After a foreign national becomes a permanent resident of Canada, they will receive a Permanent Residence Card (PR Card). The Permanent Residence Card (PR Card) is needed to be showed on every re-entry into Canada by commercial transport i.e. plane, train, bus etc. as well as for registering for certain social services, such as health care benefits.

Many foreign nationals mix-up the eligibility of maintaining permanent residence status with the eligibility for obtaining Canadian citizenship. Though quite similar, the eligibilities are quite different. Furthermore, when one applies for Canadian citizenship, they must still make sure that they maintain their permanent residence status during the processing of the Canadian citizenship application.