A permanent resident (PR) refers to an individual who immigrates to Canada and obtains permanent residency status. They are not Canadian citizen, but nationals of another country or stateless. Being a PR means you can enjoy most public benefits like Canadian citizens, including traveling to some countries without applying for a visa. In this passage, we are going to talk about the rights of Canadian PRs, requirements of traveling outside the country, and visa-free countries for Canadian PR card holders.
Benefits of Being a Canada Permanent Resident
As a Canadian PR, you are eligible to:
- access most citizenship benefits in Canada, such as social insurance and healthcare insurance as an employee
- live, work or study in any place within Canada without extra visas
- apply for Canadian citizenship (if eligible)
- enjoy protection under Canadian laws and regulations
- file taxes
However, a PR is not allowed to vote, campaign for political office or take a position with a high level of security clearance.
Travelling Outside Canada as a Permanent Resident
Canadian permanent residents who travel outside the country must show a valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) on the returning trip whether they are taking a commercial vehicle (e.g. airplane, bus, boat, train or bus) or private vehicle (e.g. self-owned, borrowed or rented car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle).
If you don’t have the card or it has expired, please apply for or renew it before departure. Please note that only when you are in Canada can you get the card.
If you are outside Canada and don’t have a (valid) card, please obtain a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), which can be done through the permanent residence portal or a local visa application center (VAC).
If your card hasn’t arrived before your trip, please request a PRTD from another country before returning.
Canadian Permanent Resident Visa Application Process
You can apply for a Canadian PR card through Express Entry program if you have received an invitation. After receiving the invitation, you can fill out the the application form and upload required documents. Documents including police certificates, proof of fund, proof of relationship to a relative in Canada, digital PR photo and any other document relevant to application should be submitted. Then pay your biometric fees and submit the complete application. Plus, programs such as Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Quebec Immigration Investment Program provide paths to permanent resident.
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How Many Countries Can Canadian PR Travel without Visa?
Canadian PR holders can travel 35 countries without visa in 2024. You should prepare required documents before the travel. To access visa-free travel, you need to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident card, a valid passport from your country. Plus, you must be from an eligible nationality and follow entry requirements.
Which Countries Can Canadian Permanent Resident Travel Without Visa
Although permanent residents don’t have a Canadian passport, they are also welcome in some countries without a visa like Canadian citizens. In this section, we will introduce more than 20 visa-free countries for Canadian PR.
| Country | Duration of stay | Country | Duration of stay |
| All Dutch Caribbean territories | 90 days | El Salvador | 90 days |
| Anguilla | 90 days | Cuba | 30 days |
| Bahamas | 30 days | Honduras | 90 days |
| Belize | 30 days | Jamaica | 180 days |
| Bermuda | 180 days | Mexico | 180 days |
| British Virgin Islands | 180 days | Nicaragua | 90 days |
| Cayman Islands | 60 days | Qatar | 30 days |
| Costa Rica | 30 days | Taiwan | 30 days |
| South Korea | 30 days | Georgia | 90 days |
| Dominican Republic | 30 days | Guatemala | 90 days |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 90 days | Panama | 30 days or 180 days |
- All Dutch Caribbean Territories
It refers to previous or current territories, colonies, and countries of the Dutch Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Maarten, and St Eustatius islands. Canadian PRs are allowed to enter these areas with a valid PR card and passport and without a visa. You can stay up to 90 days (3 months) upon arrival.
- Anguilla
Holders of Canadian PR cards are not required to request a visa to enter Anguilla and stay for a maximum of 90 days, but they have to present a valid passport from their country of origin.
- Bahamas
Permanent residents of Canada can stay in the country for 30 days at most without visas while citizens of Canada are given a 8-month stay. Travelers are required to show a valid passport from their country of origin, an original copy of Canadian PR card, and a returning ticket. Please note that your travel document must have at least 3 months of validity period (for direct travel) or 6 months (for transiting through other countries) after leaving the Bahamas.
- Belize
People in possession of a PR Card from Canada are exempt from a Belize entry visa to stay up to 30 days as long as they provide valid travel documents, a completed application form, and an itinerary.
- Bermuda
Any residents from Canada enjoy a 180-day visa-free visit to this beautiful island, but passports and returning tickets are required.
- The British Virgin Islands
They include the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, as well as another 50 smaller islands and cays. Its visa-exemption policy applies to Canadian residents to stay within 180 days (6 months). Passports or travel documents of Canada should have at least 6 months of validity period from the date of traveling and 2 blank sheets. Additionally, a travel itinerary and proof of funds are also requested.
