

An immigration representative (an immigration consultant or lawyer) can give you advice and help you with your application for a fee. But they can’t

• open a portal account on your behalf
• electronically sign the application for you
• sign into the portal using your username and password

A representative can fill out forms and communicate with us on your behalf through their own account. They can also

• help you prepare the documents you need to upload
• answer questions about the forms

After you read the declaration, you must be the one who types your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed,” according to Canada’s immigration law.

If you want to allow us to release information from your application to someone other than yourself who will not act as your representative you must

• submit an Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 593.57 KB) form
• complete the form and sign it (digitally or by hand)
• get your designated individual to sign it as well
• upload it with your application

Photo specifications

You need one photo for each person on your application.

Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo.

Technical issues

If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form

• under type of application/enquiry, choose technical difficulties from the drop-down menu
• in the text box, specify the program you’re applying under
• upload screenshots from your account that show us
  • the page where you’re having problems
  • the error message(s) you get

If you need to upload a number of images, find out how to combine them into 1 document.

Pay your fees online

Find out how to pay your fees.

Submit your online application

Before you submit your application, make sure you:

• answer all questions
• electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport)
• include your processing fee receipt
• upload all the supporting documents

If your application is incomplete, we’ll reject it. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.