20 Myths About Canadian Permanent Residency: A Newcomer’s Guide

Firstly, if you’ve just received your Permanent Resident (PR) status—a huge, heartfelt congratulations from us here at TrueCanadianFinds! It’s an incredible achievement.

But let’s be honest, after the celebration, the reality sets in, and it can be a bit confusing, right? I remember that feeling myself. There’s so much conflicting advice from friends, family, and online forums.

These misunderstandings can cause unnecessary stress, lead to missed opportunities, or even put your hard-won status at risk.

That’s why we’re going to walk through the 20 most common myths about Canadian PR. Think of this as a chat with a friend who’s been there. Let’s clear up the confusion so you can feel confident and in control as you start your new life in Canada.

20 Myths About Maintaining Your PR Status

Myth #1: “‘Permanent’ means forever, no strings attached.”

The Reality: While it feels wonderfully permanent, your PR status comes with a key responsibility. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you must meet the residency obligation to maintain your status.

Let’s break it down:

• The 730-Day Rule: You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (that’s 2 years) during every 5-year period. These days don’t have to be all in a row, thankfully!
• Losing Your Status: You can lose your PR status if you don’t meet this residency obligation. It can also be revoked for serious criminality or if there was fraud in your application.
• My ‘Been There’ Tip: Get a simple notebook or use a spreadsheet to track your days outside Canada. It feels a bit like homework, but it provides total peace of mind and saves you from a scramble when it’s time to renew your PR card.

Myth #2: “If my PR card expires, I’ve lost my status.”

The Reality: This is one of the most common panic-inducers! Your PR card is a travel document, not your actual status.

• I’ll never forget the mini-panic. I had seeing my first PR card’s expiry date. I thought, “How come the PR card has an expiry!” But here’s the deal: your status is separate from that little piece of plastic.
• If your card expires while you’re outside Canada, you’ll need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to get back in. It’s a hassle, so it’s best to avoid it.
• Newcomer Focus: For your first few weeks in Canada, your signed Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document is your golden ticket. You’ll need it to apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and open a bank account. Keep it safe!

Myth #3: “I can live outside Canada for long stretches without any issues.”

The Reality: Unless you meet specific exceptions, lengthy absences can jeopardize your status. You must respect the 730-day residency rule.

• There are some exceptions, like if you’re accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse abroad or are employed by a Canadian company that has assigned you to a position overseas.
• Practical Advice: If your life requires you to be outside Canada for a long time, don’t just hope for the best. It’s wise to consult an immigration professional to ensure you’re compliant.

Myths About Your Rights and Limitations

Myth #4: “As a PR, I can vote in elections.”

The Reality: The right to vote or run for political office is one of the key distinctions reserved for Canadian citizens. You can absolutely get involved in community advocacy or volunteer for a political campaign, but you can’t cast a ballot in federal, provincial, or municipal elections.

Myth #5: “My PR status gets me a Canadian passport.”

The Reality: A Canadian passport is another right reserved exclusively for Canadian citizens. As a PR, you’ll continue to travel internationally using the passport from your country of citizenship. Your PR card is your key to re-entering Canada.

Myth #6: “PRs have the exact same rights as Canadian citizens.”

The Reality: You have most of the same fundamental rights, but with a few key differences.

• What you CAN do: Live, work, or study anywhere in Canada; receive protection under Canadian law; and access most social benefits, including provincial healthcare.
• What you CAN’T do: Vote or run for office, hold a Canadian passport, or hold some high-security government jobs.

Myth #7: “I have to give up my original citizenship.”

The Reality: Becoming a Canadian PR has no impact on your citizenship in your home country. Canada allows for dual citizenship, so even when you eventually become a Canadian citizen, you won’t necessarily have to renounce your original citizenship (unless your home country requires it).

Myths About Your Responsibilities

Myth #8: “I don’t need to file Canadian taxes until I’m a citizen.”

The Reality: As a resident of Canada, you are required to file a tax return every year. This is non-negotiable! This is a crucial part of your financial life in Canada, and it’s important to understand the different types of taxes you’ll encounter.

• Newcomer Focus: This is actually great news! Filing your taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by the April 30th deadline is how you become eligible for benefits like the GST/HST credit
  and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This is money back in your pocket that can be a real help when you’re getting set up.
• Failing to file can cause major issues down the road, especially when you apply for citizenship.

Myth #9: “My PR status is the same as a work permit.”

The Reality: PR status is so much more! A work permit is temporary and usually ties you to a specific employer or occupation. As a Permanent Resident, you have the freedom to work for almost any employer, in any province, or even start your own business. The cage is open!

Myth #10: “I can bring all my family members to Canada immediately.”

