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Canada Immigration: Explore Your PR Visa Options | CanadaVisa

Canada has set a target of welcoming 500,000 new immigrants by 2025.

Canada boasts one of the most accessible and vibrant immigration systems globally, offering a wealth of opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds. With more than 100 distinct pathways for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and families, Canada provides numerous avenues for those seeking a new life. This detailed CanadaVisa page is designed to guide you in exploring the best immigration options tailored to your needs.

Overview
Why Does Canada Need Immigrants?
Why Do Canadians Support Immigration?
Skilled Worker Immigration Pathways
Express Entry
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Quebec Immigration
Atlantic Immigration Program
Other Federal Skilled Worker Programs
Business Immigration
Moving to Canada from the U.S.
Family Class Sponsorship
Find the Right Canadian Immigration Program
Helpful Canada Immigration Resources
Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Are you dreaming of immigrating to Canada? You’ve come to the right place! CanadaVisa is here to help you navigate the process and turn your aspirations into reality.

People choose to make Canada their new home for various reasons—whether it’s for the chance to receive a world-class education, enjoy the security of free universal healthcare, or experience the high quality of life Canada is known for. Whatever the reason, Canada has something to offer everyone.

With over 100 different immigration pathways available, every individual’s journey to Canadian immigration will be unique.

For skilled professionals and workers, there are several ways to secure a permanent resident visa. One of the most popular routes is through Express Entry, Canada’s leading system for skilled economic immigrants. To qualify under Express Entry, meeting the criteria of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is your best bet. Another major pathway is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where nearly every province and territory selects immigrants based on their local job market needs. Quebec also offers distinct immigration options, including the Quebec Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Class.

If you’re looking to move to Canada as a business immigrant, there are several options available, such as the Federal Self-Employed Program, the Start-up Visa, and entrepreneur programs offered through the PNP and Quebec.

Canada also provides family class sponsorship programs, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their loved ones for immigration.

LGBTQ2 individuals and couples enjoy the same immigration rights and opportunities as everyone else in Canada, making it an inclusive and welcoming destination for all.

Why Does Canada Need Immigrants?

Canada welcomes immigrants through three primary categories: the economic class, family class, and refugee and humanitarian class.

The economic class is focused on attracting skilled workers to sustain Canada’s high standard of living. With an aging population and low birth rate, Canada relies heavily on skilled immigrants to strengthen its labor force and drive economic growth. These skilled workers bring valuable assets such as strong language abilities, work experience, and education, along with a determination to succeed. Their contributions are essential to maintaining Canada’s economy and supporting key services like education and universal healthcare.

Family sponsorship forms the second largest immigration category. Canada believes that strong families are the foundation of a healthy society and economy, which is why it prioritizes reuniting Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their loved ones. By welcoming close family members, Canada ensures that families receive the emotional and social support they need to thrive within the country.

The third major category is for refugees and humanitarian purposes. As a global leader and one of the world’s most prosperous nations, Canada recognizes its moral responsibility to offer protection to individuals fleeing persecution and hardship. Canada’s long-standing tradition of humanitarian leadership dates back to the post-World War II era. In recognition of its commitment, Canada was awarded the prestigious Nansen Medal by the United Nations in 1986—the only country to have received this honor for its efforts in aiding refugees.

Why Do Canadians Support Immigration?

One of the most remarkable aspects of Canada is its consistently high levels of public support for immigration, among the strongest globally. Since the early 1990s, this support has grown steadily, with nearly 80% of Canadians today believing that immigration benefits the economy. This widespread approval enables the Canadian government to set ambitious targets, including the arrival of 500,000 new immigrants annually.

Several key factors contribute to Canada’s strong public support for immigration:

Historical Roots: Canada’s identity is deeply tied to immigration. British and French settlers joined the Indigenous peoples in shaping the nation, and since Confederation in 1867, millions of immigrants from around the world have been welcomed. With the exception of Indigenous peoples, all Canadians are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants. As noted at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, “A Canadian is an immigrant with seniority.”

Geographical Advantage: Canada’s location allows it to exercise significant control over its borders. Surrounded by vast oceans and sharing a land border only with the U.S., Canada can carefully screen entrants to ensure they align with national policy goals.

Robust Policy: Canada invests heavily in supporting newcomers, dedicating billions annually to settlement services such as job training. Additional investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure ensure high living standards for both immigrants and native Canadians.

Political Dynamics: Immigration plays a crucial role in Canada’s largest cities and provinces, where immigrants form a significant portion of the population. As a result, politicians must gain the support of immigrant communities to succeed in democratic elections.

Skilled Worker Immigration Pathways

Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan sets a goal to welcome over 400,000 immigrants annually, with around 60% arriving as skilled workers. The primary pathways for skilled workers to immigrate include the Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Quebec’s skilled worker programs, and several other targeted federal programs.

Skilled Workers Can Move to Canada with Their Families

Skilled workers can bring their close family members with them when they immigrate to Canada. These family members also receive permanent resident status. Close family members include:

Spouse or common-law partner
Dependent children
Dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner
Dependent children of dependent children

Dependent children must either be:

Under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship, or
22 or older, relying on financial support from their parents due to a physical or mental condition and unable to support themselves.

