Canada is a land of opportunities, and hundreds of people are looking for Canadian immigration programs to apply for a PR visa or Canadian work permit to settle in Canada. People choose Canada immigration for various reasons, such as high-quality education, the world’s best healthcare, or pursuing a higher standard of living; Canada has it all. Canada has a strong economy and many opportunities for skilled people, making it a highly sought-after destination. There are several different ways to get immigration to Canada, like directly applying for permanent residency in Canada or getting a Canada work permit and then converting it to a PR card to live and work in Canada.
Choosing among the Canadian immigration options can be complex and confusing. To select the best options to move to Canada, people must understand the difference between a Canadian PR visa and a work visa and weigh the benefits of each pathway. We have penned a detailed article about the Canadian PR and work visas. It entails the differences between the two and the rights offered by them so one can choose the best option according to their situation and requirements.
What is a Canadian PR Visa?
A PR (permanent resident) visa is a legal status that allows an individual to live, work, and settle anywhere in the country. It is for people who want to establish long-term residence in a particular country, which leads to citizenship. Permanent resident visa holders can study, work, and live in the country without time restrictions. They can also access social benefits, welfare programs, and healthcare. This visa also opens a pathway to citizenship, granting full privileges and citizenship rights to the Canada PR visa holder.
A Canadian permanent Resident visa follows a point-based system in which different categories are created, and points are assigned to each category. After assessing an individual against the set criteria, points are granted based on which these visas are issued. Individuals are evaluated against their qualifications, skills, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
Major Pathways to get Permanent Residency in Canada
A visa for permanent residency in Canada gives the immigrant the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. It offers permanent residency status. Different pathways are available to get PR status in Canada under the Canada immigration program. The candidate can apply for PR through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website (IRCC). Before applying, an individual must check their eligibility for the available pathways and choose the best pathway to increase their chances of getting the visa.
Popular PR (Permanent Residence) visa Pathways for Canada are:
- Express Entry Visa
- Family Sponsorship
- Federal Skilled Worker Visa
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Programs
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian PR Visa
To be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile, you must meet 67 out of 100 points as the minimum eligibility criteria. The maximum points you can obtain for these factors are as follows:
| Sr. no | Factors | Points Assigned |
| 1 | Age | 12 points (max) |
| 2 | Education | 25 points (max) |
| 3 | Language Proficiency | 24 points (max) English or French |
| 4 | Work Experience | Occupation must be listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) in either Skill Level 0, A, or B. Points are credited according to the skill level |
| 5 | Adaptability | 10 points (max) |
| 6 | Arranged Employment | Additional 10 points (not mandatory) |
What is a work visa/work permit?
A work permit is an authorized pass for foreign individuals to work in a country for a limited period. It is also known as a work visa. A work permit holder has limited access to social benefits and may face some travel restrictions. It is compulsory to have a job offer from a Canadian employer who is willing to sponsor and support the applicant.
Certain conditions can be associated with a Canada work visa. The work visa holder is tied to a specific job or employment opportunity and might be restricted from switching their current job. They can only work the particular job mentioned on the work permit. Canada work visas are issued to meet specific employment needs or labor shortages. They usually require less paperwork and short processing time, and the option to convert a work permit to PR in Canada is also viable.
Types of Work Permits in Canada
1. Employer-Specific Work Permit
With this Work Permit, you can work for a specific employer for the time mentioned.
2. Open Work Permit
This work permit only applies to individuals with a Canadian study permit who graduate from DLI’s (Designated Learning Institutions) or are Temporary Resident visa holders in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Work Visa
- An applicant must have two years of work experience.
- A candidate with fewer qualifications than required is sometimes overlooked owing to their excellent work experience.
- IELTS Certificate of a minimum of six bands.
- Other qualifications depend on the job profile and the company’s demands.
Differences Between PR Visa vs Work Permit Visa
If you plan to travel to Canada for work or settlement, you must know the differences between a Permanent Residency (PR) visa and a Work Permit and their purposes. These two types of visas serve different purposes and offer various benefits and limitations.
A temporary work permit in Canada can sound very appealing as it requires less paperwork, and the processing times are faster than those of a permanent residence application. All of which means you can come to Canada faster. People often need to consider a work permit’s temporary and inflexible nature. With very few exceptions, closed work permits are issued, which means permission to work only for a few years (generally 1-2 years).
