Canadian Citizenship

• Home
• Blog
• Benefits of Canadian Citizenship: 5 Reasons to Trade in Your PR Card

Citizenship Week

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship: 5 Reasons to Trade in Your PR Card

Published on: October 11th, 2016

Last updated: February 2nd, 2022

By: Rebecca Major

As a Canadian permanent resident, you benefit from many of the same resources as those with citizenship status. You have access to publicly funded schools and healthcare, can live and work anywhere in Canada, and your civil liberties are protected under Canadian law and by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So, what are the benefits of trading in your permanent residence status for Canadian citizenship?

1. You can vote

Canada operates as a parliamentary democracy. At every federal election, every Canadian citizen over the age of 18 can cast a ballot to vote for our Prime Minister. But in addition to federal elections, there are also regular provincial and municipal elections that citizens can vote in.

Voting gives you a say in who runs your country, province, territory, and town. This a major benefit and responsibility of Canadian citizenship.

2. You can run for office

As a Canadian citizen, you can also run for office. If you’re interested you can run in municipal, provincial, or federal elections.

There are several major political parties in Canada. If you’re interested in getting involved in politics, you can join a youth wing, or run as an independent candidate.

3. You can travel freely

As a Canadian citizen, you can apply to get a Canadian passport. Unlike PR cards, passports only need to be renewed every 5-10 years.

The Canadian passport is ranked among the best in the world. With a Canadian passport, you can travel to a number of countries around the world without needing a visa. Your Canadian passport will also allow you to re-enter the country more easily than your permanent residence travel documents would.

4. Your kids will be Canadians

If you are a Canadian citizen and you have a child, whether that child is born in Canada or not, they are automatically a Canadian citizen. This means they can benefit from your status without going through the same process of applying for Canadian citizenship.

If you are a permanent resident, your child will be a Canadian citizen only if that child is born in Canada. If your child is born abroad, you will have to sponsor him or her.

5. You can live anywhere

As a Canadian citizen, you are free to live anywhere in the world you like for as long as you like, and you will not lose your citizenship. Unlike permanent residency, there are no residency requirements for Canadian citizens. The only restriction is that Canadians living abroad for a period of more than five years lose the right to vote in federal elections.

Did you know: Since 1977, the Canadian government has recognized multiple citizenship. That means that you don’t have to give up your previous citizenship when you become a Canadian citizen.

You can’t benefit from Canadian citizenship without first becoming a permanent resident. Complete our free online assessment today to discover your options for Canadian immigration.