Permanent Residence

Canada's provinces and territories can choose some of the people who immigrate to their area. This is called the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). For many graduates, it is an important second route alongside Express Entry.

This page is general information only. Each province has its own rules, and they change often. Nobody can promise a nomination. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

What the PNP is

IRCC says the PNP lets provinces and territories nominate people who:

• have the skills, education and work experience to help their economy, such as skilled workers and business people
• want to live in that province or territory
• want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory has its own requirements. They also decide how many people they can nominate each year. That means a stream that is open today may close, change or fill up quickly.

Good to know: Quebec runs its own immigration programs and is not part of the PNP.

Two ways to apply

IRCC says there are two ways to apply for permanent residence through the PNP. The one you use depends on the province or territory you choose, and the province will tell you which applies to you.

1. Through Express Entry

This applies if you qualify for both the province's PNP stream and a federal program under Express Entry.

• You apply to the province for a nomination first.
• If you are nominated, you create your Express Entry profile.
• IRCC says a nomination gives you 600 extra points, which helps you get invited to apply for permanent residence.

2. Through the non-Express Entry process

This applies if you qualify for the province's PNP stream, but not for a federal Express Entry program.

• You apply to the province for a nomination first.
• If you are nominated, you then apply to IRCC online for permanent residence.

IRCC says processing times may increase if more people apply than there are spaces in the Immigration Levels Plan, which sets how many newcomers Canada plans to welcome each year.

Watch out: A nomination is not permanent residence. The province nominates you, and IRCC still makes the final decision on your application. IRCC will still check that you meet the usual admissibility rules, such as health and security.

Questions to ask before you choose a province

• Where do I really want to live? Provinces nominate people who intend to live there. Be honest about your plans.
• Where do I already have ties? For example, where you study, work, have a job offer or have family.
• What does the province need? Check which occupations and skills the province is prioritising.
• Do I meet its requirements? Look at the province's official immigration website, not an agent's summary.
• What are the dates? Many streams open and close, or have limited places.
• What is the cost of living and the job market where you want to settle?

Tip: Make a short list of two or three provinces, and check each province's official immigration page every few weeks. Streams and requirements change during the year.

Where to find the real information

• IRCC's page lets you choose a province or territory and see its PNP streams.
• Each province also has its own official immigration website, which gives the current requirements, forms and dates.

Always check the official site. Be careful with websites that look official but are run by agents.

Protect yourself

Nominations are decided by the province. Be careful if anyone:

• promises a "guaranteed nomination" or a "confirmed spot"
• asks you to pay for a job offer in exchange for a nomination
• asks you to give false information about where you live or work
• tells you that you do not need to read the province's own requirements

Watch out: False information in a nomination or PR application can lead to refusal and serious problems with future applications. Only give information that is true and that you can prove.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying to a province only because it looks "easier"
• Not checking the province's official website for current rules
• Missing a stream's opening or closing date
• Assuming a nomination guarantees permanent residence
• Letting language results, permits or passports expire while waiting
• Paying anyone who is not licensed

Where to get advice

Advice about your own application must come from a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer. Check that they are licensed before you pay.

After an Express Entry invitation, the clock starts running. You have a limited time to submit a complete application with proof of everything you claimed. Many of the documents take weeks to get, so the best time to prepare is before you are invited.

This page is general information only. It does not tell you exactly what your own application needs. Your online document checklist from IRCC is the list that applies to you. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

Why prepare early

IRCC says you have 60 days to submit your police certificates, and IRCC advises candidates to start their police checks as soon as they are in the pool. Medical exams and some documents from other countries can also take time. If you wait for the invitation to start, you may run short of time.

The main groups of documents

Every case is different, but most applicants prepare documents in these groups:

• Identity and travel documents. A valid passport and the other identity documents IRCC asks for.
• Language test results. These must be valid when you apply (see "Building your PR profile").
• Education documents. Your certificates and, if you use foreign education for points, your educational credential assessment report.
• Work experience proof. Employer letters, contracts and pay slips that show your job title, dates, hours and main duties.
• Police certificates. See below.
• Medical exam. See below.
• Proof of funds. Some applicants must show they have enough money, but this depends on the program and your situation. Your IRCC checklist will tell you whether it applies.
• Documents about your family, if you have a partner or children with you.
• Other documents, such as photos, or a request letter in special cases.

Watch out: Only the checklist IRCC generates for your own application is final. Do not rely on a general list from a website or an agent.

