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Immigration has a long history in Canada. Indigenous peoples of Canada worked alongside European settlers to create the nation. Canada has welcomed millions of immigrants from all around the world ever since the Federation in 1867. “A Canadian is an immigrant with seniority.”All Canadians, except the country’s Indigenous population, are either immigrant themselves or their relatives.
The amount of people working (sometimes referred to as the labour force) and paying taxes to support our public services, such as health care, is one indicator of how strong the Canadian economy is.
The labour force in Canada is still expanding each year. Without immigrants, Canadian employers would struggle to fill open positions with suitable candidates. This is a result of Canadians living longer lives and having fewer kids. This is why Canada will always support immigrants now and in the future.
Start your immigration assessment to identify which Canadian immigration program suits you the best.
Canada’s immigration system is entering a period of stabilization. As outlined in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will welcome approximately 380,000 new permanent residents each year for the next three years to support sustainable growth. This reflects a shift from previous higher admission targets and emphasizes a balanced approach to managing both permanent and temporary immigration, in response to labour needs and public policy considerations.
In addition to permanent resident targets, Canada is now sharply reducing the intake of temporary residents:
These changes are designed to ensure the success of new immigrants and support Canadian communities.
Many foreign skilled workers are moving to Canada worldwide for better employment opportunities and quality of life. These individuals help flourish the Canadian economy. Thus Canada welcomes thousands of skilled immigrants each year. Most of these immigrants immigrate to Canada through one of the following Canadian Skilled Immigration pathways.
IRCC’s Express Entry System is one of the most popular options for immigrating to Canada. It consists of the following three programs:
The Express Entry System is popular because applicants can apply based on their work experience, education, and language skills. You won’t need a job offer to be eligible for these programs if you prove you have enough funds to support yourself.
Check out the Latest Express Entry Draws here
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) does not require applicants to possess a job offer. These programs are specific to each province in Canada, and their requirements tend to vary from province to province. The PNPs for some provinces invite candidates to the Express Entry pool of applicants. Other provinces assess candidates based on the number of points scored under the Expression of Interest (EOI) points system. Each PNP Program has categories targeting foreign skilled workers, international students and business owners.
Check out the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is the name of Atlantic Canada’s immigration programme (AIP). New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador are the four provinces that comprise Canada’s Atlantic Region.
Immigrants who wish to settle in Quebec can choose one of the many Quebec immigration pathways the province offers. The selected applicants under Quebec Immigration programs receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Each of these programs has distinct requirements. Prospective applicants should study each one to ensure they qualify before applying.
Canada also provides a few economic immigration pilot programs targeting specific Canadian regions and in-demand occupations. These programs are operated at the federal level, and applicants can apply for permanent residence upon approval.
Check your points for Canadian Immigration with our FREE CRS Score Calculator.
IRCC also offers Canada Investment Visa and Business Immigration programs for professionals with skills that would benefit the Canadian economy. Most of these business immigration programs allow foreign entrepreneurs and investors to obtain Canada PR by investment. These business immigration options fall under various types of programs, including:
The Canadian government helps family members of permanent residents and citizens to live in Canada permanently. Family Sponsorship Visa programs are available to spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
To sponsor your family, you must sign an “undertaking.” This implies that the person you will sponsor will depend financially on you. For instance, you could have to pay it back if they need social assistance.
The Canadian Super Visa is another option for parents and grandparents of permanent residents and citizens.
Canada provides many immigration options that help US citizens permanently live in Canada. The number of Americans seeking to come to Canada has increased dramatically in the last few years. Applicants who wish to Move to Canada From the U.S. can contact us, and we can help determine the suitable options for your needs.
Bring your loved ones to Canada through Family Visas under Canadian Immigration.
To find a suitable Canadian immigration program, you must go through the following steps:
You can immigrate to Canada and apply for permanent residency as an entrepreneur, international student, temporary foreign worker, or a family member of a permanent Canadian resident or citizen. Determine which immigration category suits your profile best. Start your immigration assessment here.
You can apply for a particular Canadian Immigration program online through the IRCC official portal or start a paper-based application. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to represent your case.
After completing and submitting an application, you must wait for the processing. It can take from 12 to 26 months for an application to process, depending on the Canadian immigration pathway you choose.
Once you get approval, IRCC will send you an ITA inviting you to apply for permanent residency. You must submit your Canada PR application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
You get an email from IRCC mentioning a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (CoPR). This is the final step before you can move to Canada, or if you’re already in Canada, you get the freedom to stay permanently without worrying about your status. It takes about 45 days to process your PR card via mail.
Find answers to the most common questions about immigrating to Canada in 2025-2028
Canada plans to admit approximately 380,000 new permanent residents annually from 2026 to 2028. The focus is on balanced economic immigration growth, with about 240,000 admissions through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs each year.
