All You Need to Know About Canadian PR

Created: Jul 10, 2023 | Updated: Jul 10, 2023

Hey there! Curious about moving to Canada? You're not alone! Last year, a whopping 868,825 people made Canada their home, a record not seen since 1921. With this influx, it's clear that Canada's doors are wide open. But you might be wondering, "How do I join them? What's involved in becoming a permanent resident?" Well, you're in luck! This article lays out all the steps, from general requirements to the documents you'll need. We even talk about the translation services required if your documents aren't in English or French. Grab a cup of coffee, and let's walk you through this exciting journey to calling Canada home!

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Just last year (2022), 868,825 (eight hundred & sixty-eight thousand, eight hundred & twenty-five) people were granted Canadian residency or non-permanent residency (permission to stay temporarily) in Canada. This was the highest number ever recorded since 1921. So, if you plan to move to Canada permanently, now may be a good time.

 

General Requirements for Permanent Residency in Canada 

To obtain permanent residency (PR) in Canada, you need to meet certain requirements set by the Canadian government. The specific requirements may vary depending on the immigration program you apply through. Here are some common pathways for obtaining PR in Canada and their general requirements:

1. Express Entry System

• Qualify under one of the three federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
   
• Create an Express Entry profile and be eligible for one of the programs based on factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
   
• Score sufficient points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• Apply through a specific provincial nomination program offered by a Canadian province or territory.
   
• Meet the eligibility criteria defined by the province, such as having a job offer, work experience in the province, or a connection to the province through education or family ties.

3. Family Sponsorship

• Have a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident willing to sponsor you.
   
• The sponsor must meet certain income requirements to demonstrate their ability to support you financially.

4. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years.
   
• Meet minimum language requirements in English or French.
   
• Plan to live outside the province of Quebec (as Quebec has its own immigration programs).

5. Start-up Visa Program

• The Start-up Visa Program requires you to have a qualifying business idea and receive a letter of support from a designated organisation (business incubator, angel investor group, venture capital fund, etc.).
   
• You also need to show that you have enough funds to settle in Canada.

6. Caregiver Programs

• For this program, you need to have at least two years of work experience as a caregiver in Canada.
   
• Meet the language requirements.
   
• You must also have a job offer to work as a caregiver in Canada.

Facts About Canadian PR

If you have received Canadian PR through any of the programs listed above, there are things you need to know about keeping your PR status. To keep your PR(this is not the same as Canadian citizenship) at the point of renewal, you need to demonstrate that you have lived in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years before the date you are applying for permanent residency. As part of the application, you need at least two documents to prove this claim. Some of  these documents are:

• Employment records
• Bank statements
• Documents from the Canada Revenue Agency
• Club memberships
• Rental arrangements

These documents serve as proof of your presence in Canada for the required period. 

Likewise, if you want to leave Canada to visit another country, and your PR is about to expire, it is important that you apply for a PR card renewal. Without this, you may not be allowed to re-enter Canada. 

If you are looking to get PR in Canada, here are some facts you need to know. 

1. The Government of Canada charges a fee of  CAD $50 for PR application. This does not include additional fees that may apply.
    
2. You can become a permanent resident of Canada by applying under one of these immigration programs that you can explore based on your situation, preferences or need.
    
3. You may also be eligible for a residency even if you don’t meet the legal requirement of 730 days of Canada stay if you:

• Are a crown servant.
• Or have a family member who is a crown servant.

The Canadian government places an emphasis on the need for PR applicants to provide accurate, truthful, and complete information on their PR application forms. Any slight misstep or incomplete information may lead to delays or even rejection of your application. This is where the role of careful documentation comes in, especially when it comes to document translations.

 

Certified Translations for Immigration to Canada

Canada receives an influx of immigrants from lots of foreign countries, so it is to be expected that lots of Canadian immigrants may need to have their documents translated during PR application. Canada has two official languages due to its rich bilingual history; English and French. Therefore, all immigration documents must be provided in either of these languages to be considered valid by the Canadian government. If your documents are in French or English, you will not require a translation, but documents in any other language besides these two languages must go through a process of certified translation.

A certified translation is a translation done by an authorised translator/translation company that is recognized by a certifying body and is accompanied by a signed statement that verifies that the translation is an accurate representation of the original document. In Canada, some of the recognized bodies that certify translators include Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council(CTTIC), Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba (ATIM) Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan (ATIS). If you need the services of a certified translator, you should hire a translator who is a certified member of these organisations.

In the event that you cannot get a certified translator to translate your documents, you can employ the service of a professional translator. Professional translators may not have certifications, but they are skilled in the process of translation. If you are using a professional translator, the professional translator must accompany the translation with an affidavit, for the translations to be valid. An affidavit is a sworn statement from an uncertified translator, stating that the translation is accurate to the best of the translator’s knowledge. This affidavit must be issued in the presence of a public notary to be considered valid. 

Translators who are certified by a Canadian regulatory body as listed above, do not require an affidavit, while other translators who are not certified in Canada require an affidavit. You can have documents like your birth certificates, police reports, identification documents, documents attesting to the period of your stay in Canada and documents demonstrating that the person sponsoring your immigration is a Canadian resident translated by a certified translator.
 

Why do I Need an Affidavit Translation for Canadian PR Application? 

As mentioned previously, you need to get all the translations for your document done by a certified translator who is certified in Canada. But if the translator is not certified in Canada, then he needs to accompany the translations with an affidavit, confirming that everything they have translated is exactly what was in the original document, to the best of their knowledge. The IRCC requires an affidavit for any translation that an uncertified translator does because the affidavit acts as a guarantee of the authenticity of the document that was translated. Your documents cannot be translated by you, your relative, or your Canadian sponsor. It has to be done by an independent translator. 

Furthermore, it is very IMPORTANT that you do not submit your original documents with your application because it may not be returned to you and you may lose your original documents.

 

Documents That Require Translation for Canadian PR Application

As part of your PR application, you must submit some vital documents to facilitate the process. Here are some documents you will be asked to provide:

1. Medical exams document.
    
2. Proof of funds.
    
3. Representative form (IMM 5476) (if you hired a representative to help you with the immigration process).
    
4. Common-law union form (if you declared your marital status as common law).
    
5. Marriage certificate (if applicable).
    
6. Divorce certificate (if applicable).
    
7. Death certificate (if applicable. For example, in the case of a deceased spouse).
    
8. Adoption certificate (if applicable).

 

 

How to get a Certified Translation 

In conclusion, you must ensure that your documents align with Canadian immigration requirements. Failure to meet these translation requirements may lead to an application denial.

In keeping with one of the most important PR application requirements, Translayte provides legally certified translation services to Canadian PR applicants who want a seamless application process. We provide these services and more at a competitive rate. Here is an example of our certified document translation. 

Translayte guarantees the translation of your document to the standards imposed by the Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada. We guarantee a speedy delivery of your documents, which can take as little as 12 hours, with same-day delivery for urgent cases.  

Get in touch with our team today to consult, get a personalised quote, and have your documents translated in no time.