Pathways
Pathways to Permanent Residence
Canadian permanent residence is not accessible through a single pathway — there are several, depending on your profile, country of origin, family ties, and personal situation. Choosing the right pathway is the first strategic decision.
Express Entry
The main system for skilled workers. EE pool profile, CRS ranking, invitation (ITA), and e-APR application.
- FSW, CEC, FST — 3 streams available
- Timeline: 6–12 months after ITA
- Draws approximately every 2 weeks
- CRS score between 481–510 (general 2025–2026)
PNP — Provincial Nominee Program
Each province selects its own immigrants based on economic needs. A provincial nomination adds +600 CRS points in Express Entry.
- Ontario, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, N.B., N.S., etc.
- Express Entry-aligned or non-EE streams
- Timeline: 12–18 months (varies by province)
- Ideal for candidates with insufficient CRS score
Family Sponsorship
A permanent resident or Canadian citizen can sponsor their spouse, dependent children, or parents and grandparents.
- Spouse/partner sponsorship — 12–24 months
- Dependent child sponsorship — variable timeline
- Parents/grandparents program (PGP) — annual opening
- Parent Super Visa — temporary alternative
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds
For people who do not fit regular categories but have valid humanitarian or compassionate reasons.
- Establishment in Canada (duration, integration)
- Best interests of the children
- Hardship abroad if removed
- Timeline: 24–36 months — last resort
Application Preparation
Preparing the e-APR Application
The e-APR (online permanent residence application) is the complete file to submit within 60 days of receiving an ITA. This file is complex — any error or omission can result in a refusal. Our firm prepares every document meticulously.
Complete Document Checklist for the e-APR
Important: Medical examinations must be performed by an IRCC-designated physician. Results are valid for 12 months. Mohamed Rachid Trissia coordinates the schedule so all documents are ready well before the 60-day deadline.
After the Invitation
Steps After the ITA — Invitation to Apply
Receiving an ITA is excellent news — but it is also the start of a race against the clock. You have exactly 60 days to submit a complete and compliant application.
Days 1–5: Acknowledgment and Profile Verification
Confirm the ITA in your IRCC online account. Verify that all information in your EE profile exactly matches your documents. Any inconsistency can result in inadmissibility. Our firm immediately cross-checks all declared elements.
Days 5–30: Collecting and Preparing All Documents
Gathering the complete list of supporting documents: medical exams (urgent appointment booking), police certificate requests, certified translations, IRCC-format employment letters. Our firm provides a personalized checklist with estimated wait times for each document.
Days 30–55: Final Review and Biometrics Appointment
Complete review of each completed form. Verification of photos, signatures, translations. Submission of the biometrics request if not already done (appointment lead time: 2–3 weeks in major cities). Our firm confirms every document meets IRCC requirements before submitting.
Day 60 Maximum: Complete e-APR Submission
Secure electronic transmission of the complete file via the IRCC portal. After submission, IRCC sends an acknowledgment of receipt. The waiting period for a decision begins — during which you may continue to live and work in Canada if you are already there.
⚠️ 60 Days — No Extension Possible
IRCC does not grant extensions after an ITA. If you do not submit within 60 days, your ITA is cancelled and your profile returns to the EE pool — you will have to wait for the next draw. This is why preparing your application BEFORE receiving the ITA (having all documents ready in advance) is the strategy recommended by our firm.
Planning
Realistic Timelines by Chosen Pathway
Processing times vary by immigration pathway and IRCC's application volume. Here are the most current estimates for planning your project.
| Immigration Pathway | Timeline After Submission | Complexity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry (EE) | 6–12 months after e-APR submission | Moderate | Timeline calculated from submission, not from ITA |
| EE-aligned PNP | 12–18 months (nomination + federal PR) | Medium | Provincial nomination: 3–6 months + federal processing |
| Non-EE PNP | 18–24 months total | Medium | Longer provincial processing + federal processing |
| Spouse Sponsorship (in Canada) | 12–18 months | Moderate | Open work permit possible while waiting |
| Spouse Sponsorship (abroad) | 12–24 months | Medium | Timeline varies depending on partner's country |
| Humanitarian H&C Grounds | 24–48 months | High | Last resort — approval not guaranteed |
Note on timelines: These timelines are estimates based on IRCC data from 2025–2026. They may vary depending on application volumes, government priorities, and the completeness of your file. Our firm monitors processing times in real time and keeps you informed.