Express Entry: Canada’s Primary Skilled Worker Immigration System

Express Entry is the main system Canada uses to manage skilled worker immigration applications for three major economic class programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Eligible candidates submit their profiles to the federal government’s website and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Approximately every two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) selects top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.

IRCC processes most permanent residency applications in six months or less. Through its Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to bring in an average of 110,000 immigrants annually via the Express Entry system.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow provinces and territories to select individuals who wish to settle in a specific region. Through these programs, Canada aims to welcome over 100,000 immigrants annually.

With the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, each province and territory operates its own PNP, setting criteria for selecting eligible candidates. Many PNPs use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, much like Express Entry, where the highest-scoring candidates are invited through regular draws.

You don’t need an Express Entry profile to apply for PNPs. You can apply directly to a PNP stream, known as “base” streams. Alternatively, you can apply to “enhanced” PNP streams that are linked with Express Entry, giving you additional flexibility.

The key advantage of applying to an enhanced stream is that if you’re nominated, you receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This significantly boosts your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency in a future Express Entry draw.

Quebec Immigration

Quebec operates its own independent immigration system, separate from both Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Applicants chosen to immigrate to Quebec receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, known as the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), issued by the province’s Immigration Ministry.

You can apply for a CSQ through various Quebec immigration programs.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is designed for skilled professionals seeking to immigrate to Quebec and gain permanent residency in Canada.

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is popular among international graduates who have completed their post-secondary education in Quebec. It also caters to foreign skilled workers with experience in the province.

Additionally, Quebec offers business immigration programs for entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, and investors looking to establish businesses or gain permanent residency in the province.

Atlantic Immigration Program

Atlantic Canada has its own unique immigration pathway known as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), designed to help employers attract and retain skilled foreign workers. The AIP covers the four provinces of:

New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island

To participate, employers need to identify a qualified candidate and extend a job offer. The good news is that they are not required to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once the candidate accepts the position, the employer connects them with a designated organization that assists in creating a personalized settlement plan. For employers looking to fill positions quickly, the AIP also provides access to temporary work permits, enabling candidates to begin working promptly.

Other Federal Skilled Worker Programs

Canada offers several additional federal programs to help specific immigration candidates gain permanent residency. These programs include:

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
Home Child Care Provider Pilot
Home Support Worker Pilot

The RNIP allows smaller and remote communities across Canada to recruit and retain foreign workers, with participating communities leading efforts to match newcomers with local job opportunities.

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot offers a pathway to permanent residency for eligible temporary foreign workers in the agriculture and agri-food sector. To qualify, candidates must have at least 12 months of work experience, a high school diploma, and meet minimum language requirements.

The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots provide foreign caregivers, such as childcare providers and home support workers, a route to permanent residency. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience to be eligible.

Business Immigration

Entrepreneurs and business professionals have several pathways that can expedite their immigration to Canada.

For instance, you can explore options like the **Federal Start-Up Visa Program** or the **Federal Self-Employed Persons Program** to achieve permanent residency.

If Quebec is your destination, the province offers its own business immigration programs tailored for entrepreneurs. Additionally, many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) feature specialized streams for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to establish or invest in ventures within the provinces.

Moving to Canada from the U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident looking to live in Canada, you have numerous options at your disposal. Each year, many individuals make the journey north to Canada for work, study, or immigration. To find out how you can join them, visit our dedicated page for U.S. residents.

Those seeking employment in Canada have various avenues to explore, depending on their circumstances. For instance, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), formerly known as NAFTA, offers a streamlined process for U.S. citizens to work temporarily in Canada. This agreement also facilitates intra-company transfers and supports CUSMA traders and investors.

Furthermore, U.S. citizens with a spouse or common-law partner in the U.S. can sponsor them for immigration to Canada. Additionally, there are multiple pathways for U.S. residents interested in starting a new business or acquiring an existing one in Canada.

Family Class Sponsorship

The Canadian government prioritizes family unity, aiming to welcome over 100,000 new immigrants annually to join their loved ones.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the ability to sponsor various family members, including their spouses or common-law partners, parents and grandparents, as well as dependent children.

As a sponsor, you will be required to sign an ‘undertaking,’ which means you take on the financial responsibility for the individual you are sponsoring. For instance, if the sponsored person needs social assistance, you may be obligated to reimburse the government.

Additionally, for parents and grandparents, there is an option to apply for the Super Visa program.

Find the Right Canadian Immigration Program

Here are some of your top options for immigrating to Canada:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through Express Entry
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (if you plan to live in Quebec)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry (for those with trade expertise)
Atlantic Immigration Program
Other federal programs

Canada highly values education and work experience, which are important factors in many immigration pathways. Numerous programs award points based on your educational qualifications, with advanced degrees like a Master’s or PhD earning you extra points.

Candidates with a minimum of one year of skilled work experience are considered more likely to adapt successfully to the Canadian labor market. Many immigration programs also assign points for work experience, providing additional points for those with more extensive experience, depending on the specific program.