Canada PR after asylum, protected person permanent residence Canada, how to apply PR after refugee status, asylum acceptance letter permanent residence, IRCC protected person PR 2026
Introduction
Receiving your asylum acceptance letter from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is a life-changing moment. But it is only the beginning of your journey. Being recognized as a Protected Person means you are now eligible to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada — but it does not happen automatically.
If the IRB determined you to be a person in need of protection or a Convention refugee, or if you received a positive decision on your Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) from IRCC, you are a Protected Person and may apply for permanent residence. Canada.ca
This guide walks you through every step of the process, based on the current official requirements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Government of Canada.
We Handle Your Full Application
Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation with our immigration team — we specialize in Protected Person PR applications and can review your case within 24 hours. Start Now
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
You are eligible to apply if the IRB or IRCC has determined that you are a Protected Person or a Protected Temporary Resident, and you are not: a Convention refugee in another country where you could go and live permanently without fear of persecution; a citizen, national, or permanent resident of a country other than the one you left, where you could go and live permanently without fear of persecution; or already a permanent resident of Canada.
- Convention Refugees recognized by the IRB
- Persons in Need of Protection under Section 97 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
- Persons who received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) from IRCC
- Members of the Protected Temporary Residents Class (PTRC)
Important: Designated Foreign Nationals (DFNs)
You can apply for permanent residence anytime after being notified by the IRB or by IRCC that you are a Protected Person, unless you have been named as a Designated Foreign National (DFN). DFNs are not eligible to apply for permanent resident status for a period of at least five years, to a maximum of six years. If you have been named a DFN, you will have been notified in writing.
Important Note for Applicants Living in Québec
If you live in the province of Québec, the process includes an additional provincial step. If you have been recognized as a refugee or a person in need of protection in Canada and you live in Québec, you must submit an application for permanent selection to the Government of Québec (to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec — CSQ), at the same time as submitting your application for permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
You do not have to wait to obtain your CSQ to submit your IRCC application. The CSQ is valid for 24 months. However, if you have an application for permanent residence currently being processed, your CSQ will remain valid until a decision is made by IRCC, even if your CSQ has expired.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Gather Your Documents
Complete the IRCC Forms
Pay Your Fees
Submit Your Application
Biometrics & Decision
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
The first step is to collect all required documents for yourself and any family members you are including in your application. Missing even one required document can cause IRCC to return your entire application.
According to IRCC’s official guide (IMM 5205), you must include:
Proof of Protected Person or Convention Refugee Status
- The letter you received with your positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (your IRB Notice of Decision); OR
- The Verification of Status (VOS) document you received with your positive PRRA decision from IRCC; OR
- The Temporary Resident Permit, if you are a Protected Temporary Resident.
Identity Documents:
All identity documents and relationship documents for the principal applicant and for all family members who are inside or outside Canada and are included in the application for permanent residence. All documents must have been issued from your home country, before your entry into Canada. Examples include: passport, travel document, birth certificate, identity cards, baptismal record, and school certificate as proof of identity.
If you do not have any documents that prove your identity or family relation, submit your application without them and IRCC will contact you. It is to your benefit to provide all supporting documentation.
Photos:
Include 2 passport-sized photos of yourself and each of your family members inside or outside Canada, in a small envelope. Write the name of each person on the back of each photo and attach the envelope to the application form.
Payment Receipt:
Proof of payment of your application fees (see Step 3 below).
Document Translation:
You must include the English or French translation and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator) along with any document that is not in English or French. Translations may be done by a person who is fluent in both languages, or by a Canadian certified translator — a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada.
Step 2: Complete the Application Forms
Use the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). You must also complete Schedule 14 – Protected Persons and Convention Refugees (IMM 0008 – Schedule 14), Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669), Additional Family Information (IMM 5406), and if you have a representative, Use of a Representative (IMM 5476). Canada.ca
Fill out every applicable form completely and accurately. Errors, omissions, or inconsistencies between your forms and your original refugee claim are among the most common reasons applications are returned or delayed.
Important: Do Not Apply for a New Passport
Do not get a new passport or renew the one you have if your passport is expired. If you apply for a new passport or renew your current passport, you risk losing your protected person status.
We Handle Your Full Application
Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation with our immigration team — we specialize in Protected Person PR applications and can review your case within 24 hours. Start Now
Step 3: Pay the Application Fees
Fees must be paid online — only online payments are accepted in Canada. If any other forms of payment are received, IRCC will return your application.
The processing fee for the principal applicant is $635, even if the principal applicant is a minor child.
Key fee information for Protected Persons:
Dependent children and certain categories — such as refugees and protected persons — are exempt from paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). This is a significant saving compared to other immigration categories, where the RPRF is $575 per adult.
Photos:
Include 2 passport-sized photos of yourself and each of your family members inside or outside Canada, in a small envelope. Write the name of each person on the back of each photo and attach the envelope to the application form.
Payment Receipt:
Proof of payment of your application fees (see Step 3 below).
Document Translation:
You must include the English or French translation and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator) along with any document that is not in English or French. Translations may be done by a person who is fluent in both languages, or by a Canadian certified translator — a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada.
How to pay:
To pay your fees, go to the IRCC Online Payment tool and follow the online instructions. At the end, click on the button to print the IRCC official receipt with barcode. Print two copies, save a copy on your computer, and attach one printed copy of the receipt to your application.
On April 30, 2026, fees will increase for all permanent residence applications. If you are preparing your application now, submit and pay before April 30, 2026 to lock in the current fees.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
You have two options for submitting your application:
Proof of Protected Person or Convention Refugee Status
Option A — Online (Recommended):
For Protected Person Permanent Residence applications in the online Permanent Residence Portal, select “Refugee” as the program and “In Canada – Protected Person” as the category. Provide a title for your application.
