Wednesday 19 August 2015

Facts about being a Permanent Canadian Resident

Being a permanent Canadian resident means that you have responsibilities to yourself, your community, and your new home country. In this regard, you’d do well to know about very important facts about the permanent residency status in Canada—whether you’re in the early stages of deciding to move in or already settled down.

First and foremost, the term “permanent” in your status cannot be taken literally. It is, rather, conditional, which means that if you don’t satisfy certain duties sanctioned by Canadian immigration laws, you’ll eventually lose your status. 

Furthermore, as a permanent resident, it’s critical to remember that you don’t possess the same set of rights as a full-fledged Canadian citizen. You do, however, have access to basic ones, such as receiving benefits such as health care coverage and funding from OSAP like Canadian citizens do. You can also attend any school you like, live and work anywhere you deem fit, be protected under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as apply for full citizenship. You can’t, however, run for political office or vote.

Lastly, it all concerns your permanent resident (PR) card. Since it serves as the official proof of your status, the card should be presented if you re-enter the country after an overseas trip. Most PR cards expire after five years (with some after a year), so you have to check regularly to know if you need a new one.

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