The Canadian Green Card (PR Card) is the top concern of those who intend to live permanently or settle in Canada. This is a very easy card to apply for if you know the basic information about the card as well as how to issue a green card. Read the following article to better understand what a Canadian green card is and how to get one.
What is a Canadian Green Card?
The Canadian Green Card is also known as the Canadian permanent resident card. With a Canadian green card, you will be recognized as a lawful permanent resident in Canada.
Those who are granted green cards are also known as permanent residents. Most people who intend to live permanently in Canada are very interested in this green card.
A Canadian green card is a plastic card, the size of a wallet, full of basic information such as height, eye color, gender, cardholder’s photo, signature…. At the same time, this card is also encrypted with other personal data of the cardholder.
Foreign residents, after living, working and studying in Canada for a period of time, will need to be granted a green card to be able to legally qualify for residence and enjoy the basic benefits of a citizen like a foreigner. native.
Canadian permanent resident card is valid for 5 years. When the card expires, you need to renew the new card. If the permanent resident has naturalized, there is no need to renew the green card.
Not only Canada, in any country you also need a green card or a residence card as a form of identification to prove that you live legally in that country.
Benefits of having a Canadian green card
Owning a Canadian green card you will enjoy many benefits such as:
- The freedom to live, study and work in the entire territory of Canada.
- Be treated equally, have the rights of citizens protected under Canadian law
- The green card gives you unlimited entry and exit.
- Fully enjoy social security, maternity, unemployment, pension, home loan, low interest car purchase…
- Especially free medical care. In addition, your family also enjoys this health policy completely free of charge.
- Completely free education costs for permanent residents until the age of 18.
- Canadian permanent residents can sponsor relatives including spouses, children, parents to live in Canada.
Requirements to get a Canadian green card
Conditions for granting a Canadian green card are of great interest to many people. To be granted a green card, you need to belong to one of the following basic target groups:
For international students
International students who need to study at College, University or graduate school, then work for 1-2 years will be eligible for a Canadian green card.
The provinces or the federal government have a lot of policies to make it easier for international students to get a green card.
For skilled workers
Canada is considered a fertile land for skilled workers to work here. The Canadian government also provides many policies to attract foreign workers. If you are a stable skilled worker, you can easily get a Canadian green card.
For investors and entrepreneurs
Canada’s provinces and federations now have many programs for investors and entrepreneurs. However, you need a certain amount of capital and a specific provincial or federal investment plan.
Moreover, after being granted a green card, you can also sponsor all of your family members to come to Canada.
In addition, the Canadian government will consider some additional conditions for granting a green card such as:
- Have lived, studied or worked in Canada
- Have friends, relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
- Have worked for at least 1 year in any province or union in Canada
- Currently owning or managing a business in Canada
- Good English or French language skills, IELTS 4.5 or higher
- Have a high school diploma or higher
- Be at least economically eligible to be able to pay the costs of living in Canada.
Frequently asked questions about Canadian green card
Which countries can Canadian green card holders go to?
Canadian green card helps you to go to many different countries without a visa such as European countries, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, Mexico…
How long does it take to get a Canadian green card to Vietnam?
As a rule, in order not to be deprived of the right to use a Canadian green card, you need to live in Canada for at least 6 months per year. This means that you can return to Vietnam for no more than 6 months to ensure that your Canadian green card is still used normally.
Does the green card have an expiration date?
The Canadian green card is valid for up to 5 years. After this time, you need to apply to renew the card to continue using it.
When did you lose your green card/PR status?
If you do not live in Canada for at least 730 days within 5 years from the date of issuance of your green card, you will lose your green card ownership, which is equivalent to losing your permanent resident status.
In addition, if you pass the citizenship test and have Canadian citizenship, becoming a Canadian citizen, you will not be able to use your green card anymore.
Another case if you commit a crime, depending on the severity, you will be deprived of the right to use your green card or deported from Canada.
How is a green card different from Canadian citizenship?
A green card only represents permanent residency, while citizenship recognizes you as a citizen of Canada. So if you want to get Canadian citizenship, you need to have a green card first.
Once you have met the requirements of Canada, you can apply for Citizenship.
How to convert your status from green card/PR to Canadian citizenship?
Once you have settled in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 3 years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.
You then need to pass the Canadian Citizenship test.
If you have met all the conditions, you will be recognized as a Canadian citizen and will participate in the naturalization ceremony to take the oath. Once you become a Canadian citizen, you are recognized for all your freedoms, but it also comes with basic responsibilities.
The Canadian government recognizes dual citizenship so you are not required to give up your old citizenship.
In order to get a green card faster and simpler than ever, please refer to VNIS Investment’s Canada Start-up Visa Program for more details.
