What's the Difference Between PR and Work Permit
In order to legally live and work in Canada, a foreign-born worker must be a naturalized citizen of Canada, have Canadian permanent residency (PR) or possess a valid Canada Work Permit.
Some wonder if having Canada PR differs from having a Canada Work Permit.
This article will discuss the differences between a Canada PR and a Canada Work Permit, including the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the benefits and limitations of each.
Table of Contents
Is having a work permit the same as being a permanent resident of Canada?
There is a difference between holding a temporary Canada Work Permit and being a permanent resident of Canada.
A Canadian Work Permit allows a temporary resident of Canada, such as a temporary foreign worker or an international student, to work legally in Canada for a limited amount of time according to specific regulations.
The Employer-Specific Work Permit generally requires a favorable Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a qualifying job offer by a Canadian employer, and it allows a temporary foreign worker to work in Canada for a particular qualifying employer and for a specified length of time.
The Open Work Permit generally does not require the LMIA and authorizes a temporary foreign worker to work in Canada for any qualifying employer.
A Canada Work Permit will often have conditions written on it (depending on the circumstances), such as:
- Where the person can work in Canada
- The kind of work, the individual, can perform
- How long can the person work in Canada
- The name of the employer the individual can work for
In addition to possessing a valid Canada Work Permit (which authorizes Canadian employment), a temporary Canadian resident will normally need to hold a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or possess another legal resident status to live in Canada for a limited length of time.
There may be an option for the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and Work Permit to be renewed from inside Canada if the temporary foreign worker satisfies the eligibility requirements (this should be done far enough in advance while the TRV and Canada Work Permit are valid).
Depending on a temporary foreign worker’s occupation, education, work experience in Canada, and other factors, there may be an opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residency, such as through the Canadian Experience Class Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program or another Canadian immigration program.
A permanent resident of Canada is authorized to live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited period and has many benefits that a temporary Canadian resident does not have.
Canadian permanent residents do not need to possess a Canada Work Permit since they are already authorized to work in Canada permanently.
Furthermore, permanent residents of Canada do not need to renew their status (which is permanent, as long as they comply with the residency requirements and other regulations); however, the Permanent Resident Card, which is carried as identification and proof of permanent residency, is generally issued for five years and needs to be renewed.
Eligibility requirements for PR vs. work permit
For a foreign worker to become a Canadian permanent resident, he or she must satisfy general eligibility requirements and specific criteria for the particular Canadian immigration program.
The general requirements for a foreign worker to become a Canadian permanent resident usually include the following:
- No criminal record (police certificates may be required)
- Good health (medical exams may be required)
- Proof of funds to show the foreign worker can support himself/herself and his family after arriving in Canada.
The specific requirements for a foreign worker to become a permanent resident of Canada may include:
- Having an occupation that is eligible for the particular Canadian immigration program
- Having at least a minimum amount of work experience in the eligible occupation
- Possessing the relevant education/training for the eligible occupation
- Being within a specific “working age” range
- Receiving at least the minimum amount of points (for points-based Canadian immigration programs)
Please note that this is an overview of the specific eligibility requirements foreign workers may need to satisfy for permanent residency in Canada and other or different criteria may need to be met, depending on the particular Canadian immigration program.
Duration of stay for Canada PR and Canada Work Permit holders
- Canadian Permanent Residents – unlimited amount of time
- Canada Work Permit Holders – limited length of time
Benefits of Canada PR compared to Canada Work Permit
Canadian Permanent Residency Benefits:
- Live and work in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
- Access world-class Canadian education programs
- Receive free or subsidized public healthcare (there may be a waiting period)
- Sponsor eligible family members for Canada PR
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Get the opportunity to buy a home in Canada
- Have the option to start a Canadian business
- Experience equality and freedom in one of the most peaceful countries
- Enjoy Canada’s beautiful beaches, forests, mountains, lakes and other scenery
- Apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for 3 years
Canada Work Permit Benefits:
- Live and work in Canada for a limited length of time
- Receive free or subsidized public healthcare (there may be a waiting period)
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Experience equality and freedom in one of the most peaceful countries
- Enjoy Canada’s beautiful beaches, forests, mountains, lakes and other scenery
- Renew your Canada Work Permit and TRV if you meet the criteria
- Apply for Canada PR if you satisfy the Canadian work experience and other requirements
Job opportunities for Canada PR and Canada Work Permit holders
Thousands of jobs are available to Canadian permanent residents and Canada Work Permit holders.
There is a shortage of qualified workers for many different types of jobs in Canada in all business sectors, including:
- Accounting and Finance
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Maintenance and Repair
- Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Sciences
- Transportation
Canadian permanent residents can work for almost any employer in Canada (with some exceptions due to national security reasons).
Canada Work Permit holders with an Open Work Permit can work for almost any Canadian employer (with some exceptions due to national security reasons), while those with an Employer-Specific Work Permit can work in Canada for a particular employer.
Cost of obtaining Canada PR and Canada Work Permit
Foreign workers will need to pay government fees and non-governmental costs when obtaining Canada PR or a Canada Work Permit.
The exact costs will depend on whether the foreign worker is applying for Canadian permanent residency or a Canada Work Permit; which Canadian immigration program is being used for (if obtaining Canada PR); how many of the foreign worker’s family members will be moving to Canada; which country the foreign worker and his/her family are coming from; where they will be living in Canada; and other factors.
