Special Permanent-Residence Programs

These are narrow temporary public policies, not general programs. A file sent under the wrong stream, after the deadline or by the wrong delivery method may not be accepted.

1. 01

   Graduate from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada within the 3 years before applying.

2. 02

   Use an eligible credential: a degree; a non-graduate diploma from a program of at least 2 years; or a graduate/post-graduate diploma or certificate from a program of at least 1 year.

3. 03

   Complete at least 50% of the qualifying program in Canada, either in person or online, as the policy permits.

4. 04

   For a graduate or post-graduate diploma/certificate, prove that a post-secondary diploma or degree was a prerequisite and that it was completed no more than 5 years before starting the graduate program.

5. 05

   Provide the credential, final transcripts and—where applicable—proof of the prerequisite admission requirement and earlier credential.

1. 01

   Choose only one stream and confirm that every common and stream-specific requirement is met on the filing date.

2. 02

   Apply from inside Canada through the PR Portal. A paid representative uses the representative portal, but the applicant must personally complete the required declaration and electronic signature.

3. 03

   Complete the digital forms, upload document checklist IMM 0134 and the correct schedule: IMM 0135 for Stream A or IMM 0136 for Stream B.

4. 04

   Upload passports, status records, language results, education or work evidence, proof of intent to live outside Québec where needed, civil-status documents, police certificates and one compliant photo for each applicant.

5. 05

   Pay the required fees, including biometrics where applicable, answer every question and submit a complete application before August 31, 2026.

6. 06

   After filing, complete biometrics, medical and additional-document requests and keep temporary status, contact information and family composition current.

1. 01

   The principal applicant must already have submitted a permanent-residence application under Stream A or B, be in Canada and have held a work or study permit within the 3 years before the PR application.

2. 02

   The open work permit may be valid for up to 3 years and can be requested until May 2029 if temporary status will expire while the PR file is processed.

3. 03

   A person whose temporary status expired less than 90 days earlier may still qualify but must request restoration and pay the restoration fee.

4. 04

   The option is unavailable after the PR application is refused, withdrawn or returned.

5. 05

   A spouse, common-law partner or dependent child over 18 included in the PR application may apply for an open work permit with the principal applicant, subject to the published rules.

For this policy, ordinary foster care, informal care by relatives or contact with a social agency is not automatically enough.

1. 01

   Have come to Canada before turning 19.

2. 02

   Have continuously lived in Canada for at least the 3 years immediately before applying.

3. 03

   If now over 19, have continuously lived in Canada since turning 19.

4. 04

   Have been under the qualifying legal responsibility of a designated provincial or territorial child-protection provider for at least 1 cumulative year.

5. 05

   Be physically present in Canada when the application is submitted and when permanent residence is granted.

6. 06

   Provide a valid passport, travel document, identity document or statutory declaration that meets the policy.

7. 07

   Meet the policy's criminality, security and admissibility framework. Only specified inadmissibility grounds can be overcome under this pathway; war crimes, serious non-political crime and conduct contrary to UN principles remain disqualifying considerations.

1. 01

   Use the current instruction guide and document checklist IMM 0203.

2. 02

   Complete and print IMM 0008, IMM 5669 and IMM 5406 where applicable. In IMM 0008, select Other and then In-Canada — Humanitarian & Compassionate Considerations as instructed by IRCC.

3. 03

   Include the state-care attestation letter, attendance records, identity and residence evidence, family forms, photos and every item required by the checklist.

4. 04

   Sign the forms and mail one complete family package to IRCC — Humanitarian Migration Vancouver, FN/State Care, 300-800 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC V6Z 0B6.

5. 05

   There is no permanent-residence application fee for an eligible applicant under this policy. Use tracked mail or courier and retain proof of delivery.

6. 06

   Respond to any medical, police, identity, admissibility or additional-document request and report material changes while the file is processed.

1. 01

   The principal applicant must meet the age, 3-year residence, post-19 continuous-residence and 1-year state-care tests, be in Canada and have no valid temporary resident status when applying.

2. 02

   TRPs are discretionary and not guaranteed. The officer must find compelling reasons and that the need to remain outweighs risks to Canadian society.

3. 03

   An eligible applicant and eligible dependants pay no fee for this TRP, an accompanying open work permit or a study permit.

4. 04

   A TRP and work/study permit may be mailed together with the required form and a written statement explaining how state care affected the applicant's present lack of status.

5. 05

   A state-care TRP is usually valid for at least 1 year, may be cancelled, and generally stops being valid on departure unless re-entry was specifically authorized.

6. 06

   Receiving a TRP does not replace the separate permanent-residence application. A TRP already issued remains valid until its expiry or PR approval, subject to its conditions.

Eligibility turns on mandatory definitions, dates, status, documentary history and admissibility. A score cannot compensate for a missing passport category, deadline, residence period, qualifying credential, work hours or court-ordered state-care history.

1. 01

   Create a date-by-date chronology before choosing a stream.

2. 02

   Match every period of study, work, status, residence or care to independent documents.

3. 03

   Check the current IRCC page and forms again on the day of filing.

4. 04

   Do not use the Hong Kong portal process for state-care PR or mail a Hong Kong application to the state-care office.