Earlier known as “Maple Leaf Card”, in 2001 the PRC was first proposed after the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, on 28th June 2001, the first permanent residence card was issued.
Citizens who are permanent residents of Canada must either carry or show their valid PR Card if boarding a flight for Canada, or is planning to travel to Canada via any other commercial carrier. If you do not travel with your PR card, you may not be allowed to board a flight, boat, train or bus to Canada.
Individuals applying to Canada are often confused about how the PR certificate relates to the permanent residency visa, what is a permanent resident certificate, or can you apply for a PRC certificate online? Continue reading this blog to know more about it.
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What is a PRC Certificate or Card?
The permanent resident certificate or card is an identification document needed by permanent residents of Canada. It is a document by which residents can prove their status and it is the only document that allows permanent residents to return to Canada by a commercial carrier. It holds the same importance as a passport.
The PRC has all your details mentioned on it and you can renew it once it expires, which is after every 5 years.
How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Certificate?
Individuals who have received their permanent residency can only apply for the PRC. Individuals who have just received their COPR will have to visit the VFS office and get their passport stamped.
Once you land in Canada, the immigration officer will enquire about your Canadian address, and your PR card will be delivered to the address you mention to them. It takes a time of 1 to 3 months for you to receive the PR certificate at the address mentioned by you.
How to Change Your Address in Your PR Card?
Most individuals who apply for the PR card don’t have a proper address. So it is a perfectly normal request to get your address changed. You can either not fill the address option when you land in Canada. You can fill out a form and then fax it to IRCC regarding your permanent address.
You can also update your address on your PR cards via two options: Through the IRCC web forms or through the IRCC call centre.
What are the Documents required While Applying for PR in Canada?
You need to attach copies of the following documents if you wish to apply to a Canada PR. You must have these documents attached:
#The result of your language proficiency test
#Proof of Canadian education of applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program
#A job offer from a Canadian employer
#Proof of Funds
#Medical exams
#Police Certificates
#Birth Certificate
#Marriage certificate (if needed)
#Divorce certificate or a legal separation agreement ( if needed)
#Death certificate ( if needed)
Also Read: Canada PR Process from India: Here’s the Step by Step Application Process
Do I need a Police Certificate for Canada Permanent Residency?
Individuals applying for permanent residency in Canada, often wonder if they need a police certificate to apply for PR in Canada or can a counsellor give a permanent residency certificate?
The answer is yes. You do need a police certificate to begin your Canada PR process. Since it can take a long time to get your police certificate, you should start asking for it as soon as you enter your profile in the express entry pool. You should have the certificate with you once you have been invited to apply. Individuals who might have a criminal record, or put Canada’s Security at risk are not allowed to enter Canada.
IRCC will ask for police certificates from all of your family members over 18 years of age, and a police certificate from every country you stayed in during the last 10 years for at least 6 months in a row.
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Why IELTS is Important?
Obaining at least Canadian Language Benchmark 7 is absolutely mandatory to be eligible to get through the Federal Skilled Worker program. The better the IELTS score, the greated the required point for PRC, so you better take it seriously.
Checkout the table below to understand the CLB level.
| CLB Grade | IELTS Speaking | IELTS Reading | IELTS | IELTS Listenning |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 |
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| 10 | 7.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| 11 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 9 |
| 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you enough idea about how to apply for a Permanent Residency Certificate in Canada. It is a document of utmost priority and all permanent residents must have it if they wish to enter Canada via a commercial carrier. Since 2016 all travellers to Canada are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization before they ever board a flight.
Individuals whose PR card was expired or stolen need to prove that they at least resided in Canada for a total of 730 days before the five – year period of the Card’s renewal application. To read more of such informative articles on different countries abroad in relation to higher studies one must surely visit the IELTS Ninja website.
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I usually got confused when I read about PRC, but now I think I got the clarity.