When it comes to immigration and living in Canada, two important terms often come up: Permanent Residency (PR) and Canadian Citizenship. While both statuses allow individuals to live and work in Canada, they come with distinct rights, responsibilities, and processes. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone considering making Canada their home.
Permanent Residency (PR)
A Permanent Resident (PR) is a person who has been granted permission to live and work in Canada indefinitely, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights as Canadian citizens but have certain limitations. A PR status can be revoked if the individual does not meet the residency requirements or violates certain laws.
Canadian Citizenship
Canadian citizenship is a legal status that grants individuals the full rights of being a Canadian. Once you become a Canadian citizen, you enjoy all the rights and privileges of a citizen, including the right to vote, apply for a Canadian passport, and live in Canada indefinitely without worrying about residency conditions.
Rights and Responsibilities
- Rights:
- – Live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
- – Access to health care and other social benefits available to Canadian citizens.
- – Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Ability to sponsor family members for immigration to Canada.
- Responsibilities:
- – Must maintain PR status by living in Canada for at least 2 years within every 5-year period.
- – Cannot vote in federal, provincial, or municipal elections.
- – Cannot run for office or hold government positions that require Canadian citizenship.
- – Must follow Canadian laws and regulations.
- Rights:
- – Full voting rights: Citizens have the right to vote in federal, provincial, and local elections.
- – The right to run for public office and hold government positions.
- – The ability to apply for a Canadian passport and enjoy the protections that come with it, including consular assistance from Canadian embassies and consulates worldwide.
- – Protection from deportation, as citizens cannot lose their status or be deported from Canada.
- Responsibilities:
- – Must obey Canadian laws and participate in civic duties (e.g., paying taxes).
- – May be subject to jury duty and could be required to serve in the event of national defense needs.
- – Loyalty to Canada: Canadians are expected to adhere to the country’s values and laws and not engage in acts that may endanger national security.
Process of Obtaining PR and Citizenship
- – To obtain PR status, individuals typically apply through one of Canada’s immigration programs, such as Express Entry, Family Sponsorship, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or as a refugee.
- – After receiving approval, individuals become permanent residents and can live, work, and study in Canada for as long as they meet the residency requirements.
- – PR status can be lost if the individual commits a serious crime or fails to meet the residency obligation.
- To apply for citizenship, a Permanent Resident must meet specific criteria:
- – Must have lived in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) out of the last 5 years.
- – Must demonstrate proficiency in English or French (if between 18 and 54 years old).
- – Must pass a citizenship test (covering Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols).
- – Must file Canadian taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period before applying.
- Once the application is approved, the individual must attend a citizenship ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship, formally becoming a Canadian citizen.
Duration of Status
- – Permanent Residency is not necessarily permanent. PR holders must meet residency obligations to maintain their status. If they fail to do so, they could lose their PR status and may even face deportation.
– Canadian Citizenship is permanent and cannot be revoked unless the person obtained it through fraudulent means or other extreme circumstances.
Passing citizenship to children
Children of Permanent Residents:
While children of Permanent Residents cannot automatically inherit PR status unless the parent sponsors them or they are included in the immigration process, Permanent Residents with children born abroad can still secure PR status for their children through sponsorship. However, the child will not have the same rights as a Canadian citizen and may need to meet residency requirements to maintain their PR status.Children of Canadian Citizens:
Canadian citizens are automatically able to pass on citizenship to their children, even if the child is born outside Canada. This simplifies the process for families living abroad or planning to move back to Canada, as the child will not need to apply for Canadian immigration or citizenship separately, provided the parent is a Canadian citizen at the time of birth.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Permanent Resident (PR) | Canadian Citizenship |
| Residency Requirement | Must live in Canada for 2 out of 5 years. | Must live in Canada for 3 out of 5 years. |
| Voting Rights | No | Yes |
| Government Positions | Cannot hold government positions requiring citizenship | Eligible for all government positions |
| Passport | Cannot get a Canadian passport. | Can apply for a Canadian passport. |
| Deportation Risk | Can be deported if PR status is revoked. | Cannot be deported once citizenship is granted. |
| Sponsorship | Can sponsor family members for immigration. | Can sponsor family members for immigration. |
| Right to pass status to children born outside the country | No | Yes, if parent is also born in Canada |
Both Permanent Residency and Canadian Citizenship offer incredible benefits, but they come with different sets of rights and responsibilities. Permanent Residents enjoy many of the same privileges as citizens, but they cannot vote or hold certain government positions. On the other hand, Canadian Citizens enjoy full political rights and protections, including the right to apply for a Canadian passport and the security of never losing their status unless they commit serious offenses.
If you’re looking to make Canada your permanent home, understanding the difference between these two statuses is crucial for making an informed decision about your long-term plans in the country. Whether you start as a permanent resident or pursue citizenship, Canada offers a welcoming environment for individuals seeking opportunities and a higher quality of life.