Police certificates

A police certificate shows whether you have a criminal record. IRCC explains these rules:

• Express Entry candidates have 60 days to submit their police certificates.
• For the country where you currently live, the certificate must be issued no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application. IRCC may ask for updated certificates if processing takes longer.
• For any other country, the certificate must be issued after the last time you lived there for 6 months in a row or more, since you turned 18.
• You do not need certificates for the time before you were 18, or for time spent in Canada.
• Some countries only issue a certificate if you have a request letter from IRCC. IRCC explains what to upload in that case.
• Certificates must be scanned copies of the originals, in colour. IRCC says certified true copies or unauthorised copies will not be accepted and will result in your application being rejected.
• Some countries put an expiry date on their certificates. IRCC says to include them and explains when it accepts them.

If you cannot get a certificate in time, IRCC says that in very rare cases it may accept a letter of explanation with proof that you made your best effort. Do not count on this.

Tip: If you have lived in more than one country, make a list of every country, with the dates you lived there. It will save time when you request each certificate.

The medical exam

IRCC says that if you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam. For Express Entry, IRCC says that from 21 August 2025, you must complete an upfront medical exam before you apply. You contact an IRCC-approved panel physician directly to book it. Your own family doctor cannot do it unless they are on IRCC's panel list.

For other permanent residence programs, IRCC tells applicants to wait for its instructions before going for an exam, and then gives a deadline.

Watch out: Medical results can be valid for a limited time. Check IRCC's page for how long yours will remain valid, so you do not have to repeat the exam.

Keeping your documents consistent

• Names, dates of birth and places must match across all documents.
• Use a clear, colour scan of each document, in the file type IRCC asks for.
• Keep original documents safe, because IRCC can ask for them.
• If a document is not in English or French, check what IRCC requires for translations.

Be truthful

Everything you upload must be genuine and true. IRCC can check documents, and false information can lead to refusal and bans from applying. Never use a fake document, and never let someone change a date, a job title or duties for you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for the invitation before requesting police certificates
• Forgetting a country where you lived for 6 months or more
• Using a certificate that is too old for the rules
• Submitting a certified copy instead of a colour scan of the original
• Letting a passport, test result or medical exam expire
• Employer letters that list a job title but not duties
• Documents with different spellings of your name
• Paying someone who is not licensed

Where to get advice

Advice about your own application must come from a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer. Check that they are licensed before you pay.

Submitting your application is a big moment, but it is not the end. This stage explains what usually happens next, what you must do, and what can slow things down.

This page is general information only. Every case is different. For advice on your own application, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

What IRCC checks first

IRCC says that once it receives your application, it makes sure you have:

• filled out your application completely and correctly
• paid your processing fee
• met all the requirements
• included all the documents

If your application is not complete, IRCC says it will reject it and refund your processing fees. This is why the documents stage matters.

Your IRCC account is your main contact

IRCC says it contacts you through your IRCC secure account. It uses the account to:

• confirm that it has reviewed your application
• tell you to give your biometrics
• send you updates on the status of your application
• ask you for more documents, if needed
• set up an interview, if needed
• tell you what to do next

Tip: Check your account and your email regularly, including your spam folder. Messages from IRCC often have a deadline.

Biometrics (fingerprints and photo)

IRCC says that if you are between 14 and 79 years old, you must give your fingerprints and photo for every permanent residence application, even if you gave them before and they are still valid.

• In most cases, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application, or you may have delays.
• IRCC's published biometrics fee is CAD $85 for one person, with a maximum of CAD $170 for families applying at the same time.
• If your application is complete, IRCC sends a letter confirming you need to give your biometrics.
• You have 30 days from the date on the letter to give them.

Watch out: Fees can change. Check IRCC's fee page on the day you apply.

How long does it take?

IRCC has said that it processes most Express Entry applications within 6 months or less after receiving a complete application. Processing times change, and some applications take longer.

IRCC says your application can be delayed if:

• your family situation is not clear
• you need to submit more documents
• you need to attend an interview

Check IRCC's website for current processing times, and be careful with websites that promise to "speed up" your case.

Checking your application status

You can check your status through your IRCC account. IRCC also has an application status tracker that shows more detail about each step.

Watch out: Never share your IRCC account details with an unofficial "tracker" website or with someone you do not know.

You must report changes

While your application is processed, IRCC says to use its web form to tell it about changes as soon as possible. For example, you must tell IRCC if:

• you want to withdraw your application
• your family changes, such as a birth, an adoption, a marriage or a divorce
• you change your immigration representative
• your mailing address, email address or phone number changes
• a province withdraws your nomination, or you no longer plan to live in the province that nominated you
• your job or job offer changes
• you get a new educational credential
• you get updated language test results

Tip: If you change your contact details, keep checking your old email and phone until IRCC confirms it has updated them.

Be truthful

IRCC says that if you are not truthful in your Express Entry profile or your permanent residence application, it may refuse your application, find you inadmissible, and bar you from applying to come to Canada for 5 years.

