How PR Visa Is Different From Work Permit

A PR is provided to foreign nationals who have immigrated to Canada but are granted the country’s status of permanent residents by the government. Since the 2 words are entirely at odds with each other, temporary visitors like students don’t receive a PR.

A work permit may be a legal instrument permitting a far off national to interact employed while inside Canada. Each year, Canada issues about half 1,000,000 work permits to temporary foreign workers around the world.

Discover the contrasting features of Permanent Resident Visas (PR Visas) and Work Permits, two immigration options that provide different paths to living and dealing abroad. In this comparative guide, we’ll unveil the differences between PR Visas and Work Permits, to facilitate your informed decisions about your immigration choices and plans to Canada.

What is a PR Visa?

A PR Visa in Canada grants foreign nationals permanent residency, allowing them to measure, work, study, and access social benefits indefinitely. It also provides a pathway to Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.The most common pathways to get a PR Visa in Canada include the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship programs, each with its own eligibility criteria and application processes.

What is a Work Visa?

Canada working papers Visa is an immigration document that permits foreign nationals to figure in Canada for a selected job or employer for a limited period. working papers status may be a temporary authorization and doesn’t grant permanent residency. differing types of labor Permits in Canada include – the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), the International Mobility Program (IMP), and therefore the Post-Graduation working papers Program (PGWP), etc, each with its eligibility criteria and requirements.

Difference Between PR Visa and Working Permit

A Permanent Resident (PR) visa and a piece Permit are both immigration options that allow individuals to measure and add a far off country. However, they differ significantly in their purpose, duration, and benefits. the most differences between the 2 are given below :

Permanent Residence

1. Legal Status

Allows immigrants to legally live and work anywhere in Canada

2. Duration

Indefinite, with PR Card issued for five years (renewable)

3. Citizenship Path

Offers a pathway to Canadian citizenship

4. Benefits & Privileges

Same rights and privileges as Canadian citizens

5. Family Sponsorship

Dependent relations are granted PR rights

6. Healthcare Coverage

Eligible for universal health care program

7. Social Security Benefits

Eligible for various Social Security benefits

8. Educational Benefits

Children have access to free education

9. Job Search & Work Authorization

No need for a Canadian job offer or a replacement working papers

10. Voting & Political Rights

Cannot vote or run political office

11. Maintenance Requirements

Must meet residency requirements to take care of PR

12. Application Process

Typically takes 6-8 months for a PR application

13. Travel Requirements

Can travel in and out of Canada without TRV/ETA

Work Permit

1. Legal Status

Specific authorization for a delegated job or business for a limited period

2. Duration

Temporary, typically up to 4 years

3. Citizenship Path

No direct path to citizenship

4. Benefits & Privileges

Limited access to social benefits

5. Family Sponsorship

Family members need separate permits (e.g., study permit)

6. Healthcare Coverage

May need private insurance or employer-provided coverage

7. Social Security Benefits

Limited or no access to Social Security benefits

8. Educational Benefits

Study permits needed for children’s education

9. Job Search & Work Authorization

Specific job/employer authorization required

10. Voting & Political Rights

No voting rights or eligibility for political office

11. Maintenance Requirements

Work permit tied to job duration and employer

12. Application Process

Work permit time interval varies counting on the program

13. Travel Requirements

WP holders may have a short lived Resident Visa (TRV)

Convert Work Permit to PR in Canada

Transitioning from a piece visa to permanent residency in Canada is feasible, though it’s going to be time-consuming and disruptive. Various programs allow you to use PR if you’re working in Canada.

The most well-known is the CEC or Canadian Experience Class. Before applying for PR under this technique, applicants must have a minimum of two years of labor experience in Canada, a postgraduate degree from a Canadian university, and one year of labor experience.

Quebec Experience Class is another program almost like the CEC. If you’ve worked as a talented worker in Quebec for a minimum of a year and speak French at an intermediate level, you’re eligible to use this program.

Suppose you’re fortunate enough to accumulate a permanent employment offer from a Canadian employer. Therein case, you’ll apply for permanent residence (PR) under the Federal trained worker Program (FSWP), but you’ll have to earn the required number of points. The idea for awarding points is your qualification, age, language proficiency, etc.

Application Process : Canada PR Visa

Create an Express Entry profile and complete the web application once you’ve satisfied all the elemental eligibility requirements, like finishing your Education Credentials Assessment (ECA), getting the specified IELTS score, gathering experience certificates, and other similar things.

You will then receive the Invitation to use (ITA), followed by some background checks conducted by the relevant authorities. you ought to receive your PR confirmation during a few days if everything goes perfectly. you’ll then be required to submit your passport for stamping.

You cannot apply for the PR unless you’ve got 67 points, so we strongly advise you to see your eligibility using online tools before moving further with the method.

Cost : Canada PR Visa

The total cost for a Canada PR visa is 2,500 CAD – 3,000 CAD. This cost varies to support the amount of applicants. it’s the sum of your application fees for you and your spouse and dependents, fees for checkup, English test, ECA fees, PCC fees, etc

Processing time Of Canada PR visa

The time interval for a Canada PR visa can vary counting on the sort of application and therefore the applicant’s circumstances. As of July 2024, the typical time interval for many permanent residency applications is 12–18 months.

Conclusion

As you’ll see, there are both parallels and considerable distinctions between Canadian permanent residency (PR) and Canadian working papers (WP) statuses. PR visas provide long-term or indefinite permission to reside in a country, with the aim of settlement and eventual citizenship. Work permits, on the opposite hand, are temporary authorizations tied to specific job offers and specialize in employment needs. While PR visa holders enjoy more job flexibility, social benefits, and a pathway to citizenship, working paper holders have limited job flexibility and access to social benefits. Individuals seeking permanent relocation to Canada are typically better fitted to Provincial Nominee Programs that give PR status, whilst those seeking temporary skilled labor in Canada may prefer WP status.