Privileges of Becoming A Canadian Permanent Resident

From 2021 to 2023, Canada will welcome more than 1.2 million new mainly Permanent Resident immigrants through various immigration programs of the government. So what are the “privileges” of a permanent resident? Find out with Le Immigration in the article below!

Canadian permanent resident is the common name for foreigners who are legally allowed to settle in Canada. If certain conditions are met, these people will be recognized by the government as Canadian Permanent Residents (not citizens of Canada).

Many people who wish to immigrate to Canada are often only interested in Citizenship or becoming a Canadian citizen, without knowing that in order to obtain citizenship, you must be recognized by the government as a PERMANENT RESIDENT. So, what are the real benefits of having a Canadian Permanent Resident status?

The right to Live and Work in Canada

Canada is ranked as the second best country in the world to live and work. The premier destination for overall sustainability, cultural influence, economic influence, entrepreneurship and quality of life.

After being granted a permanent resident card, permanent residents and their families can freely move, live, study and work anywhere in Canada’s 10 provinces. You don’t have to be tied to an employer, job, or even a province. As long as their actions do not violate Canada’s constitution and federal law.

Visa Waiver, or Easy to get Visa to other countries

As a permanent resident of Canada, you can travel and enter other major countries such as the US, Australia, UK, France, Germany… without having to apply for a visa and be approved in advance. Being a permanent resident of Canada, you need to be aware of the regulations of the country you enter. There will be countries that give you freedom of movement as a permanent resident of Canada, but there are countries that will look further into the citizenship of your country of origin. Please research the information carefully before making the trip.

Sponsor the whole family to Canada

After acquiring the Permanent Resident status, you have the right to sponsor relatives to live, study and work in Canada; including sponsoring spouses, common-law partners, children, parents, or grandparents.

Sponsoring relatives is currently one of the top priorities in Canadian immigration policy. The government has always made family reunification, helping relatives live close together, improving spiritual life, thereby promoting national socio-economic development.

Depending on the type of sponsorship, the requirements of the sponsor are also different. For example, for candidates participating in economic settlements such as Start-up Visa , Express Entry,.. they have the right to sponsor their spouse, partner and children under 22 years old right after the candidate is granted permanent residence. However, under the grandparents and parents sponsorship category, applicants must prove their income over the last 3 years. Specifically:

Access to the world leading education system

The Canadian education system consists of public and private schools, from kindergarten to university. Its modern education is one of the best in the world. The cost of post-secondary education (undergraduate) in Canada is also lower than in other developed countries like US, UK, and Australia, …

When you are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada:

• Education costs are completely free for children from kindergarten (5 years old) to 12th grade (18 years old).
• The government will subsidize or lend money to students to pay for their education in case they do not have enough income (applicable only to students in college level and above).
• Students have the opportunity to receive scholarships from the school.
• What’s more, as a lawful permanent resident, you can study at a very low cost compared to international students in Canada. The cost can be as little as 1/10.

Enjoy the policy of Public Healthcare

Permanent residents and citizens of Canada are both entitled to the “Medical Care Program” and the “Hospital Aide Program” launched by the Federal and Provincial governments.

The Universal Health Care System ensures that everyone gets the medical care and treatment they need. No one is left behind just because they are poor or can’t afford to pay. Provinces and territories organize and finance their own local health insurance service, with additional federal support. According to this system:

• Everyone must pay health insurance, but the amount to be paid depends on the income level of each person.
• You do not have to pay for each visit or hospital stay.
• Newcomers usually receive healthcare insurance after a three-month period. Medical insurance is available to all citizens (public or private).
• There is also a public insurance for workers suffering from an occupational illness, accident, and a car insurance for all Québec citizens, in case of injury in a traffic accident anywhere in the world, regardless of whose responsibility.

Child welfare system in Canada

The Canada Child Benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This is a tax-free payment for eligible families to help cover the costs of raising children under 18.

The monthly benefit amount for each child will be calculated based on the family’s net income, parents will receive the maximum support per child as follows:

• Children under 6 years old: $6,833 CAD per year ($569.41 CAD per month).
• Children 6 to 17 years old: $5,765 per year ($480.41 CAD per month).

This gives parents more money each month, tax free, to help them take care of their children. This benefit is usually paid around the 18th – 20th of each calendar month.

In addition, in 2021, families under CCB (Canada Child Benefit) will receive an additional temporary assistance of up to $1,200 CAD per child under the age of 6, to cover costs incurred during the Covid Pandemic.

In addition to the Canadian Federal Child Welfare, each Canadian province also has its own child welfare program. Provincial benefits can be up to nearly $140 CAD/month, and are completely tax-free.

Elderly benefits – Retirement system

Benefits for the elderly in Canada are in 3 main programs:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

In which, OAS and CPP are the two main supports from the government, paying about 40% of the retirement income of Permanent Residents and Citizens.

A CPP is a monthly benefit that replaces income when you retire. While working or doing business, Canadians must contribute to the CPP fund, which is set at 4.95% of income. In 2021, the maximum monthly CPP payout is $1,203. The average Canadian Pensioner earns about $644/month.

