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The Canadian Green Card, also known as the Permanent Resident Card, is an essential document that confirms your right to reside in Canada on a long-term basis. With a Green Card in hand, you will enjoy almost all the benefits of Canadian citizens, including the freedom to move and live in any province across the country. Additionally, you will have unlimited entry and exit rights to and from Canada.
So, how can you obtain a Canadian Green Card? What immigration programs are available to help you achieve this goal? And what specific benefits come with owning a Green Card? Let’s explore these details in the following article with Second Citizenship!
Here are the essential details about the Canadian Green Card:
The Canadian Green Card is a residency permit that allows foreign nationals to legally settle in Canada as permanent residents. To qualify for a Green Card, you must fall into one of three categories: skilled workers, international students, or entrepreneurs and investors.
Several immigration programs can help you obtain a Canadian Green Card, including: Investment-based immigration programs, Skilled worker immigration programs, Immigration programs for international students.
With a Canadian Green Card, you gain the freedom to travel and relocate within Canada, as well as access to financial, healthcare, and educational benefits.
The Green Card is Canada's Permanent Resident Card.
The Canadian Green Card is a residency permit that allows foreign nationals to legally settle in Canada as permanent residents. With the Green Card, you will enjoy many benefits similar to Canadian citizens, including the freedom to travel, visit, and live in all 10 provinces of Canada. You will also receive free healthcare and education services from kindergarten through to high school graduation, have the right to sponsor family members, and can apply for Canadian citizenship after three years of residence.
The Canadian Green Card contains important information such as height, eye color, gender, a photo, and the cardholder's laser-engraved signature. Other personal data is encrypted on the card and can only be accessed and viewed by Canadian Immigration officers.
Many countries allow you to use your Canadian Green Card to enter without a visa, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, European Union countries, Mexico, Taiwan, Switzerland, Norway, Brunei, and many others.
However, note that the Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card does not allow entry into the U.S. without a visa. The U.S. has strict immigration policies, so even if you hold a Canadian Green Card, you will still need a visa to enter the U.S.
Here is a list of some countries and territories where you can travel without a visa with a Canadian Green Card:
Anguilla: Up to 3 months
Bahamas: 90 days
Belize: 30 days
Bermuda: Up to 6 months
Costa Rica: 30 days (PR card must be valid for more than six months)
Cuba: 30 days (PR card and valid passport required)
Dutch Caribbean Territories: 90 days
Dominican Republic: 60 days
Georgia: 90 days within 180 days
Jamaica: Up to 6 months
Saint Maarten: 90 days
Kosovo: Up to 15 days
Mexico: 6 months
Nicaragua: 90 days within 180 days (not applicable to all nationalities)
Panama: 30 days or 180 days
Peru: 6 months (only for Chinese or Indian nationals)
Qatar: 30 days
Cayman Islands: 60 days
Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 90 days within 180 days
Singapore: 96-hour visa-free transit to or from a third country like Canada (only for Chinese or Indian nationals)
South Korea: 30 days on transit (not applicable to all nationalities)
Taiwan: 30 days (online registration required, applicable to certain nationalities only)
British Virgin Islands: Up to 6 months
Turks and Caicos Islands: 90 days
When you hold a Canadian Green Card, you have the freedom to enter and exit Canada without limits on the number of times. Upon returning to Canada, you simply need to present your PR card.
Freedom of Entry and Exit with a Canadian Green Card
When you hold a Canadian Green Card, you have the freedom to enter and exit Canada. The border control system will record the time of each entry or exit from the country. With a Green Card, you can live, work, and study in any province across Canada.
However, while the Green Card provides flexibility and convenience for traveling in and out of Canada, it does not mean you can visit any country without a visa. You must still comply with the visa requirements of other countries when traveling.
As a Canadian Permanent Resident, you are entitled to work for any company in Canada without restrictions on the industry or number of working hours, except in fields related to national security and border management. These fields include jobs at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Department of National Defence, and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE). You also have the ability to open a business or start a profitable venture.
In addition, the Canadian Permanent Resident card offers financial benefits such as low interest rates (9.9%) on loans for purchasing homes, vehicles, or other purposes. Once you become a Canadian citizen, you gain the legal right to own all the property that Canadian citizens are allowed to own, including homes, land, and vehicles.
With a PR card, you can work for any company in Canada
In particular, the Canadian government offers the Canada Child Tax Benefits program for Green Card holders. This program provides up to CAD 6,400 per year for each child under the age of 6, and CAD 5,400 per year for each child between the ages of 6 and 17. This helps low-income families with children under 18 cover their monthly expenses.
The children of Canadian Permanent Residents are exempt from tuition fees from kindergarten through high school graduation. When entering university, tuition fees are also quite reasonable, averaging around CAD 29,714 per year.
The Canadian government also offers scholarship programs to support education. To apply for scholarships, you need to have excellent academic performance, meet the academic and language standards of the institution, and demonstrate your financial need.
Additionally, as a Canadian Permanent Resident, you will enjoy nearly all the social benefits similar to Canadian citizens. This includes health insurance, maternity benefits, the public healthcare system, senior citizen benefits, and income security supplements.
Permanent Residents Are Guaranteed Healthcare and Education Benefits Like Canadian Citizens
To receive a Canadian Green Card, investors need to meet one of the following three criteria groups:
This option is suitable for those who want to study and settle in Canada. You need to have a post-secondary education, at least one year of skilled work experience, and a job in Canada. You can apply for permanent residency through programs like Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Canada currently offers numerous programs to attract international talent, both at the provincial and federal levels, such as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP). If you participate in and meet the eligibility criteria of these programs, you and your family can receive a Canadian Permanent Resident card.