Yes, Express Entry remains the quickest pathway for skilled workers, with most applications processed within five to six months as of 2025. Processing times may vary depending on application completeness and program category.
The Comprehensive Ranking System scores Express Entry candidates based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors. In 2025, CRS scores remain critical for receiving invitations to apply for permanent residence.
Yes, as of August 21, 2025, Express Entry applicants must complete and submit their immigration medical exam before filing their application to reduce processing delays.
Provincial Nominee Programs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate immigrants based on regional labor market needs. An enhanced PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, greatly increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Yes, starting in 2026, Canada significantly decreased temporary resident admissions to approximately 385,000 annually. This includes a cap of about 155,000 international student permits per year, down about 43% from 2025 levels.
Yes, only approximately 155,000 study permits will be issued annually from 2026 onward as part of Canada’s strategy to stabilize population growth and ease pressure on housing and services.
Yes, you can include your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children in your permanent residence application. They will gain permanent resident status together with you, along with accompanying work and study rights.
Yes, Canadian citizens living abroad can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, provided they demonstrate intent to reside in Canada when their spouse’s permanent residence is approved.
Spouses, dependent children, parents, and grandparents can be sponsored under family reunification programs. Annual quotas are established to ensure sustainable processing and manage application volumes.
Yes, the Super Visa program remains available for parents and grandparents, though it now has stricter quotas, eligibility requirements, and medical insurance requirements.
You must submit official results from recognized tests such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French. Results must meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels specific to your immigration program.
Typically required documents include: identity documents (passport), language test results, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), proof of work experience, proof of funds, police clearance certificates, and medical exam results.
Yes, digital submissions and e-signatures are accepted for many forms and documents. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request original documents later for verification purposes.
You must reside in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) within the five years immediately before applying for citizenship. You must also be a permanent resident for at least two of those years.
Key pathways include Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades), Provincial Nominee Programs, Atlantic Immigration Program, and Quebec-specific immigration programs.
Yes, options include the federal Start-Up Visa program and various provincial entrepreneur streams that focus on business investment, economic impact, and job creation.
Yes, Immigration Canada frequently conducts targeted draws focusing on high-demand sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, and construction to address specific labor market needs.
Yes, you may apply to multiple programs or submit applications to different provinces. However, you can only hold one active permanent residence application at a time.
Express Entry applications typically take about six months. Other immigration streams such as base Provincial Nominee Programs or Quebec programs may take longer, sometimes up to two years depending on the specific stream.
Some applicants may be required to attend virtual or in-person interviews for verification purposes. Not all applications require interviews, and they are typically requested on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, you are permitted to travel during PR processing as long as you maintain valid immigration status and inform IRCC of any changes to your address or contact information.
Yes, international students and temporary workers in Canada often transition to permanent residence pathways. In fact, the government gives priority to those already residing and working in the country.
You can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to maintain legal status in Canada while awaiting your permanent residence decision.
Employer-specific work permits require IRCC approval to change employers. However, open work permits provide more flexibility and allow you to change employers without obtaining prior approval.
Proof of funds requirements have increased for economic immigration applicants. The exact amount varies based on family size. Check the IRCC website for current threshold amounts as they are updated regularly.
Common grounds for PR application refusal include: missing or incomplete documents, misrepresentation of facts, insufficient proof of funds, low language test scores, and failure to meet program eligibility criteria.
Depending on the refusal reason, you may: file an appeal, reapply with improved documentation, or request a judicial review. It’s advisable to understand the specific grounds for refusal before proceeding.
Hiring an immigration lawyer or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is not mandatory. However, legal assistance can be beneficial in complex cases or if you have concerns about inadmissibility or application complications.
Canada has strengthened document verification and application review processes to combat fraud. Immigration authorities conduct thorough checks and use advanced systems to detect fraudulent applications.
Yes, misrepresentation is taken very seriously and can result in bans from entering Canada for up to five years. This applies whether the misrepresentation was intentional or unintentional.
Immigration policies for refugees and humanitarian cases are frequently updated in response to global events and humanitarian needs. Canada has implemented special programs for vulnerable groups including Ukrainians and Palestinians.
Yes, Canada has dedicated immigration programs and pathways providing support and streamlined processing for certain vulnerable populations, including refugees and protected persons.
Yes, IRCC regularly launches new pilot programs and category-based Express Entry draws focusing on in-demand occupations such as healthcare workers, STEM professionals, and tradespeople.
New permanent residents have access to free settlement services including language training (LINC programs), employment counseling, job search assistance, community orientation, and credential recognition support.
Yes, starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers face more detailed entry checks and questioning at Canadian borders. Border officers conduct enhanced screening to ensure compliance with entry requirements.
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