OAS – The Old Age Security (Old Money) is a monthly benefit that seniors in Canada can receive if they are 65 or older. You can get up to a maximum of $626.49 CAD per month. The amount you receive depends on how long you lived in Canada as an adult. For example, if you lived in Canada for 20 years before turning 65, you will receive half of your OAS wages above the maximum.

GIS is an additional government subsidy for people who are receiving OAS without or have little other income to ensure that life is not too difficult. The maximum GIS in 2021 is $923 for a single senior or a non-senior couple, and $556 per person if both spouses are seniors.

In addition to the main benefits listed above, there is a long list of benefits for people over 65 in Canada, specifically for low-income people and people with disabilities. You can learn more at the Immigration Canada website by following the link: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/seniors.html

Maternity allowance and Child care

Maternity leave in Canada is considered extremely comprehensive, including: Maternity Leave, Parental Leave and Maternity Benefit, Child care allowance (Parental Benefit) in Canada.

Canadian Labor Law stipulates that a mother can take maternity leave for up to 17 weeks. Maternity leave can start 13 weeks before the due date and end 17 weeks after the actual date of birth.

Canada’s Labor Law also allows each employee to take up to 62 weeks of childcare leave. This means that a pregnant employee can take up to 78 weeks (1.5 years) – 16 weeks of maternity leave and 62 weeks of parental leave.

Unemployment Insurance & Income Guarantee Subsidy

Employment Insurance (EI) was created to help people who lost their jobs due to objective reasons not through their own fault, or while they were studying or looking for a job.

Unemployed workers can receive unemployment benefits from 14-45 weeks (maybe longer if eligible for other types of Insurance). Unemployment benefit is 55% of the average weekly insured income. From January 1, 20211, the maximum income to pay for insurance is $ 56,300, so the maximum insurance level is $ 595 / week.

Depending on the province, permanent residents may receive additional benefits when they are out of work.

Favourable Interest Rates and Income Tax policy

In developed countries and Canada in particular, there are favourable interest rates in the purchase of real estate, cars and other high-value consumer items. Consumers can buy in instalments for a long time if they meet requirements such as having a job, paying taxes, etc.

Regarding real estate, there will be no taxes associated with owning a house or land, nor taxes associated with inheriting land.

Besides, for incomes generated outside of Canada, citizens and permanent residents will not have to pay any taxes to the Government of Canada. They just need to fulfilll the tax liability to the country in which the income is generated. 

Housing subsidy for permanent residents with low-income

To ensure that everyone has a safe home, including those with low incomes, the government of Canada allocates funds to build a large number of government houses, and rent out at a very low price.

Anyone can, in principle, rent a house. And this criteria will filter out those who are well off. The basic rent principle is to pay by a percentage of income, usually 25% to 30% of monthly income. If your monthly income is only 1,000CAD, you only need to pay 250 CAD for the house. Then you can live in a large apartment with two or three bedrooms and a living room.

But if your monthly salary is 10,000 CAD, then 3,000 CAD must be used to pay the rent – ​​which is more than enough to buy a house in installments. 

Become a Canadian citizen

After living and working in Canada for a long period of time, permanent residents can apply for a citizenship test, and become Canadian citizens. Under current law, you need to stay in Canada for at least 1095 days in 5 years, from the time you apply for Canadian citizenship. The total period need not be continuous, can be cumulative, and must be obtained within every 5 years of validity of the permanent resident card.

Besides, applicants from Vietnam also have the right to keep dual citizenship because both Vietnam and Canada allow to maintain dual citizenship, and are not required to give up their previous citizenship.

Other benefits

In addition to the mentioned benefits, some provinces also offer life support to newly arrived permanent residents. The Federal Government also established a Loan Committee to help homebuyers, citizens or permanent residents, and have been in Canada for a full year. Non-settlers who have previously paid retirement taxes can apply for family benefits for their children under the age of 18.

In addition, permanent residents receive all benefits and protections under Canadian law, except for the right to vote (for Canadian citizens only) and will not be affected by changes of future immigration law.

What is the difference between a Permanent Resident and a Citizen in Canada?

Although both permanent residents and Canadian citizens enjoy the social benefits set forth by the Canadian government, there are still differences between the two. Accordingly, permanent residents will be limited in a number of political-related rights compared to citizens, including:

• Provincial and federal government elections.
• Administration runs for political offices.
• Working in government agencies, jobs that require a high level of security.

How do foreigners become Canadian Permanent Residents?

To become a permanent resident of Canada and be granted a permanent resident card (PR), you must apply to participate in the Government’s immigration program. Programs are created in accordance with the aspirations and abilities of each candidate based on criteria such as age, language skills, education, work experience and a number of other factors. Those programs include:

• Express Entry – Express Entry
• Start-up visa (for candidates who have a business idea and need Investment Fund support) – Start-up visa
• ​​Investors Entrepreneurs and Self Employed
• Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• See also: Ontario Provincial Nominee Program – OINP
• See also: Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program – SINP
• See also: 4 Atlantic Provincial Nominee Program – AIPP

Apparently Canada’s care and welfare for permanent residents are extremely thoughtful and thorough, for those (especially retirees) who want to move to Canada with their children and worry free about the life ahead. 

Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us today via our Hotline: 0936-168-599, or visit our website: https://minhle.ca/ for advice and comprehensive support, and acquire Canadian Permanent Residence for your whole family!

Source: Compilation