Becoming a permanent resident of Canada lets you enjoy the protection of Canada’s laws, access social benefits available for Canadians, and apply for full Canadian citizenship. However, achieving permanent resident status also requires you to comply with a number of requirements and submit specific documents, including an immigration medical exam.

Below, we’ve provided more details on five of the key requirements for becoming a permanent resident of Canada. Use this brief guide to help ensure you submit a complete application to the Government of Canada and give yourself the best chance of obtaining your new status without unnecessary setbacks or delays.

#1: Your Primary Identity Document

All applicants that come to Canada must present a valid form of primary identification. This is most often a valid passport, but could also be a certificate of identity issued by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (or the equivalent in a different country).

All forms of primary identification must include the following details:

• Document type and number

• Date of issue

• Date of expiry

• Your date of birth

• Your full legal name

• Your photo

In extremely rare cases, some applicants may be allowed to provide other identity documents issued outside Canada, or statutory declarations from both themselves and a person who knew them before their journey to Canada.

However, these documents must be accompanied by a letter explaining the exceptional circumstances that preclude the applicant from supplying the standard identity documents and may be subject to further investigation—potentially adding time to the application process as a whole.

#2: An Immigration Medical Exam

Many people applying for Permanent Residency to Canada (as well as prospective students, visitors, and temporary workers) must complete an immigration medical exam as part of the process. Getting an immigration medical exam helps verify that you will not be a health or safety risk to other people in Canada during your time here, and that you will not place undue strain on public healthcare resources.

Immigration medical exams typically involve:

• A questionnaire about your medical history, including information about medication you might be taking.

• A physical examination including measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, vision & hearing, and more.

• A mental examination looking for evidence of psychiatric conditions that might require specialized care.

• X-ray or other laboratory tests as required (including possible urinalysis, creatinine, and tests for syphilis or HIV).

Physical exams must be carried out by a government-approved panel physician. We provide this service at five different locations in the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton, North York, Scarborough, Toronto, and Oakville.

#3: A Police Certificate

Most people who apply to become permanent residents of Canada must submit a police certificate along with their application. Many students, tourists, temporary workers, and caregivers applying to visit Canada must also submit this document.

A police certificate helps the Government of Canada discover whether you have a criminal record. This information will be used to determine whether you are admissible to Canada. Note that while a criminal record can reduce your chances of a successful application, not all criminal charges make an applicant inadmissible. In particular, charges that have been stayed or withdrawn will not affect your eligibility for permanent residency.

#4: Paying Your Fees

All permanent residents must pay fees as part of their application process. These fees typically include a Right of Permanent Residence Fee that must be paid when your application is approved. Many applicants will also have to pay a processing fee, which differs depending on how you are applying for permanent residency (i.e. via business immigration, family sponsorship, or another method).

You can view the current fees for permanent residency applications here. For more information on how to pay these fees, visit this page. Select your country from the drop-down menu, and choose “Permanent residence” under “What type of application are you submitting?”

#5: Biometrics (Fingerprints & Photos)

Your biometrics include your fingerprints and photos. While people applying for visas to Canada as visitors, students, or temporary workers must submit this information before the rest of their application, prospective permanent residents must submit these items at the same time as the rest of their application.

Anyone applying to come to Canada for the first time must submit biometrics. However, if you have already given your biometric information when applying to come to Canada as a visitor, student, or temporary worker, this information is most likely still valid and does not need to be resubmitted.

To get your biometrics, you’ll need to pay a fee, after which you’ll receive a letter with further instructions. Follow those instructions closely to have your biometrics recorded at a valid location, and be sure to bring both the letter and your valid passport when you go for your appointment.

To avoid delays, be sure to book your appointment for biometrics as soon as your instruction letter arrives. Note also that all biometric information must be collected in person.

Get Ready to Complete Your PR Application

Knowing what documents to collect and steps to follow before you can become a permanent resident of Canada helps ensure your application will be processed in a timely manner, and increases your chances of successfully obtaining permanent resident status. Having your primary identity document(s), completing an immigration medical exam, getting a valid police certificate, paying your fees, and making an appointment to record your biometric information are all vital parts of the application process for the vast majority of permanent residents.

Panel Physician makes it easy to get your immigration medical exam in the Greater Toronto Area and will submit the results of your examination directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. To learn more about how we can help with your permanent resident application, contact us today and speak with someone on our team.