Obtaining permanent residence
in Canada
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Permanent residence entitles the holder to live, work and study anywhere in Canada, without the need for a permit linked to an employer or an educational institution. It can be obtained through several routes: federal economic programs, the Quebec selection process, family reunification and, in exceptional cases, on humanitarian grounds.
The choice of route determines everything else: the criteria, the evidence to be provided, and the timetable. An application submitted under the wrong scheme is not simply delayed; it is rejected. This is the first thing to establish, before filling in any forms.
Immigration rules change regularly. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a personalized assessment of your situation, please schedule a consultation.
Under what circumstances can you apply for permanent residence?
There is no single route to permanent residence. At federal level, Express Entry brings together several programs aimed at different candidate profiles: skilled workers, skilled tradespeople, and those who already have Canadian work experience. Successful applicants are selected through rounds of invitations, the criteria and priorities for which change regularly.
This is one of the characteristics of this system: the way in which a profile is assessed today is not necessarily the way it will be assessed in a year’s time. A strategy devised two years ago may need to be reviewed.
This is one of the characteristics of this system: the way in which a profile is assessed today is not necessarily the way it will be assessed in a year’s time. A strategy devised two years ago may need to be reviewed.
Several criteria may apply, depending on your circumstances. We work with you to determine which path is best suited to your profile, and at what stage.
What are the requirements for applying for permanent residence?
In economic programs, everything hinges on formal evidence: results from a recognized language test, an assessment of qualifications obtained abroad, certificates of work experience detailing the tasks actually carried out, and proof of funds where required by the program. For the case officer, poorly documented experience is tantamount to no experience at all.
In Quebec, knowledge of French is a key criterion, with separate requirements for the principal applicant and, where applicable, for any accompanying person. A commitment to financial self-sufficiency during the initial stages of settlement is also part of the framework.
Certain professions are regulated: practicing them requires applying to the relevant professional body, which operates according to its own timetable and should be planned for in advance.
In addition, all applicants must undergo security and background checks, a medical examination, biometric data collection and pay government fees set by IRCC. A consultation allows us to assess your application in accordance with the current rules.
What other steps are required whilst your application is being processed?
In Express Entry, the timetable is unforgiving. A profile added to the pool has a limited lifespan, and a call for applications opens a short window in which to submit a complete application. You need to prepare for these deadlines in advance, not at the last minute: gathering the required documents often takes longer than you might think.
Next come the standard steps: requests for additional documents, biometric data collection, a medical examination, security checks and, in some cases, an interview. Any changes to your family or employment circumstances must be reported: failure to do so may be treated as a false declaration.
Once you have obtained permanent residence, you must maintain it. It comes with obligations and administrative procedures that you need to be aware of from the outset, particularly if citizenship is part of your plans. We handle the follow-up, respond to IRCC on your behalf – including in response to a letter regarding procedural fairness – and support you right through to citizenship if you wish.
Support tailored to your circumstances
Analysis of your profile
We assess your personal and professional circumstances to identify opportunities for permanent residence.
Personalised guidance
We help you to better understand the various programs and determine the route best suited to your plans.
Thoroughly prepared application
We assist you in preparing your application and the necessary documents.
Support right through to a successful outcome
Transparent and personalized support to guide you through the various stages of your immigration project.
Our team
Alice Mardelet-Santamaria
Lawyer and founder of the firm
Chloé yin
Chartered Canadian Immigration Consultant (CRIC)
Our areas of practice
The questions our customers ask us most often.
Since 25 March 2025, a job offer no longer earns additional points in the Global Ranking System. It remains relevant for certain programs as an eligibility requirement.
A profile submitted to the Express Entry pool and an invitation to apply are each valid for a limited period. Once this period has expired, the process must be started again.
Yes, knowledge of French is valued, both at federal level – notably through rounds of invitations based on French language proficiency – and in Quebec, where it is one of the requirements for selection programs.
No. Quebec selects its own candidates for permanent immigration, notably through the PSTQ and the PEQ, before the federal application for permanent residence is submitted. The best route to take depends on your profile.
Permanent resident status comes with a residence requirement calculated over a five-year period. Not all periods of absence are treated in the same way: a consultation will enable us to assess your case in accordance with the current rules.
Immigration rules change regularly. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a personalized assessment of your situation, please schedule a consultation.
Your future in Canada starts here.
Every immigration journey is unique. Our team offers you personalized, thorough and compassionate support to help you move forward with confidence at every stage of your journey.
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Associated office — Paris, France