Option B — By Mail or Courier:
You can also send your paper application to IRCC by mail or courier. Always make copies of all your final signed documents to keep for your own records. The mailing address is: Protected Persons in Canada application, Box 12153 STN A, Sydney, NS, B1P 0L1. Alternatively: Protected Persons in Canada application, 3050 Wilson Avenue, New Waterford, NS, B1H 5V8.
Including Family Members Abroad:
As of December 4, 2019, Protected Persons who apply for permanent residence in Canada and wish to include their dependent family members (spouses, partners, and dependent children) who reside outside of Canada may also submit their completed application forms together with their own completed application to the Case Processing Centre — Mississauga. Submitting completed applications for your dependent family members outside Canada earlier in the process may increase efficiency in processing the applications.
Your Obligation to Declare All Family Members:
All of your family members must be listed on your application. If you do not list all your children (including adopted children) or your spouse and/or partner, you will not be able to sponsor them at a later date. Family members abroad whose whereabouts are unknown, but who are listed in your application, will have one year from the day you are granted permanent residence to apply for permanent residence at a visa office.
Step 5: Provide Biometrics
If you are required to give biometrics and you are applying from within Canada, you can go to a designated Service Canada location. Once you have paid the application and biometrics fees, you will get a Biometric Instructions Letter (BIL), which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from. You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point. You cannot give your biometrics without this letter. IRCC will start processing your application after they receive your biometrics. Canada.ca
Give your biometrics as soon as possible after receiving the BIL. Every day of delay is a day your application is not being processed.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
After your application is submitted and biometrics provided, IRCC will conduct background checks, security screening, and a review of your file.
Current Processing Times (as of early 2026):
Protected persons inside Canada outside Quebec have seen a processing time improvement to approximately 17 months. If you live in Quebec, processing times remain significantly longer due to the additional provincial approval layer. Immigration News Canada
Processing times are updated weekly on the IRCC website. You can check your personalized estimated wait time using the IRCC processing time tool at canada.ca, which now allows you to enter the date you applied to see where your application stands in the queue.
Your processing time starts the day IRCC receives your complete application and ends when a decision is made. It may vary depending on how many applications they receive or if your application is complex. Your application may be delayed or returned if it is not complete.
What you can do to speed up processing:
To help make sure your application is processed as fast as possible: send all documents and information IRCC has asked for with your application; pay your application and biometric fees; provide your biometrics as soon as possible; and tell IRCC if your contact information or the contact information of your dependent family members changes.
Step 7: Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR Card
If your application for permanent residence is approved, IRCC will send you a letter confirming your approval. Your PR card will arrive in the mail. It is important to keep your address updated with IRCC so you do not miss this letter. Sometimes, IRCC asks to interview you. They may want you to confirm facts or send them more information. Once IRCC has what they need, you could also obtain your PR status at a final interview. Kinbrace
Most PR cards are valid for 5 years. Some are valid for only one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. Six months before your PR card expires, you should apply to renew your card. It costs $50 to renew your card. If your PR card expires or you do not have one, it does not mean that you lose your permanent resident status — but having a PR card is good proof of your status in Canada and makes it easier to return to Canada if you travel outside. Steps to Justice
Important Considerations: Travelling While Your Application Is Pending
If you wish to leave Canada while your application for permanent residence is being processed, you may apply for a Refugee Travel Document from IRCC. You will need to provide proof of status in Canada. If you are a Convention refugee, you can use the letter of decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board. If you received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, you can use your Verification of Status document, or apply for one. Canada.ca
Do not attempt to travel on a passport from your country of origin if your protection was based on a well-founded fear of persecution from that country. Consult a licensed immigration professional before making any travel plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my spouse and children in my application even if they are outside Canada?
Yes. Your family members include your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children, and any children that are their dependent children. Family members abroad may be included in your application and will have one year from the day you are granted permanent residence to apply for permanent residence at a visa office. Canada.ca
What counts as a dependent child?
Your child can be considered a dependent child if, at the time IRCC or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) received your refugee claim (the lock-in date), they were under 22 years old and did not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependants only if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22 and are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition. Canada.ca
Do Protected Persons have to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee?
No. Protected Persons, including Convention refugees, are exempt from paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). However, you are still required to pay the processing fee. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
What happens if I do not include a family member on my application?
If you do not list all your children (including adopted children) or your spouse and/or partner, you will not be able to sponsor them at a later date. This is a permanent consequence — always declare all family members, even if you are unsure whether to include them in processing. Canada.ca
Is there financial help available to bring my family to Canada?
Protected Persons seeking permanent residence may be eligible under the Immigration Loan Program for a loan covering costs associated with transportation and medical examinations of their family members outside Canada. Loans are approved on the basis of need and the applicant’s ability to repay. Canada.ca
What is the current processing time for Protected Person PR applications?
As of early 2026, protected persons inside Canada outside Quebec have seen processing times of approximately 17 months. Quebec applicants face longer waits due to the additional provincial processing step. Processing times are updated weekly. always check the IRCC website for the most current estimate. Immigration News Canada
We Handle Your Full Application
Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation with our immigration team — we specialize in Protected Person PR applications and can review your case within 24 hours. Start Now
Why Work With a Licensed Immigration Consultant?
The Protected Person PR process involves multiple forms, strict document requirements, fees, deadlines, and provincial steps (for Quebec residents). A single error can result in your application being returned — meaning weeks or months of delay and restarting the process.
A licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) can review your complete file before submission, ensure all forms are correct and up to date, advise you on including family members, and respond quickly if IRCC requests additional information.
Submit Your Information
Please complete the form. Our team will review your details and contact you shortly.