If your work permit is about to expire

If your current work permit is about to expire after you apply, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. This permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision. See "When your PGWP is ending" in the Post-Graduation Work Permit journey for the main points.

The decision

IRCC says its decision is based on whether you:

• are eligible for the program
• are admissible to Canada, based on your medical exam, police certificates and background checks

IRCC tells you the decision through your IRCC secure account.

If your application is approved

IRCC says you must pay your right of permanent residence fee if you have not done so, because it cannot approve your application until all fees are paid. The next stage explains what happens after approval.

If your application is rejected or refused

IRCC says that to be considered in future rounds of invitations, you must fill out and submit a new Express Entry profile, meet the eligibility criteria and be accepted into the pool again.

If you receive a refusal, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer as soon as possible. They can explain your options and any deadlines for your situation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not checking your IRCC account or email
• Missing the 30-day deadline for biometrics
• Forgetting to report a change, such as a new address or a new job
• Moving, changing jobs or changing family status without checking how it affects your application
• Trusting someone who says they can "speed up" or "guarantee" your application
• Sharing your account password with an unofficial website
• Paying someone who is not licensed

Where to get advice

Advice about your own application must come from a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer. Check that they are licensed before you pay.

Approval is the moment you have worked towards. This stage explains what happens next, how you become a permanent resident, and what you must do to keep your status.

Good to know: This page is general information only. Details depend on whether you are in Canada or outside Canada when your application is approved. Always follow the instructions in your IRCC account.

Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

When IRCC approves your application, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). This document proves you have been approved.

• If you are outside Canada when you are approved, IRCC mails you a COPR. If you are from a country that needs a visa, you also receive a permanent resident visa.
• If you are in Canada when you are approved, IRCC makes an electronic COPR (e-COPR) available in the Permanent Residence Portal.

Your COPR has your details and your photograph. IRCC says to check that the information matches your passport. If there is a mistake, contact IRCC through your account.

If you are outside Canada

• You show your COPR to the border services officer when you arrive in Canada.
• IRCC says it cannot extend your COPR, so you must travel to Canada before it expires.

If you are already in Canada

This is the situation for many graduates who apply from inside Canada. IRCC explains that in most cases, it confirms your status through the Permanent Residence Portal. Here is what to know:

• You do not need to do anything until IRCC contacts you by the email or phone number you gave in your application.
• Emails will come from an address ending in cic.gc.ca.
• IRCC will ask you to confirm your email address and to confirm that you are physically in Canada.
• The portal is separate from your IRCC secure account. IRCC says not to create your own account in the Permanent Residence Portal, because this can delay the process. IRCC creates one for you. Follow the instructions in its email.
• You must tell IRCC if you leave Canada before it grants you permanent resident status.
• After you become a permanent resident, your e-COPR is available in the portal, and IRCC asks for a photo so it can start making your PR card.

Watch out: Be careful with emails or messages that claim to be from IRCC but ask for money or your passwords. Use only the instructions in your official IRCC account and the official email address.

Your PR card

IRCC says you do not need to apply for your first PR card. It mails the card to the Canadian address you gave in your application.

Tip: Make sure the address on your application is one where you can receive mail, and tell IRCC if it changes.

• While you wait, you can use your printed and signed e-COPR to prove that you are a permanent resident.
• Your PR card proves that you have PR status in Canada.
• If your PR card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for a replacement.
• Your PR card expires, but IRCC says your status does not expire when the card does. You will need to renew the card, though.

Travelling after you become a PR

IRCC says that if you are travelling outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before you return by commercial vehicle, such as a plane. Check IRCC's page before you plan any trip.

Keeping your status: the residency obligation

IRCC says that to keep your PR status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years.

• The 730 days do not need to be continuous.
• Some time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days. IRCC has a tool to check this.
• Even if you do not meet the obligation, IRCC says you remain a permanent resident until an official decision is made on your status. IRCC does not change your status automatically, and it always informs you.

Watch out: Spending long periods outside Canada can put your status at risk. Before you plan a long stay abroad, check IRCC's rules or speak to a licensed professional.

Keep these documents safe

• your COPR or e-COPR
• your PR card
• your passport
• your IRCC account details and emails
• the documents from your application

Common mistakes to avoid

• Creating your own Permanent Residence Portal account
• Ignoring or missing emails from IRCC
• Leaving Canada before your status is granted, without telling IRCC
• Letting your COPR expire before you land
• Not checking that your COPR matches your passport
• Believing that an expired PR card ends your status
• Travelling without a valid PR card or travel document
• Spending long periods outside Canada without checking the 730-day rule

What comes next

Becoming a permanent resident is the start of your life in Canada. In the next journey, Settling in Canada, we look at the practical steps that come next. Citizenship is a separate step with its own rules, covered in the Canadian Citizenship journey.