7 Benefits to Becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada
August 11, 2023
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Canada is a great country. The benefits of permanent residency the country offers include abundant employment opportunities, a progressive government, social benefits, family sponsorship, and some of the most diverse and friendliest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.
Furthermore, Canada’s subsidized education system ensures that education in Canada is universal for all through primary and secondary school. Interested in building a new life as a permanent resident of Canada? If you are, here are the seven benefits of permanent residency you can look forward to in Canada!
7 Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada
Canada is a popular destination for immigrants seeking permanent residency due to its numerous benefits. Here are seven benefits of permanent residency in Canada.
Healthcare in Canada
Healthcare in Canada is world-renowned. As a permanent resident, you can access Canada's universal healthcare facilities. Medical care is free for all Canadian permanent residents and is provided by Medicare, Canada's publicly funded healthcare system.
Through Medicare, all Canadian residents can access medically necessary hospital and physician services without paying out-of-pocket.
The roles and responsibilities for providing healthcare services to Canadian permanent residents and citizens are shared between provincial and territorial governments and the federal government. This streamlines administrative operations and ensures the efficiency of healthcare provision.
Education System in Canada
Permanent residents are provided free education up to 12th grade (18 years of age). Canada also offers world-class education, and permanent residents pay significantly lower fees for higher education compared to overseas students. Each of Canada's 13 provinces and territories operates its school system and follows federal government standards to ensure high-quality public education nationwide.
Canada is the most educated country in the world, according to the World Population Review. Approximately 56.2% of Canada’s population has post-secondary education including certificates, diplomas, or academic degrees.
Employment Opportunities in Canada
Canada is a vibrant nation with a booming economy, and permanent residents can get suitable high-paying jobs, tax rebates, and other social benefits.
The combination of Canada’s large, geographical and fertile landmass, rich mineral resources (natural gas, petroleum, coal, iron ore, copper, silver), and proximity to the large trading markets of the United States (US) ensures the resilience of Canada’s labor market from the boom and bust cycle of free market economies. Hence, Canada’s unemployment sits at a low 5.5 %, according to Trading Economics.
Maternity and Paternity Leave in Canada
Permanent residents are eligible for maternity and paternity leave in Canada. They can take up to 18 months of leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child. Employment Insurance (EI) is responsible for providing maternal and paternal leave in Canada, including:
- Financial assistance to workers who are away from work due to pregnancy or have recent labor
- Assisting parents who are away from work to care for their newly adopted child or newborn baby
Social Benefits in Canada
Permanent residents can get most social benefits Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage. They are also eligible for retirement pensions, disability benefits, and survivors' benefits for deceased workers. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is responsible for developing and delivering most governmental social benefits in Canada.
Multiculturalism in Canada
Canada is known for its welcoming immigration policies and cultural diversity. Permanent residents can enjoy a safe and secure place to call home and be protected by the government and authorities under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Find out more about the benefits of multiculturalism in Canada.
Family Sponsorship for Permanent Residency in Canada
Permanent residents can sponsor their spouse/common-law partner and dependent children to join them in Canada. They can also sponsor certain relatives who are over 18 years old. Family sponsorship is a very common and effective way of reuniting with your family in Canada while ensuring that they become entitled to the same Canadian residency benefits you possess.
How to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada
Becoming a permanent resident in Canada can be achieved through various programs, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, Business Immigration, and Family Sponsorship. Here is a breakdown of each program.
Express Entry System
Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for permanent residence for three programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled profession. To be eligible, you must meet the job requirements for that skilled work or profession in the National Occupational Classification and work in a position classified in Teaching, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
You also must have valid work experience for paid work of full-time employment for at least one year, or the equivalent amount of hours worked (1560) in a part-time position.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for skilled foreign tradespeople who want to become permanent residents due to their qualifications in a skilled trade. To be eligible, you must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply.
You must also meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the updated 2021 NOC or TEER categories, a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents. To be eligible, you must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years before you apply and meet the required language levels needed for your job, and plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals interested in immigrating to a specific province or territory. Each province and territory has its PNP with unique eligibility criteria and application processes. The following table presents the list of Canada PNPs.
Immigration Pilots (AIP, RNIP, HCCPP, AFP)
Immigration Pilots are programs designed to help specific groups of immigrants become permanent residents in Canada. Some of the pilots include.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program was created to provide a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:
Learn how to apply for the AIP.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) helps employers hire foreign workers and graduates in rural and northern communities. You must have a job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities to be considered eligible to apply.
Home Care and Child Provider Pilot (HCCPP)
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot are economic pilot programs created to attract and retain foreign national caregivers to Canada. To qualify, the foreign national caregivers must:
- Have Canadian work experience from eligible caregiver occupation or a job offer
- meet the minimum language proficiency and education (with educational credential assessment (ECA) requirements
Agri-food Pilot (AFP)
The Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) enables employers in Canada address the labor needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for non-seasonal workers who possess the required experience needed to fill open job posts in specific industries and with specific occupations.
Business Immigration
Business immigration to Canada is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business in Canada. Canada offers several business immigration programs for hopeful immigrants, including the Start-Up Visa and Federal Self-Employed programs.
Start-up Visa Program
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada to establish a new business. Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is original, will create new jobs for Canadians, and can compete globally.
Self-employed Program
The Federal Self-Employed Program is for individuals who have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and intend to be self-employed in Canada.
Find out more about how to apply for the Self-Employed program.
Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship Visa is a program designed to help Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their family members to become permanent residents in Canada.
What to do If You’re Not Eligible For Permanent Residency
If you are not eligible for permanent residency in Canada, options are still available. Look at the Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP), the International Mobility Program (IMP), and the IEC Working Holiday Program.
Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP) program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers temporarily. To obtain a TFWP, employers must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which assesses the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) is another program that allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers, but without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The IMP streamlines the hiring process for employers and workers alike, making it simpler and quicker to obtain a work permit. The IMP serves Canada's broader economic and cultural interests and includes various streams, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
IEC Working Holiday Program
The IEC Working Holiday Program is a specific International Mobility Program (IMP) stream that allows foreign youth to come to Canada and work temporarily.
To be eligible for the IEC Working Holiday Program, you must meet certain criteria, have a profile in an IEC pool, and receive an invitation to apply for a work permit. The IEC program is designed to facilitate reciprocal youth exchange agreements and promote cultural exchange between Canada and other countries.
FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Permanent Resident and a Canadian Citizen?
A permanent resident has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries, while Canadian citizens have the right to vote and hold a Canadian passport.
However, permanent residents have many of the same rights as Canadian citizens, including the right to work and study in Canada and access to most social benefits.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Canadian Permanent Resident?
The time it takes to become a Canadian permanent resident can vary depending on the immigration program you apply through. For example, the Express Entry program can take as little as six months, while other programs may take longer.
What Are The Application Fees For Canada Permanent Residency?
The application fees for Canada permanent residency can also vary depending on the program you apply through. For example, the fees for the Express Entry program are 1,325 CAD for the main applicant, plus additional fees for dependents. Other programs may have different fees.