I copied some information below from the CIC website... but they offer a lot more information & detail on the website...
I'm not sure how long you have to be a resident of Canada prior to becoming a PR but it appears to be at least 1 year or more. It does say on the website that you must be a PR for at least 2 years before applying for citizen ship. I second adventuregurl in the recommendation of contacting a immigration lawyer to gather more detailed information.
Best of luck
Immigrating to Canada
Immigrating to Canada
EFFECTIVE December 23, 2010: If you are submitting a language test with your application, the results are now valid for 2 years from the time you took the test, instead of 1 year. This change applies to Federal skilled worker, Canadian Experience Class and Business Class Immigrants (investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people).
Immigrating to Canada permanently is an exciting opportunity. However, there are several things you should consider before you apply to be a permanent resident.
If you want to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply. You will need to decide which immigration program will work best for you and your family.
Notice: Don’t be a victim of fraud — Find out more.
Find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category:
Skilled workers and professionals
For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec)
Quebec-selected skilled workers
For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec
Canadian Experience Class
For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada
Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people
For people who want to start a business in Canada
Provincial nominees
One of Canada’s provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there
Sponsoring your family
How to sponsor a family member to join you here if you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen
Live in Canada
About Being a Permanent Resident of Canada
A permanent resident is someone who has acquired permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not yet a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents have rights and privileges in Canada even though they remain citizens of their home country. In order to maintain permanent resident status, they must fulfill specified residency obligations.
A person in Canada temporarily, such as an international student or a temporary foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
Refugees who are resettled from overseas arrive in Canada as permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. However, people who make refugee claims in Canada (either at a port of entry or a CIC office) are not permanent residents. In order to become one, these people must receive a positive decision on their refugee claim from the Immigration and Refugee Board. Then, they must apply for and be granted permanent resident status.
Learn about
:
What permanent residents can do
What permanent residents cannot do
Keeping your permanent resident status
Losing your permanent resident status
The Permanent Resident Card
What permanent residents can do
As a permanent resident, you and your dependants have the right:
To receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage.
To live, work or study anywhere in Canada.
To apply for Canadian citizenship.
To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
You must pay taxes, and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
What permanent residents cannot do
As a permanent resident, you and your dependants cannot:
Vote or run for political office.
Hold certain jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement.
Remain in Canada if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and have been told to leave the country.
Keeping your permanent
About Being a Permanent Resident of Canada
A permanent resident is someone who has acquired permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not yet a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents have rights and privileges in Canada even though they remain citizens of their home country. In order to maintain permanent resident status, they must fulfill specified residency obligations.
A person in Canada temporarily, such as an international student or a temporary foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
Refugees who are resettled from overseas arrive in Canada as permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. However, people who make refugee claims in Canada (either at a port of entry or a CIC office) are not permanent residents. In order to become one, these people must receive a positive decision on their refugee claim from the Immigration and Refugee Board. Then, they must apply for and be granted permanent resident status.
Learn about
:
What permanent residents can do
What permanent residents cannot do
Keeping your permanent resident status
Losing your permanent resident status
The Permanent Resident Card
Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) - Initial application, replacement or renewal (IMM 5445)
Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) - Initial application, replacement or renewal (IMM 5445)
Print this guide
Table of Contents
Overview
Before you apply
The application process
Step 1: Gather documents
Step 2: Complete the application
Step 3: Pay the fees
Step 4: Mail the application
What happens next?
How to contact CIC
Appendix A – Residency obligation
Appendix B – Photo specifications
The application process
The instructions provided in this guide follow the basic steps you will need to know to complete your application.
Gather documents
Complete the application
Pay the fees
Mail the application
Before you apply
Permanent Resident Card
The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.
A Permanent Resident Card is a document required by permanent residents, including children, who are planning on travelling outside of Canada and then return to Canada by any commercial transporter such as plane, train, boat or bus.
Who may use this application
The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.
This application is for permanent residents within Canada who would like to apply for:
an initial (first) PR Card
a renewal of a PR Card that has or will soon expire or
a replacement of a PR Card that has been lost, stolen or damaged
Important information. Do not apply for a renewal of your current PR card if it is still valid for more than one (1) year, unless it is due to a legal name change. Otherwise, your application will be returned.
Assessing your eligibility
To be eligible for a PR Card, you must:
be a permanent resident of Canada
be physically present in Canada
not be under an effective removal order
not be a Canadian citizen or a registered Indian under the Indian Act and
not be convicted of an offense related to the misuse of a PR card
Becoming a Canadian citizen: Who can apply
To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must meet the requirements in all of the following areas:
Age
Permanent resident status
Time lived in Canada
Language abilities
Criminal history (prohibitions)
Knowledge of Canada
Permanent resident status
To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident status in Canada, and that status must not be in doubt. This means you must not be the subject of an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order (an order from Canadian officials to leave Canada).
Time lived in Canada
To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children under the age of 18 do not need to meet this requirement.
You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period
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Thanks
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