- Costa Rica
Costa Rica was added to Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) program in 2023. That is to say, Costa Rica citizens can apply for an eTA instead of a visa when flying to Canada. This country also allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and student or work visa holders to enter without a visa. For PRs, they can stay for 30 days as long as their passport of original nationality and the PR card must have at least 6 months of validity. Moreover, they have to prove that they can afford at least US$100 of expenses per person per month in Costa Rica, they have booked a ticket to leave the country and they are not impeded entry.
- Cuba
If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can enter Cuba without a visa, but with a valid passport, PR card, and tourist card which can be obtained at the airline counter or while onboarding.
- Dominican Republic
Any residents with legal status in Canada, including citizens and PRs, are allowed to visit the country without a visa. No visa is required when staying within 30 days.
- El Salvador
Foreign travelers with Canadian permanent residency status do not need a visa to enter El Salvador. The maximum period of stay is 90 days.
- Georgia
Canada citizens can take a visa-free trip to Georgia for the purpose of traveling and stay for 365 days while a valid Canadian visa or permanent residence permit holders can stay for 90 days during a 180-day period.
- Guatemala
Citizens of 83 “Category A” countries with Canadian PR cards can visit Guatemala without a visa and stay for 90 days. These countries include the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and most European countries. Make sure your passport is valid for no less than 6 months and have more than 1 blank sheet.
- Honduras
Canadian residents can travel to Honduras without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Jamaica
Canadian residents who can present a Canadian Permanent Resident Card and a passport of origin (with 6 months of validity) can stay in Jamaica for 180 days without visas. Make sure to prove you have enough funds to support your trip.
- Mexico
All foreign visitors with a valid permanent resident card from Canada, despite their nationalities, do not require a Mexican visa for no more than a 180-day stay for the purpose of tour, transit, business, technical activities, or study. They have to present a valid passport or travel document (no minimum period of validity required), a completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) provided by the airline, and a statement of their trip.
- Nicaragua
Citizens of the U.K., U.S., Scandinavia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and the European Union, with Canadian PR cards, can obtain a tourist card, rather than a visa, to stay in Nicaragua for 90 days.
- Panama
Canadian permanent residents from visa-waiver countries can enter Panama and stay for 30 days or 180 days depending on their country of origin.
- Qatar
Canadian PRs are exempt from visas to travel to Qatar. The maximum stay is 30 days. Please make sure you have a passport valid for at least 3 months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
- Saint Maarten
If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Saint Maarten without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.
- South Korea
Canadian PR cardholders are allowed to visit South Korea without a visa and stay for 30 days in transit. Please note that not all nationals are eligible for the visa-free policy.
- Taiwan
Canadian PR cardholders can enter Taiwan with online registration and without a visa and stay for 30 days. Please note that this visa waiver rule applies to limited nationalities, such as the EU, the United States, Australia, Japan, China, etc.
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands visa is not a must if you hold resident visas from Canada, and your passport must not expire within 6 months upon arrival. Feel free to stay for 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Travel to USA with a Canadian PR Card?
Canadian permanent residents can travel to the USA with a valid PR card if they also have a nonimmigrant visa, or if they are from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participating country, meet all VWP requirements, and are entering the USA for 90 days or less. Permanent residents are not automatically eligible to enter the USA without a visa under the VWP – only Canadian citizens can benefit from the VWP without a visa.
Can Canadian Permanent Resident Work in USA?
Canadian citizen or PR holders who want to work in USA must have a job offer from USA employer. The type of work authorization depends on your education, employment situation and type of work you will be doing in the USA.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Canada PR Card?
It typically takes around 6 months to get a Permanent Resident card after landing in Canada as a new PR. This includes the time for biometrics appointment and processing. You must be in Canada when applying for the permanent resident card. Express and priority services are available for faster processing.
Can I Move to Canada without Job?
Yes, it is possible to immigrate to Canada without having arranged employment first. Many economic immigrant programs like Express Entry do not require a job offer to qualify and get PR status. However, having a job offer adds more points to your immigration eligibility score. Once in Canada, you can then search for employment even if you did not have a job when immigrating.
Can I Visit Europe with Canadian PR Card?
Yes, you can travel Europe visa free as permanent resident card holder. It allows you to stay for up to 90 days for tourism, business or short term study. However, from 2025, Canadian passport or PR holders will need a valid ETIAS visa to travel Schengen Area.
Summary
After reading this passage, you must have been clear about the benefits of Canadian permanent residents. If you are traveling outside Canada, it is requested to hold a PR card or permanent resident travel document when returning the country. In terms of the question – which countries can Canadian permanent resident travel without visa, there are 23 countries and regions on the list, covering Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. The visa-free duration of stay ranges from 30 days to 180 days. We believe that the list will keep updating. Most countries require you to hold a passport and a PR card for entry. Make sure your travel document has at least 3 or 6 months of validity depending on your destination countries.
Erin Lo