Canada PR Visa From India 2024
“A Maple Leaf Country” – Canada is known for its well-developed economy, wide range of job opportunities, multiculturalism, high-class education (Top universities and colleges), and Strong rule of law and respect for human rights. Therefore, many of us wanted to move to Canada Permanently.
So, If you are one of them, then this Canada PR Visa guide is for you. This guide provides you with complete details for the process of immigrating to Canada. Firstly, We’ll learn about the “Meaning of the Canada PR Visa”.
What is a Canada PR Visa?
A Permanent Resident (PR) visa for Canada is a document that allows individuals to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada permanently. A Canada PR holder can apply for Canadian Citizenship also.
To obtain a PR visa, you must usually go through one of the immigration programs offered by the Canadian immigration authorities which is IRCC (Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada), such as the Express Entry Program, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Family Sponsorship Program, and other immigration programs.
Benefits of Canada Permanent Residency Visa
Here are some benefits for a Canada PR Visa holder:
- Canada plans to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024,
- 500,000 in 2025, and level at 500,000 by 2026
- Can apply for Canadian Citizenship
- Study, Work, and Live Anywhere
- Better Job Opportunities
- Better healthcare coverage and Social Benefits
- Security and protection under Canadian Law
Difference between Canada PR and Canadian Citizenship
The below table shows the difference between Canada PR and Canadian Citizenship;
Feature | Canada PR | Canada Citizenship |
Status | Permanent Resident status | Full citizenship status |
Passport | Requires passport from country of origin | Eligible for a Canadian passport |
Residency Obligation | Must live in Canada for at least 730 days in 5 years | No residency obligation |
Right to Vote | Cannot vote in federal, provincial, or municipal elections | Can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections |
Political Office | Cannot hold political office | Can hold political office |
Job Restrictions | Some jobs requiring high-level security clearance are restricted | Can work in all jobs, including those requiring security clearance |
Jury Duty | Not eligible to serve on a jury | Eligible to serve on a jury |
Deportation | Can be deported for serious criminality or violation of PR obligations | Cannot be deported. Citizenship is secure except in cases of citizenship obtained by fraud |
Travel Rights | Can travel to and from Canada freely but may need visas for other countries | Can travel to many countries without a visa due to a Canadian passport |
Family Sponsorship | Can sponsor relatives to become PRs, subject to meeting eligibility requirements | Same as PR, but also enjoys the right to pass citizenship to children born outside Canada |
International Mobility | Travel rights can be restricted based on the country of origin’s passport | Enjoy more freedom to travel internationally |
Access to Social Benefits | Access to most social benefits, including healthcare | Access to all social benefits, including healthcare |
Eligibility for Citizenship | Must meet specific residency and other criteria to apply for citizenship | Already a citizen; no application necessary |
Renewal of Status | PR card must be renewed every 5 years | Citizenship is for life; no need for renewal
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Canada PR Process
The Canada PR process is a simple seven-step procedure for candidates who fulfill the eligibility and conditions. You may complete your Canada PR visa application following the seven stages outlined below. A Permanent Resident (PR) visa has become popular among foreigners seeking to stay in ‘Maple Leaf Country.’ It depends on how you want to apply for a Canada PR visa.
Here is a route list to help you with the Canada PR process:
- Express Entry Program
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Immigration
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Canada start-up visa program
Canada PR Visa Eligibility
- 67 points in Canada points Grid
- Age below 40 years
- IELTS / PTE Score
- Educational Credential Assessment
- Proof of Funds
- Job offer in Canada (optional)
Canada Permanent Resident Visa Requirements
The checklist of Canada PR criteria is provided below for you to review before applying for permanent residency in Canada.
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language ability
- Adaptability
- Arranged employment
- Police Clearance certificate
Applicants for a Canada PR visa under the PNP program must have a connection to the province. You can study or work in that province. You may be qualified if you have a job offer from a company in the province. To be eligible for this program, you must score 67 out of 100 in the above qualifying factors.
How to apply for a Canada PR Visa?
Indians applying for a Canada PR visa must complete all required requirements and arrange all necessary documents. Then, use the steps below to file your Canada PR visa application from India.
- Step 1 – Before you begin the application process, take the language ability exams. Take the IELTS test and achieve the required score. If necessary, you may need to take a French language test.
- Step 2 – Submit your application for the immigration program for which you choose to apply.
- Step 3 – Submit the required documents and make sure that all your documents are relevant and genuine.
- Step 4 – Gather your required documents for Proof of funds to support your stay, Medical certificate, and Police clearance certificate.
- Step 5 – An immigration officer will conduct a necessary examination of your documents. Be prepared to supply any extra information as needed.
- Step 6 – You will be notified of your PR status and issued a COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) card.
- Step 7 – Apply for a PR card and Fly to Canada.
Canada PR via Express Entry Program
Applicants applying for Canada PR through the Express Entry System need to follow a Point-based system. The Express Entry System has 3 sub-categories-
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP), and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you are a Skilled Worker, you can choose to apply for Federal Skilled Worker Program. This program will launched by the Canadian government in 2015 to fulfill the Canadian labour market and encourage Skilled workers to come to the country and contribute to their economy.
Canada PR via Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canada has almost 80 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), each with its own set of eligibility standards. The PNP program enables provinces to fulfill their specific immigration needs by assisting them in filling in-demand positions and addressing labor shortages in their area.