Budget to Plan For
2025 Government Fees — Permanent Residence
Government fees are set by IRCC and do not include firm fees. They are paid directly to IRCC upon file submission and are generally non-refundable.
| Fee Item | Amount (2025) | Who Pays? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR Processing Fee — adult | $1,565 CAD | Principal applicant + spouse | Includes Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($500) |
| PR Processing Fee — dependent child | $530 CAD | Per child included in the application | No Right of Permanent Residence Fee for minors |
| Biometrics | $85 CAD | Principal applicant (if not exempt) | Valid 10 years — may already be enrolled |
| Permanent Resident Card (PRC) | Included | Issued automatically upon landing | Valid 5 years from date of issue |
| Medical Examination | Variable (~$250–$400) | Applicant + family | Paid to IRCC-designated physician — non-refundable |
| Credential Assessment (ECA/WES) | ~$260 CAD | Principal applicant | Mandatory for FSW — processing time 5–8 weeks |
Sample budget for a family of 2 adults + 1 child: Processing fees: $1,565 × 2 + $530 = $3,660. Biometrics: $85 × 2 = $170. Medical exams: ~$900. ECA: ~$260. Estimated total government fees: approximately $4,990–$5,500 CAD, excluding firm fees and translation costs.
After Obtaining PR
Maintaining Your Permanent Resident Status
Obtaining permanent residence is not an end in itself — it is the beginning of a commitment to Canada. Your PR status is conditional on meeting the residency obligation defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
📋 The Residency Obligation: 730 Days Over 5 Years
To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in any 5-year period after obtaining your permanent residence — and at each PR card renewal.
- This obligation is verified at every PR card renewal (every 5 years)
- It is also checked at the border if an immigration officer has doubts
- Exceptions: working abroad for a Canadian employer, accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse
- A breach can lead to a status loss procedure — but humanitarian arguments can be raised
- Canadian citizenship, once obtained, permanently ends this obligation
Plan Your Travel
Before travelling abroad for an extended period, calculate your day balance. Our firm can perform this calculation with you and advise on potential risks to your status.
Renew Your PR Card
Your PR card is valid for 5 years. It must be renewed before expiry to be able to travel and return to Canada by air or sea. Form IMM 5444 is required. Fee: $50 CAD.
Aim for Citizenship
After 1,095 days of physical presence over 5 years (at least part of which as a PR), you can apply for Canadian citizenship — which permanently releases you from the residency obligation.
Our Added Value
Why Entrust Your Application to Pro Immigration Montréal?
Permanent residence is a life decision. An error in your file — an inconsistency, a missing document, an incorrect date — can lead to a refusal, an additional 12 to 24 month delay, or worse, inadmissibility. Our firm exists to ensure that doesn't happen.
RCIC Regulated Consultant
Mohamed Rachid Trissia is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), member of the CICC under number R420535. He is the only one authorized to represent you before IRCC. All consultations are covered by professional liability insurance and the CICC code of conduct.
Cross-Verification of Every Document
Every form, every translation, every employment letter is verified against IRCC evaluation grids. We never submit an incomplete or inconsistent file. Our rate of files returned or refused for documentary reasons is zero.
Optimal Pathway Selection
Before submitting, we analyze your complete profile to identify the fastest and most secure pathway for your situation: CRS score, target province, family connection, employment status. Strategy often determines the outcome of the file.
Personalized Follow-Up in English, French and Arabic
Our firm is based in Montreal. Consultations take place in person at 6000 Côte-des-Neiges #240, by phone or by video conference. We provide regular follow-up on your file and contact you at each important stage.
Your Permanent Residence, Step by Step
Mohamed Rachid Trissia, RCIC member CICC R420535, 15+ years of experience, guides you to the pathway best suited to your profile and prepares your complete application.