Apply for Permanent Residence

You can only apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada if the IRB-RPD or the IRB-RAD approve your claim.

It is important to remember that the PR application process may take a long time. The processing times are different for each person. This is normal.

Important!

Ask a legal representative to look at your PR application before sending it to IRCC. If you do not have a legal representative, contact a local settlement agency for help finding one.

Start Your Application

You can apply online using the Permanent Residence Portal or send forms by mail or courier.

How to start your application on the PR Portal

• Create your account.
• Sign in to your account.
• Select the following in the drop-down menus:
  • Program under which you are applying: “Permanent Residence, including Refugee Resettlement”.
  • Program under which you are applying (2): “Refugee”.
  • Category you’re applying under: In Canada – “Protected Person”.

  Prepare the documents

  To apply, you must prepare:

  • Document Checklist (IMM 5286 E)
  • Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
  • Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP-E)
  • Protected Persons and Convention Refugees (IMM 0008: Schedule 14)
  • Background/Declaration (IMM 5669 E : Schedule A)
  • Additional Family Information (IMM 5406 E)
  • Use of a Representative (IMM 5476 E)
  • A copy of the Notice of Decision giving you Convention Refugee or Protected Person status in Canada
  • One recent two-sided digital photo (passport size stamped at the back by the studio)
  • Photocopies of your identity documents that were taken from you:
    • passport (even if it is expired),
    • travel documents,
    • translated birth certificate, and
    • other identity documents such as a translated marriage certificate.

    Important!

    Do not get a new passport or renew the one you have if your passport is expired. If you apply for a new passport or renew your current passport, you risk losing your protected person status. See Section 7.4.

    Dependants and family members

    If you have dependants inside or outside Canada, you must fill out a separate set of forms for them. You must prepare:

    Tip

    Make paper and digital copies of all the final signed documents to keep for your own records before sending in your application.

    • Document Checklist (IMM 5286 E)
    • Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008 E)
    • Protected Persons and Convention Refugees (IMM 0008: Schedule 14)
    • Background/Declaration (IMM 5669 E : Schedule A)
    • Additional Family Information (IMM 5406 E)
    • Use of a Representative (IMM 5476 E), if applicable
    • One two-sided digital photo (passport size)
    • Photocopies of their passport, travel documents, or identity documents
    • Photocopies of documents that prove their relationship to you, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or common-law declaration (Form 5409)

    Good to know…

    Your child’s age on the date you made your refugee claim is “locked in.” This means if they turn 23 years old years old before you get PR status, it does not matter. Talk to a legal representative if you are not sure about the date.

    In your application, you must update IRCC with the names of a spouse or any dependent family members you have gained since you arrived in Canada.

    You may not know where some family members are, but you can list them in your application. They will have one year from the day you get PR to apply for it themselves. Only someone who IRCC considers a family member can do this, not a de facto family member. Talk to a lawyer if you have family members who are de facto family members.

    Translate documents

    For any document (including any stamps and seals) that is not in English or French, you must send in:

    • The English or French translation. See the IRCC website to follow their requirements to translate documents.
    • If you cannot get a certified translator for your identification documents, you can use a non-certified translator. If you do this you will need:
      • an affidavit from the person who did the translation, and
      • a certified copy of the original document. It must be certified in Canada by a notary public, a commissioner of oaths, or a commissioner for taking affidavits.

      Pay fees

      You must pay a fee when you apply for PR for yourself and for any family members. You pay all fees online. To pay your fees you need:

      • An email address to set up a login and password,
      • Access to a computer to save your receipt,
      • Access to a printer (to print the receipt), and
      • A credit card, Debit MasterCard® or Visa® Debit card.

      When you are ready to pay:

      • Go to Online Payment.
      • Follow the instructions.
        • At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with a barcode.
        • Print two copies.
        • Save a copy on your computer.
        • Email yourself a copy.
        • Attach a printed copy of this receipt to your application.
        • Keep the other copies of the receipt for your records.

        Important!

        Do not log out without first printing the receipt! The printed receipt is proof that you paid. It is a good idea to write your UCI number, date of birth, and your full name (if the credit card used to make the payment does not have your name on it).

        Do not forget to also pay for biometric fees when required.

        Biometrics

        Tip

        You must bring a copy of the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point. Give your biometrics as soon as possible. Nothing happens with your application until you send them in.

        If you have to give biometrics (such as fingerprints), after you have applied for permanent residency and paid your biometric fees, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). This letter will tell you it is time to make an appointment to give biometrics. The letter will contain a link to designated Service Canada locations where you can go to give your biometrics in Canada and overseas.

        Give your biometrics as soon as possible. Nothing happens with your application until you send them in.

        Important!

        Children under the age of 14 and adults over the age of 79 do not have to have biometrics taken.

        Send in your application

        You can apply and send in your forms through the online Permanent Residence Portal.

        You can also send your paper application to IRCC by mail or courier:

        Mailing address

        Tip

        Remember to always make copies of all your final signed documents to keep for your own records.

        Protected Persons in Canada application
        Box 12153 STN A
        Sydney, NS
        B1P 0L1

        Courier address

        Protected Persons in Canada application
        3050 Wilson Avenue
        New Waterford, NS
        B1H 5V8

        Final steps

        If you properly submitted the required information and documents for your PR application, you will receive a letter from IRCC that tells you if you are approved for PR.

        Your PR card will arrive in the mail. It is important to keep your address updated with IRCC so you do not miss this letter!

        Sometimes, IRCC asks to interview you. They may want you to confirm facts or send them more information. Once IRCC has what they need, you could also obtain your PR status at a final interview.

        Good to know…

        You get back your original passports after you get PR status. You must make sure you ask for them once your permanent residency is confirmed.

        

        Legal review by: Claudia Andrea Molina, Lawyer, Cabinet Molina Inc., May 2024