A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries.

A permanent resident has the right to receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage, live, work or study anywhere in Canada, apply for Canadian citizenship, protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

A permanent resident must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

However, the permanent resident is not allowed to vote or run for political office and hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.

Who can apply for a permanent resident?

There are two classes under which people can apply for a permanent resident and those are: economic classes, and non-economic classes.

Applications submitted under the economic class are selected based on the applicant abilities to become economically established in Canada.

Whereas applications submitted under the non-economic class are selected based on family-reunification, social, and humanitarian objectives.