Settle in Canada as a Permanent Resident
Canada runs more than one route to permanent residency, and the right one turns on your work history, your language ability and where you plan to live. We read your profile, point you at the strongest option, and stay with the file through to submission.
What Canadian Permanent Residency Gives You
Few countries pair this much economic opportunity with this standard of living, which is why Canadian PR remains one of the most sought-after statuses anywhere.
Open Immigration Targets
Federal planning aims to admit over 500,000 new permanent residents a year, through published routes whose criteria you can check before you apply.
Everyday Quality of Life
Canada sits year after year near the top of global liveability rankings, helped by strong healthcare, schooling and public services.
A Broad Job Market
Hiring runs across a wide spread of industries, with pay that competes internationally and employment law that protects staff.
Schools and Universities
Children of permanent residents attend public school free of charge, and highly ranked universities are within reach.
Public Support Systems
Residents and their families can draw on universal healthcare, social security and wider welfare provision.
Citizenship Later On
Once the residency requirement has been met, usually 3 years, a permanent resident can apply to become a Canadian citizen.
Worth knowing: permanent residents hold close to the same rights as citizens. That covers healthcare, education, and the freedom to live, work or study in any part of the country.
Routes Into Canadian PR
Work out which route fits your background, your working history and what you want to do next.
Who Qualifies for Canadian PR
Every programme sets its own bar, but almost all Canadian PR applications turn on the same handful of criteria.
Work Experience
Express Entry, PNPsExpect to show 1-2 years of skilled work in your field, with the exact figure set by the programme. That work has to sit inside NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Language Proficiency
All ProgramsExpress Entry sets a floor of CLB 7, which is roughly IELTS 6.0. Results have to be current and come from IELTS, CELPIP or TEF. French adds points on top.
Education
Express Entry, Most PNPsA Canadian high school diploma, or an equivalent from abroad, is the floor. Anything earned outside Canada needs an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Proof of Funds
Express Entry (FSWP), Some PNPsA single applicant has to show CAD $13,757, and that figure climbs with each additional family member. Anyone with a valid job offer or Canadian work experience is exempt.
Valid Documents
All ProgramsPassport, police certificates, medical examination results and every piece of supporting evidence. Anything not already in English or French has to be translated.
Admissibility
All ProgramsYou need to be in good health, free of a criminal record and able to support yourself once you arrive. Security, medical and financial grounds can each make an applicant inadmissible.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score
Express Entry ranks candidates out of a maximum 1,200 points. Age, education, language ability and work history all feed into the total you are given.
Core Factors
600 points maximum
Spouse or Partner
40 points maximum
Additional Factors
600 points maximum
Please note: cut-off scores and eligibility rules shift as immigration targets and draw patterns change. We measure your profile against the rules in force at the time and advise on the route that suits your circumstances.
How Long Each Route Takes
Knowing roughly how long a route runs makes it far easier to plan the rest of your move around it.
Express Entry
Build your Express Entry profile
1-2 weeksFill in the online profile with the information and documents it asks for
Invitation to Apply (ITA)
VariesDraws normally fall 2-4 weeks apart, and whether you are picked rests on your CRS score
File the full application
60 daysThe ITA gives you 60 days to pull everything together and submit it
IRCC assessment
6 monthsIRCC verifies your evidence and completes its background checks
Confirmation and visa issued
1-2 weeksYour Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR visa come through
Provincial Nominee Program
Apply to the provincial stream
2-4 monthsLodge your application with the province you have chosen
Nomination decision
Varies by provinceThe province assesses the case and, where successful, issues a nomination certificate
File the federal application
1-2 weeksSend in your PR application, on paper or through Express Entry, with the certificate attached
Federal stage
15-19 monthsIRCC works through the federal half of the application
Confirmation and visa issued
1-2 weeksCOPR and PR visa are released
Family Sponsorship (Spouse)
Check that the sponsor qualifies
1-2 weeksConfirm the sponsor meets every requirement before anything is filed
Assemble and lodge the package
4-6 weeksCollect the evidence and submit the sponsorship application in full
Under assessment
12 monthsIRCC handles the sponsorship and the PR application as one file
Interview, where one is called
VariesAttend only if IRCC asks for it
Confirmation and visa issued
2-4 weeksCOPR and PR visa are released
What Moves the Timeline
- How complete the application and its evidence are when filed
- Your country of origin and how involved the background checks become
- The volume IRCC is carrying at the time and its capacity to clear it
- Whether further verification or an interview is called for
Where We Come In
- Checking the file is complete before it goes in, so it does not stall
- Preparing each document to the standard IRCC expects
- Watching the status and turning around any request quickly
- Staying available for questions from start to finish
What PR Support Costs With Us
Permanent Residency Support Service
One service, running from the first eligibility check through to the day your permanent residency application is submitted.
Here is what the service covers:
An eligibility check, followed by a recommendation on which route to take
A document checklist built around your case, with guidance on preparing each item
Completion and review of every application form
Verification of the supporting evidence you supply
Tuning your profile for Express Entry or the provincial stream you are using
Help getting the application filed
Follow-up and status tracking once it has been lodged
Drafting replies to IRCC requests for further documents
Service Fee
Full Application Support
Preparation and submission handled end to end
$399
Note: the figure above buys our work on a single PR route. Anything beyond that, such as an application for a spouse or dependants, is charged separately.
We confirm the final figure at the end of your consultation, once the route and the scope of work are settled.
Important notes:
• Government processing fees go straight to IRCC, that is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Ivipass never collects government fees on your behalf
• Language test fees for IELTS, CELPIP and TEF are settled with the test provider
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) fees are paid to the designated organisation carrying out the assessment
• The decision on your PR sits with IRCC, not with Ivipass. Our part is making sure what reaches them lines up with what they ask for, fully documented and accurately claimed. We do not promise an outcome, and you should be wary of anyone who does.
Government Fees, Payable Direct to IRCC
• Principal applicant: CAD $1,365
• Spouse or partner: CAD $1,365
• Each dependent child: CAD $230
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD $515 for each adult
These amounts are revised from time to time. Check the IRCC website for the schedule in force today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we are asked most often about applying for PR in Canada
Something not covered here? Book a free consultation and one of our advisers will look at your circumstances and set out what your options actually are.
Ready to Get Started?
Our team will walk you through each stage of a Canadian permanent residency application, from the first assessment to the day it is filed.
Speak to an Adviser
Set up a free consultation to talk through which route fits and whether you qualify
1:1
Eligibility Review First
2014
Registered in England & Wales Since
6-24
Months, Typical Processing