What is the Difference Between PR Visa and Work Permit?

Many of us are in doubt about the difference between PR Visa and Work Permit. We ponder over which is the best visa to apply for popular countries like Canada, Australia, USA and many such questions.

Are you thinking of shifting abroad? Are you still in doubt about choosing the type of visa to settle on one of the favoured nations such as Canada, Australia and others?

Permanent Residency (PR) visa and Work Permit are the popular methods to apply for moving into another nation. Let’s try and find out some differences between PR and Work Permit by comparing these two options.

Permanent Residency (PR) Visa

Permanent Residency or PR is the residential status of a person in a country where they are not a citizen of the land. However, a PR visa gives them the right to stay and work there as a permanent member of that country.

Work Permit (WP)

If you are thinking of working in a foreign country like Canada, you need to get a work permit from the designated officials of that country. Work Permit allows an applicant to take a job abroad.

Difference Between Permanent Residency (PR) Visa and Work Permit

Moving abroad is a core step towards making your future secure and well-turned. However, while opting, you need to take selective decisions to get the right kind of visa.

Well, if you are shifting for a short-run, a Work Visa is considered to be a cheaper and safer option whereas a Permanent Residency visa is more feasible than Work Permit in the long run.

Duration

You can stay in the PR visa from the span of 1 year to a maximum of 5 years which can be later converted into citizenship.

Whereas in Work Permit, the duration of stay depends on the employer. However, staying longer can increase the chances of getting citizenship.

Relocation with Family

Permanent Residency (PR) Visa allows the visa holders to relocate in the country with their family.

On the other hand, it entirely depends on the employer whether they allow the family of the Work Permit holder to stay in the country.

Change of Employer

PR Visa holders have the right to change their job anytime without getting the consent of the employer or other people.

Whereas a Work Permit holder needs to get a sponsorship letter from their new employer if they are switching their employer.

Family Benefits in Case of Work Permit Employees in Canada

Most of the countries provide family benefits like free health and education on the PR Visa. 

In Work Visa, the benefits provided to the immigrants or employees are decided by the employer only.

Right to Shift  from Permanent Visa to Work Permit category or Vice-Versa

Most of the PR Visa gives freedom to the immigrants to settle into other parts of the nation.

On the other hand, a Work Permit is an employer sponsor visa wherein you can’t move and stay in different places of the country until or unless your employer allows you to do so.

The Rule for Spouse and Common-Law Partner

In countries like Canada, as a PR Visa holder, your spouse can legally live and work without getting any permit or authorization.

As a WP (Work Permit) holder, you need to obtain an open Work permit for your spouse and a study permit for dependent children.

Example Categories of Work Permit and Permanent Visa

Some of the standards under the PR category are-

• Canada Federal Skilled Worker Visa
• Australian Skilled Independent Visa
• Denmark Green Card Visa

Similarly, visas under WP (Work Permit) categories are-

• L1 and H1B Visa for the US
• E-Pass for Singapore

As explained above, the differences between Permanent Resident (PR) Visa and Work Permit (WP) suggest that both the visas have different roles as per the requirements of the candidate. 

However, you must consider the positive as well as negative aspects of the visas before choosing the right option to settle abroad. 

Initially, identify your need and purpose of moving foreign nation. Once your significance of shifting is determined, you can easily choose a visa that suits your demand the best.

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Shobha Vats

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