Most PNPs require candidates to have a link to the province. They should have already worked or studied in that province. Alternatively, individuals must have an employment offer from a provincial employer to get a work visa. However, some PNPs require no prior connection to the province for which you are seeking; you may apply for a Canada PR visa straight to that province’s PNP program.
Some popular Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs);
- Saskatchewan PNP
- New Brunswick PNP
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
In-demand Jobs in Canada for Indians
The table below contains all of the information on the Top in-demand jobs in Canada, including the Average salary range.
Occupation | Average Salary in CAD |
Sales Representative | 52,000 – 64,000 |
Accountant | 63,000 – 75,000 |
Engineering Project Manager | 74,000 – 92,000 |
Business Analyst | 73,000 – 87,000 |
IT Project Manager | 92,000 – 114,000 |
Account Manager | 75,000 – 92,000 |
Software Engineer | 83,000 – 99,000 |
Human Resources | 59,000 – 71,000 |
Customer Service Representative | 37,000 – 43,000 |
Administrative Assistant | 37,000 – 46,000 |
Total cost for Canada PR from India
A Canada permanent residency visa costs between 2,500 and 3,000 CAD. The fee varies according to the number of candidates.
- The single applicant is 2,340 CAD
- Couple with no kids, it costs 4,680 CAD
- Couple with one kid costs 5,285 CAD
The table below summarizes the entire fees for a Canada PR visa.
Program | Applicants | Current fees (April 2022 – March 2024) | New fees (April 2024 – March 2026) |
Right of Permanent Residence Fee | Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $515 | $575 |
Protected persons | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
Protected persons | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 |
Protected persons | Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 |
Permit holders | Principal applicant | $335 | $375 |
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 |
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) | Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 |
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 |
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy | Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 |
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food) | Principal applicant | $850 | $950 |
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food) | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $850 | $950 |
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food) | Accompanying dependent child | $230 | $260 |
Family reunification (spouses, partners, and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Sponsorship fee | $75 | $85 |
Family reunification (spouses, partners, and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Sponsored principal applicant | $490 | $545 |
Family reunification (spouses, partners, and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Sponsored child (principal applicant under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner) | $75 | $85 |
Family reunification (spouses, partners, and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 |
Family reunification (spouses, partners, and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 |
Business (federal and Quebec) | Principal applicant | $1,625 | $1,810 |
Business (federal and Quebec) | Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $850 | $950 |
Business (federal and Quebec) | Accompanying dependent child | $230 | $260 |
Required Proof of Funds for Canada PR
Immigration aspirants must also show proof of funds known as settlement funds to demonstrate that they have the necessary funds to sustain their stay and those of their dependents after they arrive in Canada and begin earning an income in the nation. Letters from the banks where the funds are lodged are required as verification. The payment amount will differ based on the number of family members of the principal PR candidate.
Number of family members | Funds required |
1 | CAD 13,757 |
2 | CAD 17,127 |
3 | CAD 21,055 |
4 | CAD 25,564 |
5 | CAD 28,994 |
6 | CAD 32,700 |
7 | CAD 36,407 |
If more than 7, for each additional member | CAD 3,706 |
Canada PR processing time
The usual processing period for a Canada PR visa is 6 to 8 months. However, the processing period is determined by the program under which you submitted your application.
Phase-wise process timelines & costs | |||||
Phase | Process | Description | Designated Authority | TAT (Turn Around Time) | Fees Applicable |
Phase 1 | Step 1 | An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is used to verify your foreign education is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada. It is valid for 5 years. | WES | 6-8 Weeks | CAD$305 |
[CAD$ 220 for report + CAD$ 85 for international courier] | |||||
CAD$ 275 | |||||
IQAS | 20 Weeks | [CAD$ 200 for report + CAD$ 75 for international courier] | |||
CAD$ 285 | |||||
[CAD$ 200 for report + CAD$ 85 for international courier] | |||||
ICAS | 20 Weeks | CAD$ 275 | |||
[CAD$ 200 for report + CAD$ 75 for international courier] | |||||
ICES | 8 – 10 Weeks | CAD$ 210 + CAD$ 102 for Courier | |||
CAD$ 310 Fee + CAD$ 190 SVR + CAD$ 120 for ECA | |||||
CAD$ 340 Fee + CAD$ 685 Evaluation | |||||
CES | 12 Weeks | IELTS: INR 15,500 | |||
| MCC (Doctors) | 15 Weeks | CELPIP: INR 10,845 [plus taxes] | ||
PEBC (Pharmacists) | 15 Weeks | TEF: variable | |||
Step 2 | English or French Language Test | IELTS /CELPIP /TEF | Within 4 weeks | No Fee | |
Varies based on Provinces. | |||||
Application Fees per Applicant – CAD$ 850 | |||||
Phase 2 | Step 1 | EOI – Expression Of Interest | IRCC | Your Profile will be valid for 12 months. | RPRF Fees for Applicant & Spouse – CAD$ 515 |
Step 2 | PNP – Provincial Nomination Program | Provincial Authorities | Varies based on Provinces | Biometrics – CAD$ 85 per person | |
Phase 3 | Step 1 | Invitation To Apply – ITA | Main Applicant + Spouse + Children | 60 Days | Medical Fee – As applicable |
Step 2 | Passport Submission and PR Visa | Main Applicant + Spouse + Children | Up to 30 days | VFS fee as applicable |