Understanding the difference between PR and Canadian citizenship

Canadian permanent residents and citizens enjoy most of the same rights in Canada; one can live, work, study here, and even invest in this country. Despite these similarities, there are key differences between the two statuses. Understanding the difference between Canadian PR and Canadian citizenship can help interested people make well-informed decisions about their long-term plans in Canada.

A permanent resident is someone who has obtained PR status through moving to Canada. This status permits them to stay in Canada and take advantage of many services, but it does not make them Canadian citizens.  PRs do not have all the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens.

On the other hand, Canadian citizens have more extensive rights and responsibilities. They have the right to elections at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. They can also actively participate in the country’s democratic process. Furthermore, they can apply for a Canadian passport, which facilitates international travel under Canadian protection.

Here are the major differences between Canadian citizens and Permanent residents:

Participation in the Democratic Process 

Permanent residents of Canada must be physically present in the country for at least 730 days during the five-year period to maintain their status. The days do not need to be consecutive. It offers residents the flexibility to travel or live abroad for a certain period. However, if a permanent resident is unable to fulfill this requirement, it could lead to loss of permanent resident status. On the other hand, Canadian citizens are not subject to this rule, and they are free to live outside the country indefinitely without affecting their citizenship.

Travel Benefits  

Although Canada’s permanent residents can travel to several countries without a visa with their PR cards, Canadian citizens have greater freedom with their passports. As of 2024, the Canadian passport ranks highly, and it offers visa-free access to 187 countries. Citizens can travel extensively without worrying about obtaining a visa because of this amazing freedom. Citizenship in Canada has advantages beyond travel, such as fewer restrictions on working and studying elsewhere. In addition, they are able to acquire another nationality while retaining their dual citizenship and Canadian identity. Canadian consulates around the world provide support to its residents in times of need.

Consistency and ease of establishing residency in Canada  

Periodically, a permanent resident of Canada may lose their status, which makes it impossible for them to enter or remain in the country. There are two main ways that this might happen: either they voluntarily give up their status or they lose their ability to enter Canada. A person can renounce their citizenship voluntarily, although being inadmissible can result from engaging in illegal activity or posing a security danger. However, Canadian authorities rarely revoke citizenship, and they only do so in cases where individuals acquired it through deception or fraud during the application process.

Granting citizenship to children

Citizenship for children born in Canada to permanent residents is conferred automatically.  Nevertheless, children born outside of the nation are not entitled to this automatic privilege. As long as they meet the prerequisites and the child is eligible to be considered a dependent, permanent resident with children born outside of the country may petition to sponsor these children for permanent residency.

Canada imposes a first-generation restriction (FGL) on the transfer of citizenship across generations. According to this regulation, parents of children born outside of Canada cannot automatically confer citizenship on their offspring. The federal government is thinking about changing this law to permit Canadians who were born abroad to, under certain circumstances, give their children who were born abroad their citizenship. The government suggests that this amendment take effect by December 19.

Primary differences between being a permanent resident and a citizen