Hello, everybody,
At which moment does someone become a permanent resident of Canada? Does it happen when the positive decision is made on his/her application (irrespective of the immigration category)? Or, when the PR visa is issued and placed in that person's passport? Or, when this person actually lands in Canada? Or, when this person receives the PR card?
From which of these moments this person is considered a permanent resident of Canada in CIC's view? Where is the borderline? Is there a document/publication/law that specifies that? All I was able to find was wikipedia:
The term "landed immigrant" (French: immigrant reçu) is an old classification for a person who has been admitted to Canada as a non-Canadian citizen permanent resident. The current official classification for such a person is simply "permanent resident". The term "Landed immigrant" has been in use for so long that it is still part of the Canadian vocabulary and still appears in some government publications and forms.
To become a landed immigrant from outside Canada, one has to legally enter Canada, or "land", at one of the designated ports of entry. Upon entry the immigrant's passport will be stamped with the words "Immigrant Landed". Once the immigrant has landed, an IMM 1000 form (Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence) will be given to provide an official record of landed status. If granted a permanent residency visa while living in Canada as a temporary resident (for example on a study or work permit or holding a visitor record), the applicant must still officially land and achieve the landed immigrant status. Previously many have left the country through the U.S./Canada border, either entering the U.S. or receiving a refusal notice, and then re-entered Canada through customs. Since late 2008 some, but not most, may now "land" at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada office in Canada.
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Within Canada vs Outside Canada application.
The Permanent Residence process has two categories that are a critical part of the process and can have very different effects if a person applies incorrectly. While the "Application Status" web application on the CIC website reflects the categorical difference, the ramifications are not clearly identified at the time of application.
An application by a "Landed Immigrant" from within Canada is referred to as a "Within Canada" application.
An application from outside Canada is an "Outside Canada" application.
A "Within Canada" application leads to an "Approval in Principle" once the application is reviewed, at which point the applicant may apply for Provincial health care while the "Permanent Residence" application is processed. Approval in Principle takes approximately 17 months.
An "Outside Canada" application is intended for those who intend to resettle but have not moved yet and do not intend to move until they become a PR. It will not lead to an "Approval in Principle" as the applicant is assumed to not move until the process is complete and the person has the "Permanent Residence" card in hand. An applicant may enter the country as a visitor and be entered on a "Visitor Record;" but will not become eligible for such social elements as a Drivers License or Health Care until the entire process is complete. As of Apr 2014 that process takes 15–24 months.
However, this still doesn't clarify at what specific point someone becomes a PR.
At which moment does someone become a permanent resident of Canada? Does it happen when the positive decision is made on his/her application (irrespective of the immigration category)? Or, when the PR visa is issued and placed in that person's passport? Or, when this person actually lands in Canada? Or, when this person receives the PR card?
From which of these moments this person is considered a permanent resident of Canada in CIC's view? Where is the borderline? Is there a document/publication/law that specifies that? All I was able to find was wikipedia:
The term "landed immigrant" (French: immigrant reçu) is an old classification for a person who has been admitted to Canada as a non-Canadian citizen permanent resident. The current official classification for such a person is simply "permanent resident". The term "Landed immigrant" has been in use for so long that it is still part of the Canadian vocabulary and still appears in some government publications and forms.
To become a landed immigrant from outside Canada, one has to legally enter Canada, or "land", at one of the designated ports of entry. Upon entry the immigrant's passport will be stamped with the words "Immigrant Landed". Once the immigrant has landed, an IMM 1000 form (Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence) will be given to provide an official record of landed status. If granted a permanent residency visa while living in Canada as a temporary resident (for example on a study or work permit or holding a visitor record), the applicant must still officially land and achieve the landed immigrant status. Previously many have left the country through the U.S./Canada border, either entering the U.S. or receiving a refusal notice, and then re-entered Canada through customs. Since late 2008 some, but not most, may now "land" at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada office in Canada.
..........................................................
Within Canada vs Outside Canada application.
The Permanent Residence process has two categories that are a critical part of the process and can have very different effects if a person applies incorrectly. While the "Application Status" web application on the CIC website reflects the categorical difference, the ramifications are not clearly identified at the time of application.
An application by a "Landed Immigrant" from within Canada is referred to as a "Within Canada" application.
An application from outside Canada is an "Outside Canada" application.
A "Within Canada" application leads to an "Approval in Principle" once the application is reviewed, at which point the applicant may apply for Provincial health care while the "Permanent Residence" application is processed. Approval in Principle takes approximately 17 months.
An "Outside Canada" application is intended for those who intend to resettle but have not moved yet and do not intend to move until they become a PR. It will not lead to an "Approval in Principle" as the applicant is assumed to not move until the process is complete and the person has the "Permanent Residence" card in hand. An applicant may enter the country as a visitor and be entered on a "Visitor Record;" but will not become eligible for such social elements as a Drivers License or Health Care until the entire process is complete. As of Apr 2014 that process takes 15–24 months.
However, this still doesn't clarify at what specific point someone becomes a PR.
) is not considered a relative for immigration purposes. But no one was able to tell me whether my wife is a PR or not at this point.