Permanent Residence Pathway for People Formerly in State Care
The Permanent Residence Pathway for People Formerly in State Care is a pathway to permanent residence created under a temporary public policy for certain foreign nationals who came to Canada before age 19 and were placed under the legal responsibility of a provincial or territorial child and family services provider. The program is currently open until January 21, 2027. Eligible applicants must meet specific residence and state-care requirements and provide evidence showing both their time in care and their continuous residence in Canada. Qualifying family members in Canada may also be included in the application. Applications are submitted on paper to IRCC, and no permanent residence application fee is charged under this public policy.
What Is the Permanent Residence Pathway for People Formerly in State Care?
The Permanent Residence Pathway for Foreign Nationals Who Were in State Care is a temporary public policy for certain people who came to Canada before age 19 and were placed under the legal responsibility of a provincial or territorial child and family services provider.
For this pathway, “state care” means that the responsible provincial or territorial authority obtained full legal parental responsibility for the child by court order.
The pathway is currently open until January 21, 2027. Eligible applicants may include qualifying family members who are in Canada, and no application fee is charged for permanent residence under this public policy.
A separate temporary resident permit measure is also available for certain eligible people formerly in state care who need temporary status in Canada.
Who Can Apply for Permanent Residence?
To qualify under this pathway, the principal applicant must:
- have come to Canada before age 19;
- be physically present in Canada when applying;
- have continuously lived in Canada for at least 3 years before applying;
- if currently over age 19, have continuously lived in Canada since turning 19;
- have been under the legal responsibility of a provincial or territorial child and family services provider for at least 1 year in total;
- have a valid passport, travel document, identity document or other document accepted under the applicable IRCC rules
- be physically present in Canada when permanent residence is granted.
- not be inadmissible to Canada, except for certain grounds specifically exempted under this public policy;
- not be a person referred to in section F of Article 1 of the Refugee Convention;
The public policy also provides specific exceptions to some grounds of inadmissibility, but not all grounds are exempt.
Family Members
Eligible family members who are residing in Canada may be included in the permanent residence application for concurrent processing. For this pathway, family members generally include the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and dependent children of dependent children.
Family members living outside Canada cannot be included for concurrent processing under this public policy. However, the applicant must still declare all family members, whether they are in Canada or abroad, for admissibility examination.
Applicants Planning to Live in Quebec
If the applicant intends to live in Quebec, IRCC refers the application to Quebec’s immigration ministry. A Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is required before permanent residence can be granted.
How to Prove State Care and Residence in Canada
The applicant must provide evidence showing at least 1 cumulative year under the legal responsibility of a qualifying child and family services provider.
Evidence may include:
- court documents;
- records from a child services institution; or
- a confirmation letter from the relevant provincial or territorial child and family services authority.
A confirmation letter should identify the provincial or territorial authority responsible for child and family services, the applicant’s name and date of birth, the period during which the applicant was under the legal responsibility of the child and family services provider, and the name and signature of the authorized representative issuing the letter.
Proof of Residence in Canada
The applicant must also prove at least 3 years of continuous residence in Canada before applying.
Supporting evidence may include:
- leases or rental agreements;
- letters from landlords or property owners confirming residence and dates; and
- utility bills.
Documents that are not in English or French must be submitted with an English or French translation and any certification or translator affidavit required under IRCC’s translation rules.
How to Apply for Permanent Residence
Applications under this pathway must currently be submitted on paper and mailed to IRCC. The completed application package should include the required forms, supporting documents and the Document Checklist (IMM 0203).
There is no IRCC application fee for permanent residence under this public policy, although third-party costs may still apply for items such as medical examinations and police certificates.
After IRCC Receives the Application
IRCC checks whether the application is complete and whether the applicant meets the public policy requirements. An acknowledgement of receipt is issued once processing begins.
IRCC may then request:
- additional documents;
- an immigration medical examination;
- criminal and security checks; and
- biometrics, where required.
If the application receives approval in principle and a removal order exists, the removal order is stayed while IRCC makes the final decision.
The complete application must be submitted no later than January 21, 2027.