In general, the costs of obtaining a Canada PR through economic immigration programs for foreign workers may include:
- Canadian Permanent Residency Application Fee = $850 CAD (the foreign worker and spouse/partner must pay)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee = $515 CAD (the foreign worker and spouse/partner must pay)
- Dependent Child Fee = $230 CAD for each child
- Biometrics Fee = $85 CAD or $170 CAD for two or more in a family
- Permanent Resident Card = $50 CAD for each person
- Non-government costs may involve document translations, Education Credential Assessments, medical exams, travel to Canada, etc.
The costs of obtaining a Canada Work Permit may involve:
- Temporary Resident Permit Fee = $200 CAD for each person
- Canada Work Permit Fee = $155 CAD
- Biometrics Fee = $85 CAD or $170 CAD for two or more in a family
- Non-government costs may involve document translations, Education Credential Assessments, medical exams, travel to Canada, etc.
Processing time for Canada PR and Canada Work Permit applications
The application processing time will depend on such factors as:
- whether the foreign worker is applying for Canadian permanent residency or a Canada Work Permit;
- which particular Canadian immigration program is being applied for (if applying for Canada PR);
- the foreign worker’s country of citizenship (especially in the case of a Canada Work Permit);
- how busy the Canadian immigration agency is with processing applications (i.e., if there is a large backlog);
- or other variables.
The processing time for Canada PR, when foreign workers are applying through the Express Entry system, is usually within six months of filing a complete Canadian permanent residency application (the entire process from start to finish can take about 6-18 months since there are various steps involved before the Canada PR application can be filed for Express Entry).
The application processing time for non-Express Entry Canadian immigration programs for skilled immigrants (such as the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program) is generally around 6-12 months.
Generally, the processing time for a Canada Work Permit is approximately 3-36 weeks, with the foreign worker’s country of citizenship being a key determining factor.
Renewal and maintenance requirements - Canada PR Vs Canada Work Permit
Canadian Permanent Residency:
- Canada’s PR status is permanent. However, the Permanent Resident Card must be renewed every five years.
- To maintain Canada’s PR status, you must live in Canada for a minimum of 730 days in five years.
- Furthermore, it would help if you did not become inadmissible to Canada (e.g., by violating the law, for medical reasons, etc.).
Canada Work Permit:
- There is usually an option to renew a Canada Work Permit if the foreign worker meets the criteria.
- The foreign worker must comply with the Canada Work Permit and Temporary Resident Visa terms.
- Maintaining temporary foreign worker status also requires not becoming inadmissible to Canada.
- A foreign worker with a certain amount of skilled work experience in Canada who meets all the criteria may be able to apply for Canada PR (for example, through the Canadian Experience Class Program).
How to choose between Canada PR and Canada Work Permitt
When you choose between Canadian permanent residency or a Canada Work Permit, consider the following:
Canadian Permanent Residency:
- Live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
- The application process generally takes 6-18 months from start to finish
- Your spouse/partner and dependent children can live in Canada with you if approved
- Receive free or subsidized public healthcare (there may be a waiting period)
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Opportunities to buy a home and start a business in Canada
- Sponsor eligible family members for Canadian permanent residency
- Enjoy equality and freedom in a peaceful and beautiful country
- Option to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for 3 years
Canada Work Permit:
- Live and work in Canada for a limited length of time
- Application process generally takes 3-36 weeks from start to finish
- Your spouse/partner and dependent children can live in Canada with you if approved
- Receive free or subsidized public healthcare (there may be a waiting period)
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Enjoy equality and freedom in a peaceful and beautiful country
- Renew the Canada Work Permit and TRV if the criteria are satisfied
- Apply for Canada PR if the eligibility requirements are met
Final Words
There is a strong demand for skilled foreign workers to help fill thousands of jobs in Canada temporarily and permanently.
The Canada Work Permit is a relatively fast and easy way for temporary foreign workers to live and work in Canada compared to applying for permanent residency.
Applying for Canadian permanent residency as a skilled foreign worker involves multiple steps and generally takes longer than applying for a Canada Work Permit; however, Canada PR is permanent and many benefits are available, such as applying for Canadian citizenship.
If you are not sure which Canadian visa program is right for you, don’t worry!
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your best option to live and work in Canada and guide you through the application process if you qualify.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is PR different from a work permit?
Yes, Canadian permanent residency is different from holding a temporary Canada Work Permit. Canadian permanent residents can live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited period of time and can receive many benefits, including the option to become a Canadian citizen after living in Canada for three years during a five-year period and satisfying other criteria. A temporary foreign worker with a Canada Work Permit can work in Canada for a limited period of time and enjoy many of the benefits of living in Canada, plus there may be an option to renew the Canada Work Permit and TRV or apply for Canada PR if the criteria are satisfied.
Is it better to get a Canada Work Permit or Canada PR?
Only you can answer that question, because it depends on what your goals are for living and working in Canada. If you want to live and work in Canada for a few years and then return to your own country (or live and work in a different country), then you may want to consider obtaining a Canada Work Permit. On the other hand, if you would like to immigrate to Canada to live and work long-term and, perhaps, become a Canadian citizen one day, then you may want to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