The Reality: While you can sponsor certain relatives, it’s a separate application process with its own eligibility requirements. For families preparing for this journey, our article with the printable moving to Canada with family checklist can be a lifesaver.

You can typically sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent children. Sponsoring parents and grandparents is possible through the Parents and Grandparents Program, which has specific intake periods and financial requirements.

PR Myths vs. Realities: A Quick Recap

We’ve covered a lot of ground already! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so here’s a quick summary table of the most critical points so far.

Common Myth	The Reality in Canada
“My PR status is permanent forever.”	PR status is conditional. You must live in Canada for at least 730 days in every 5-year period to maintain it.
“An expired PR card means my status is gone.”	False. The card is a travel document. Your status remains valid, but you’ll need a PRTD to re-enter Canada if the card expires while you’re abroad.
“I can vote in Canadian elections.”	This right is reserved for Canadian citizens only. Permanent Residents cannot vote or run for political office.
“I absolutely need a Canadian job offer to get PR.”	While very helpful, a job offer is not mandatory for all immigration streams. Many successful applicants are invited based on their points alone.

Ready to keep going? Let’s tackle the next set of common misconceptions.

Myths About the Path to PR

Myth #11: “Buying a house in Canada will get me PR.”

The Reality: This is a big one, but unfortunately, it’s false. Unlike some other countries, Canada does not have a direct “buy property, get residency” program.

Your eligibility for PR is based on factors like your age, education, work experience, and language skills—not real estate investments.

Myth #13: “I absolutely need a Canadian job offer to get PR.”

The Reality: A job offer is incredibly helpful and adds a lot of points to your profile, but it’s not always mandatory. Many successful applicants receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry based on their high score from other factors alone.

Myth #14: “Paying a consultant guarantees I will get PR.”

The Reality: No one can guarantee you PR status. Be very wary of anyone who does!

While a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer can provide valuable guidance and help you avoid mistakes, they cannot influence the final decision made by the IRCC officer. The decision is always up to the Government of Canada.

Myth #15: “Once I have PR, all provinces are the same.”

The Reality: While your PR gives you the right to live anywhere, each province is unique! For example, healthcare is administered provincially. When you move to Ontario, you apply for an OHIP card, but in British Columbia, it’s the MSP.

Some provinces have a three-month waiting period for new residents to get health coverage. It’s crucial to research your specific province’s rules.

Myths About Daily Life as a New PR

Myth #16: “I get free healthcare from the moment I land.”

The Reality: As mentioned above, some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months before your provincial health coverage kicks in.

For example, in Mississauga where I live, you must wait three months for your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage to begin. For the record, it can in less than a month.

It’s essential to get private health insurance to cover you and your family for those first 90 days. This ensures you’re covered for any emergency healthcare needs before your provincial plan is active.

Myth #17: “My credit history from back home doesn’t matter.”

The Reality: You will be starting from scratch with a Canadian credit history. Your excellent credit score from your home country won’t transfer over.

• My ‘Been There’ Tip: One of your first stops should be a major bank (like RBC, CIBC, or Scotiabank) to open a “newcomer package” account. Get a secured credit card right away and use it for small purchases (like your daily Tim Hortons coffee!), paying it off in full every month. This is the fastest way to building credit in Canada from the ground up.

Myth #18: “PR status automatically covers my children’s university fees.”

The Reality: Your children will be considered domestic students, which is a huge advantage! This means their tuition fees will be significantly lower than those for international students.

However, post-secondary education is not free in Canada, and you will still be responsible for these much-reduced tuition fees.

Myth #19: “A child born in Canada to PR parents is not a citizen.”

The Reality: This is a happy myth to bust! As outlined in Canada’s Citizenship Act, with very few exceptions, any child born on Canadian soil is automatically a Canadian citizen.

They will have a Canadian birth certificate and be eligible for a Canadian passport.

Myth #20: “The ‘cost of living’ I see online is what I’ll actually pay.”

The Reality: Those online calculators are a good starting point, but they often miss the “newcomer costs.”

For the first year, you’ll have extra expenses like setting up your apartment from scratch (furniture from IKEA or Structube can add up!), paying for professional licenses, winter clothing (a good parka is a non-negotiable investment!), and maybe even a car.

Budget for more than you think you’ll need.

Frequently Asked Questions About PR Status

Conclusion

Whew, that’s a lot to take in! But hopefully, by busting these common myths, you feel a little less overwhelmed and a lot more empowered. Your journey as a Permanent Resident is just beginning, and it’s filled with incredible opportunities.

Navigating the details is part of the adventure. Always refer to the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website as your ultimate source of truth.

Welcome to Canada! We’re so glad you’re here.