A closed work permit means you would be restricted from working for the same employer, at the same position until the employer no longer requires your services or when your work permit expires, whichever comes first. In case your permit expires, your employer no longer needs your services. You would have to secure a new job offer with a new employer and apply for a new work permit that still needs to be successfully approved.
However, Being a permanent resident of Canada means you can enjoy the same privileges and rights as a Canadian citizen. Moreover, your dependent family is also granted Canadian permanent residency rights. Here is a list of significant differences between a PR visa and a work permit visa.
Job Restrictions
PR visa holders have the flexibility to work for any employer and can switch jobs without any restrictions. In contrast, work permit holders are generally limited to a specific employer or job and cannot change their job or the employer.
Sponsorships Rights
A person with a Canadian permanent residence can also sponsor their extended family members, including their spouse and children. A person with an open work permit may have limited or no family sponsorship options and can only sponsor his immediate family, like spouse and children.
Processing Time
The average time to get a PR visa is about 18 to 24 months, but the processing time for work permit issuance depends on the particular program and its requirements.
Travel Permits
PR visa holders face fewer travel restrictions than work permit holders, who may be restricted to work-related travel and may need to get a Temporary resident visa to enter and re-enter Canada.
Validity Period
The Canadian work permit is typically valid for up to 4 years, subject to renewal or work permit extension after the due period. However, a visa for permanent residency allows you to live in Canada for as long as possible.
Citizenship
Permanent Residents have a direct pathway to citizenship and can apply for citizenship after four years within six years of stay in Canada. Canadian WP holders can apply for PR status if a nomination is obtained and requirements are met.
Entrepreneurship Rights
An individual with a Canadian work permit cannot start his own business in Canada, whereas a person with PR can start his own business anywhere in Canada.
Healthcare
PR holders get all the benefits of Canada’s Universal healthcare program. Most medical expenses are covered with a PR visa in Canada. A person with a WP only gets the bare minimum of the universal health care program.
Other Benefits
Other benefits of Canadian PR include:
- Universal health care program: Most of the medical expenses are covered with a PR visa in Canada
- Child Tax Benefit (The Canadian government provides monthly tax-free payments that help to cover the costs for those families who have children under the age of 18)
- Free education for children under 18
- Old Age Security
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Canada Pension Plan (provides financial support to workers in their retirement age – currently age 65)
- Maternity and parental leave
- Social security (includes retirement payments, disability benefits, survivors’ benefits [for the survivors of deceased workers], etc.) and Canadian citizenship within three years.
How can a work permit be converted to PR in Canada?
Converting a work visa to permanent residency visa in Canada is possible, though it can be time-consuming and tiring. Various programs allow you to apply for PR if you are working in Canada. Some of the options are:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC): It requires at least two years of work experience in Canada, a Canadian postgraduate degree, and language skills.
- Quebec Experience Class: It requires French proficiency for skilled workers in Quebec.
- Acquiring a permanent job offer: It may allow application through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) based on points for qualifications, age, language proficiency, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, PR visas vs Work permit visas differ in their purposes and the flexibilities’ they offer. If you want to come to Canada for job purposes only, work visa serves the purpose but for immigration purposes PR visas are the best option. PR visas provide an indefinite permission to reside in a country and eventually leads to the citizenship. On the other hand, work permits are temporary authorizations linked with specific job offers and focus on employment needs.
One reason to choose a work visa is that you will land in a country with a job and feel secure and confident. Later, you can apply for PR and can convert your work permit to permanent resident visa. In this article, we have provided the much needed details about both visas and benefits and restrictions associated with them. This way, any individual can make an informed decision about their visa choice. The choice of visa also depends upon the individual circumstances and needs, if you are looking for short processing time and less paperwork, Work visa is your option. However, if you are seeking permanent relocation to Canada, the best suited option is t go for Provincial Nominee Programs that give PR status.
As you can see, Canadian permanent residency (PR) and work permit (WP) statuses have similarities and significant differences. So, make your decision wisely or you can hire an expert immigration consultant like HSA consultants to help make you the best decision.
