Canadian Permanent Residents are entitled to live and work anywhere in Canada, enjoy many of the privileges of Canadian Citizenship, may apply for Canadian Citizenship after 3 years and may sponsor family members for Canadian Permanent Resident status.

There are different ways to qualify for Canadian Permanent Resident Status:

1. Skilled Workers/Professionals: Skilled workers and Professionals are assessed upon a series of factors, i.e. a point system, which is designated to indicate the likelihood of becoming economically established in Canada.
2. Business Immigrants: Foreign individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high networth may apply for Canadian Permanent Resident status under three subcategories.
3. Family Sponsorships:  In certain circumstances, Canadian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to sponsor their close relatives from abroad.
   

To become a Canadian Permanent Resident, a foreign individual must apply for and be issued a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa. A foreign individual who wishes to settle in Montreal or another city in the Province of Quebec must also apply for a Quebec Certificate of Selection.