The term “Landed immigrant” is an old classification term used to describe a person who has been admitted to Canada as a non-citizen permanent resident. Today, the Canadian government refers to “landed immigrants” as “permanent residents”. Indeed these two terms are interchangeable.

To become a permanent resident (or landed immigrant) from outside Canada, a foreign national must first submit an immigration application and be approved by Citizenship & Immigration Canada. Once approved, one has to legally enter Canada, or land, at a designated port-of-entry. This process of landing is why they referred to is a “landed immigrant status”.

To become a permanent resident from within Canada, one must be legally admitted to Canada on a temporary basis (for example; study permit, visitor visa, work permit). Once in Canada, the foreign national must qualify to apply for immigration through one of the available immigration programs. If granted permanent residency while living in Canada as a temporary resident, the applicant must still officially “land” and achieve the landed immigrant status.