Permanent resident

Steps and rights specific to permanent-resident status in Quebec, from maintaining your status to the path to Canadian citizenship.

From COPR to citizenship · 10 steps

Access to nearly all public services: RAMQ, family allowance, Employment Insurance, free francisation.
Same rights as a citizen — except voting in general elections and some federal jobs.
Residence obligation: at least 730 days physically in Canada over any 5-year period.
Taxes are now worldwide: you declare income from anywhere, not just Canadian.
Citizenship possible after about 3 years of presence in the last 5, plus the test and oath ceremony.

1
ON ARRIVAL
COPR — Confirmation of permanent residence
At the airport, the CBSA officer validates your COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) and stamps your passport. You become a permanent resident at that exact moment. Keep the COPR — you'll need it until your PR card arrives.
See the first-week checklist
Also useful
2
FIRST WEEKS
PR card arrives by mail
The PR card is mailed to the Canadian address you provided, within 6 to 12 weeks of arrival. If you change addresses during the wait, update your contact info on the IRCC website to avoid the card being returned.
See the PR card guide
Also useful
- ↳The SIN — Social Insurance Number
- ↳Government websites
3
FIRST WEEKS
Housing — rent, then perhaps buy
Most new permanent residents start by renting, while they get to know the neighbourhoods. The Quebec residential lease follows a precise legal framework — read it before signing. Later, with an established Canadian credit history, buying a property becomes an option.
Read the Quebec lease guide
Also useful
4
FIRST WEEKS
RAMQ — file the application, plan for the waiting period
Like any newcomer, you have a waiting period of up to 3 months before RAMQ coverage begins. Minor children are covered from arrival, and people from a country with a social security agreement with Quebec (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) are exempt. File your application as soon as you have a permanent address.
Without coverage during the waiting period, an ER visit can cost thousands of dollars. Take out private insurance from the moment you arrive.
Read the RAMQ guide
Also useful
5
FIRST MONTH
Permanent SIN (starts with 9 if you had a temporary one before)
If you had a temporary SIN (starting with 9) as a worker, you must convert it to a permanent SIN once you become a permanent resident. Service Canada — bring your COPR or PR card.
Read the SIN guide
Also useful
- ↳Open a bank account
- ↳The taxes guide
6
FIRST MONTHS
Your social benefits
As a permanent resident, you have full and stable access to social benefits. Worth exploring: the Family Allowance (paid automatically for each dependent child once you've filed a tax return), Employment Insurance if you lose your job after contributing, and free French classes with an allowance. Look into them early — some benefits are not retroactive.
Family Allowance
Also useful
7
THROUGHOUT YOUR PR LIFE
Status maintenance — 730 days over 5 years
You must accumulate at least 730 days (2 years) of physical presence in Canada over any rolling 5-year period. Some exemptions apply (working abroad for a Canadian company, accompanying a citizen spouse). Keep a travel log — you'll need to justify it at renewal and for citizenship.
If you fall below 730 days over 5 years, you risk losing your PR status at entry or at renewal.
See the PR card guide
Also useful
8
EVERY YEAR
Worldwide taxes — declare all your income
As a Canadian tax resident, you now declare your worldwide income (not just Canadian) to the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec. Tax treaties avoid double taxation for most countries, but you must still declare.
Read the taxes guide
Also useful
- ↳Understand GST and QST
- ↳Understand your pay stub
9
BEFORE EXPIRY (5 YEARS)
PR card renewal
The PR card is valid for 5 years. Start the renewal application 6 to 12 months before expiry. Without a valid card, you can't board a commercial flight back to Canada.
See the PR card guide
Also useful
10
AFTER 3 YEARS OF PRESENCE
Canadian citizenship application
After 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada (over the 5 years preceding the application), you are eligible for Canadian citizenship. Test + oath ceremony. Dual citizenship is generally permitted by Canada — check your country of origin's rules.
Read the citizenship guide
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