Work Permit to PR Canada: Become a Permanent Resident
If you have been working in Canada on a Canadian work permit for a number of years, you may be interested in applying for permanent residency in Canada.
Contact Quick Visa Solutions right away for quick assistance with your immigration matter. We can converse over the phone or via online video call.
How to Get a PR in Canada While Working Permit?
Depending on the type of work permit or foreign skilled worker program you apply for, you may be able to receive PR.
This path is usually not available to temporary foreign employees, who are only allowed to stay in Canada for a limited time. The TR to PR track was previously utilized by most people with a work permit to seek permanent residence, however it will be phased out in 2021.
Now, if you are on a work permit, you would normally have to apply for PR through an immigration program such as the Canadian Experience Class. This page describes the four primary Canadian immigration programs that lead to permanent status in Canada.
It should be noted that applying for permanent residence with a work visa is not the only option. You may be eligible to apply through the Family Sponsorship Program, the Self-Employed Persons Program, or other channels (for example, Canadian Family Visas).
PR in Canada is available through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program provides a route to permanent residency in Canada. If you are given this visa, you will be able to stay in the country indefinitely. This is not the same as a work permit, but it allows you to bypass the work permit process and go straight to PR.
- Applicants must have two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years.
- The experience was earned after they were certified to practice the trade in their own country.
According to the National Occupational Classification Code, a skilled trade might be classified as one of the following:
Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades comprise
Major Group 73: Trades in Maintenance and Equipment Operation
Major Group 82: Natural resources, agricultural, and allied production supervisors and technical jobs
Major Group 92: Supervisors and central control operators in the processing, manufacturing, and utility industries make up
Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers
If a candidate has the necessary amount of work experience, they also need to meet the following extra qualifying criteria:
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian company for a position that will last at least 12 months.
- Plan to live in Canada (but not in Quebec).
- Pass an approved English or French language test with a score of at least 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark.
After meeting these requirements, the next step is to submit an Express Entry profile. In addition to this, further admissibility conditions must be met.
You will be notified if you receive an invitation to apply based on your Express Entry profile, and you may then submit your application.
PR through the Canadian Experience Class
This is the most direct path to obtaining a work visa for Canada. Your experience with your work permit will be extremely important in obtaining permanent residency status in Canada through this approach.
Foreign nationals must meet the following conditions to apply for Canadian permanent residency (PR) under the Canadian Experience Class:
- Have at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Canada earned within the last three years.
- Meet or surpass the acceptable level of language abilities based on your work experience's National Occupational Classification (NOC).
There is no minimum level of educational qualification required to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
However, if you meet one of the following qualifications, you can raise your score in the Express Entry pool:
- If you went to school in Canada, you may be eligible for points for a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian institution (secondary or post-secondary).
- If you acquired your educational qualifications outside of Canada, you may be eligible for points if you finished an educational course overseas and have an Educational Credential Assessment report to prove it.
As part of this scheme, foreign nationals must settle in an area other than Quebec. In many areas, Quebec’s rules differ from those of the other Canadian territories.
The following are the steps from work permit to PR Canada:
- Complete the online application.
- Create your Express Entry profile.
- Prepare your supporting documents and certificates.
- Find an eligible job.
Improve your score by using one or more of the following strategies:
- Obtain a legitimate work offer through approved employment boards.
- Apply for selection through the Provincial Nominee Program.
- Increase your level of linguistic proficiency.
- Contribute to your educational credentials.
- Gain additional job experience related to the program guidelines.
- Keep an eye on your profile and update it as needed with important information.
Applying for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Programs
Another popular path for people looking to immigrate and get permanent residency in Canada is through the Provincial Nominee Program. Your employment experience can demonstrate to a province that you will be useful to its labour market if you take this route.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Notably, Quebec is not included on the list because it has a provincial nominee program.
There is no centralized application procedure for this program, and you must apply through the official website of each area.
Follow the procedures below to submit your application through the program:
- Fill out your online application.
- Provide your biometric information (fingerprints and an image of your face).
- Pay the biometrics charge when you submit your application.
- Determine whether you are eligible for a bridging open work permit if you are currently working in Canada.
- Submit a certificate of medical examination.
- Provide a copy of your police or criminal record certificate.
If your application is approved, the following step is to confirm your PR status.
This implies that you must submit your passport and pay your right of permanent residence charge.
Following payment, you should receive the following:
- Proof of permanent residence (COPR)
- Visa for permanent residence
A letter explaining your immigration status and conditions of stay
Applying for permanent residency in Canada under the Quebec Experience Class
If you have work or study experience in Quebec, you may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Class (PEQ).
This process has two stages for obtaining permanent residence:
- Applicants must apply for an Immigration Quebec Selection Certificate.
- Applicants must then apply for a Canadian immigration visa from the federal government (based solely on security, criminal, and medical background investigations).
Individuals must be over the age of 18 and intend to live in Quebec permanently.
Applicants for the foreign student program must meet the following requirements:
- The student has graduated or plans to graduate from a Quebec school while pursuing a two-year course.
- The course ended no later than 36 months after the date of the visa application.
- The student has adequate funds to support themselves and any spouse or dependent children for at least three months after being granted permanent residency.
While the foreign worker rules stipulate the following:
Individuals undertook at least twelve months of eligible work in a managerial, professional, or skilled role within the last two years prior to the application.
- The job is on the list of occupations relevant to this program.
- The applicant is currently employed and has legal status in Quebec as a temporary resident.
- They have at least an intermediate level of oral French language skills.
- They are able to support themselves and their spouse or dependent children (where relevant) for at least three months after being granted permanent residency.
In the majority of cases, applicants may receive a decision on their application in less than one month.
You can also apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, which also leads to PR.
Get assistance in transitioning from a work visa to PR in Canada.
We can assist you if you are currently in Canada on a work permit or want to take the job path to become a permanent resident. We understand that transitioning from temporary resident status to permanent resident status is not always straightforward, but we can assist you in sifting through the various options to find the one that will best increase your prospects of acquiring Canadian PR.
We’d provide you with advice tailored to your situation, make sure you’re eligible, suggest papers and proof that would support your application, assist you in filling out all application forms, and engage with the IRCC as needed to increase your chances of success.
Contact us today at 18004199751 or via live chat to begin the process of transitioning from a work permit to a Canada PR.
