Larger Text
Smaller TextPermanent Resident and Citizenship Information
Useful Government Links:
Permanent Resident Visa
Full-time McMaster faculty members (tenure/track and professional/teaching track) who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada are expected to apply for and obtain a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) in order to maintain their employment in Canada.
Foreign faculty members apply for permanent residency under the Skilled Worker category. Information on permanent residency and the application process can be found on the following Citizenship & Immigration Canada’s (CIC) web pages:
- Skilled Worker Application process
- Canadian Experience Class
- Application Fees
- Information for Newcomers
- Permanent Resident Card
Ontario Provincial Nominee Program
Individuals holding full-time academic appointments may apply for a permanent resident visa through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). By applying through the PNP permanent residency will normally be obtained in a shorter period of time (typically just over 1 year) than if an individual applies directly to CIC. Immediate family members are also included in the PNP application. In order to apply, a faculty member’s academic unit must nominate their faculty member to their Faculty Dean, who in turn will nominate them for the PNP program–PNP will not accept applications from individuals.
Please note that in addition to CIC’s processing fees, there is a PNP application fee of $1,500 that the individual is responsible for paying.
All nominations are coordinated through the Office of the Provost or the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Resources. For more information on this process please contact Mara Giannotti, Office of the Provost, (giannot@mcmaster.ca), ext 23065 or Rebecca Collier, (rcollie@mcmaster.ca), ext. 22175 or Deborah Miller, (dmiller@mcmaster.ca), ext. 24063 for Faculty of Health Sciences, who will work with the Faculty and Department and the PNP office to coordinate the application process.
Direct Application for Permanent Residency
Individuals holding full-time faculty appointments who opt not to apply via the PNP, or individuals who hold term positions at McMaster, are responsible for applying for permanent residency on their own.
If a faculty member has concerns regarding the permanent resident application process, they may wish to consider retaining an immigration lawyer/consultant. The Office of the Provost or the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Resources Office can provide a referral upon request. Please note that it is the responsibility of the individual for all costs associated with this consultation.
After Permanent Residence Status is Granted
Once permanent resident status has been granted, the faculty member will need to provide a copy of their permanent resident card and new Social Insurance Card (SIN) to the Office of the Provost (Health Sciences Human Resources for Health Sciences faculty). If applicable, copies of the permanent resident card for dependents and/or a spouse should be forwarded to the Office of the Provost and Human Resources Department or Health Sciences Human Resources for Health Sciences faculty to ensure the continuation of medical coverage.
Citizenship
Permanent residents who have lived in Canada for more than three years may apply for citizenship. Information on citizenship can be found on the following Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) web pages:
- Information about how to become a Canadian Citizen
- General Information on Canadian Citizenship
- Information on Dual Citizenship