Requirements for Applying for a Canadian Green Card
Individuals settling in Canada through investment programs such as the Start-Up Visa Canada Program, the E-2 and EB-5 programs, or by investing in businesses may be eligible for a Green Card. To be granted a Green Card, you need to have a creative and feasible business plan, accepted by an approved Canadian organization. You must also have at least CAD 200,000 or CAD 75,000 to invest in the business plan, depending on the type of sponsoring organization. For entrepreneurs, the Permanent Resident status will be granted to the entire family, including the spouse and children under 21.
In addition to the main requirements for a Canadian Green Card, the Canadian government will also consider the following factors during the application process:
Post-secondary Education: You must have a post-secondary degree or equivalent to demonstrate your level of education.
Work Experience: At least one year of skilled work experience is required.
Job Offer in Canada: You must have a job in Canada or a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Connections in Canada: Having friends or family living, working, or studying in Canada may be an advantage.
Experience in Canada: If you have previously worked, lived, or studied in Canada, this will be considered.
Financial Assets or Resources: You must have sufficient financial assets or resources to demonstrate your ability to support yourself and your family in Canada.
Business Ownership: Owning or managing a business can strengthen your Green Card application.
The Canadian Start-Up Visa Program is an investment-based immigration route aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas to come to Canada.
Canada Investment Immigration Program
By participating in this program, investors have the opportunity to receive a Canadian Green Card and later apply for citizenship to become Canadian citizens. This grants them the right to live and work in Canada, constitutional protection, and access to social services.
The program not only supports entrepreneurs but also contributes to Canada’s economic and social development by creating more jobs for the local population.
The Canada Start-Up Visa Program has flexible requirements, including: a bachelor's degree, a minimum IELTS General score of 5, good health, and a clean criminal record. This program has a high success rate and a fast processing time, taking only 12 to 16 months. Due to these advantages, many Vietnamese people have chosen this program to settle in Canada.
The Canadian government has implemented Skilled Worker Programs to attract high-skilled labor from around the world. Those who meet the skill requirements will be granted permanent residency in Canada, along with their spouse and dependent children.
Currently, there are two main categories of the skilled worker immigration program:
Express Entry: This program is for candidates with specialized skills who are looking for job opportunities in Canada. It is ideal for international students in Canada, as candidates who have experience studying and working in the country have a better chance of success when applying to the Express Entry system.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): This is the best option for skilled workers outside of Canada. PNP includes various Provincial Nominee Programs tailored to the needs and abilities of each applicant. The common requirement across these programs is that candidates must commit to living and working in the nominated province for at least two years (depending on the policies of the province).
Express Entry is a quick and convenient option for skilled workers who want to settle in Canada. Meanwhile, PNP offers more options for candidates outside Canada, fitting their needs and abilities.
Canada Skilled Worker Immigration Program
The Canada immigration program for international students is a great opportunity for students who wish to become permanent residents of Canada after completing their studies at post-secondary institutions such as colleges, universities, or graduate schools.
To participate in this program, international students must meet the following requirements:
Diploma or Certificate: You need to have a diploma or certificate indicating the completion of a course at a Canadian institution.
Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate your language skills through standardized tests.
Work Experience: Having work experience related to your field of study will be a plus.
Post-Graduation Work Permit: You need to have a post-graduation work permit in order to work in Canada.
If accepted into the program, you will have the opportunity to stay and work in Canada for 1 to 3 years. This work experience will not only help you gain valuable skills but may also allow you to repay tuition fees through income earned from employment. Afterward, you can apply for permanent residency based on your work experience and time spent working in Canada.
Canada Immigration Program for International Students
Both the Canada Green Card and the U.S. Green Card allow foreign nationals to live and work in their respective countries, but there are some key differences:
U.S. Green Card: Holders of the U.S. Green Card must carry the card with them to confirm and protect their rights. They are required to present the card when requested by authorized agencies. The U.S. Green Card is essential to access full rights and services in the U.S.
Canada Green Card: Canada Green Card holders are not required to carry their permanent resident card at all times. In many situations, you do not need to present it, and it is typically only required in specific cases, such as when going through immigration procedures or confirming your residency status.
Differences Between Canada Green Card and U.S. Green Card
In summary, while both the Canada Green Card and U.S. Green Card offer residency and work benefits, the U.S. Green Card requires the holder to always carry and use the card to prove their rights, while the Canada Green Card has more flexible rules regarding when the card needs to be presented.
With a Canada Green Card, you can stay in Vietnam for up to 6 months, but you must comply with the residency requirements in Canada. Specifically, you need to stay in Canada for at least 6 months within a year.
If you are absent from Canada for more than 6 months in a year, you risk losing your permanent resident status. This ensures that you maintain your status as a permanent resident and continue to enjoy the associated benefits.
Canada Passport and the Canada Green Card are both important documents, but they have some fundamental differences:
Canada Passport: This is a passport issued by the Government of Canada exclusively for Canadian citizens. The Canada Passport allows you to travel internationally and return to Canada. It has a validity of 5 or 10 years, depending on the type you choose. With the Canada Passport, you have the right to vote, are protected by the Government of Canada when abroad, and can sponsor family members for immigration to Canada.
Canada Green Card: This is a permanent resident card for foreign nationals permitted to settle in Canada. The Canada Green Card is valid for 5 years and is primarily used for travel between Canada and your home country. You don’t need to carry it at all times, but you must present it when entering Canada or in certain situations. With the Canada Green Card, you enjoy benefits such as free healthcare, free education, and the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. However, you don’t have the right to vote, are not protected by the Canadian government while abroad, and cannot sponsor family members for immigration to Canada.
Owning a Canada Green Card offers numerous benefits for settling in the country. However, to obtain a Green Card, you must meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program. If you need detailed advice on the process to acquire Canadian permanent residency, feel free to contact Second Citizenship for comprehensive support and guidance!
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