Permanent Residency
There are three main options
1. Express Entry
To learn how to immigrate through Express Entry, read here.
(does not apply to Quebec)
2. Family Sponsorship
To learn how to sponsor your spouse, partner, or child, read here.
To learn how to sponsor your parents and grandparents, read here.
To find out how to sponsor someone if you live in Quebec, read here.
3. Provincial Nominations Program
To learn how to immigrate as a Provincial Nominee, read here.
To learn about the Quebec Experience Program, read here.
There are also specialized categories
Caregivers
See here
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (permanent fall 2024)
See here
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (coming fall 2024)
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (launching fall 2024)
Atlantic Immigration Program
See here
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
See here
Start-up Visa Program
See here
Self-employed Person: Extremely limited professions. You need to be prepared to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in Canada; or have significant (world-renowned) experience in cultural activities or athletics and intend and be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada; or have experience in farm management and intend and be able to buy and manage a farm in Canada.
See here
Also watch for:
TR to PR. See here
Municipal Nominee Program. See here
Consult IRCC’s “Immigrate to Canada” list here.
More About Express Entry
Express Entry is an electronic/online program that manages the processing of applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class
Useful Links:
NOC: National Occupations Classification
Comprehensive Ranking System Tool
Summary of Maximum Number of Points Per Factor
Rounds of Invitations
Very Important: What is a valid job offer under Express Entry?
Getting Ready to Apply under Express Entry
Taxes
If already working in Canada, pay your taxes. Being able to provide your Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency will be useful. See here
Language Test
Agencies approved by IRCC: see here
Educational Credential Assessment
IRCC-approved service providers: see here
Medicals
IRCC panel physicians: see here
Police Checks
See here
Bridging Open Work Permits for Permanent Residency Applicants
Check eligibility: here
SIN: did you know you need to contact Service Canada if you get a new work permit or become a PR?
Once IRCC authorizes you to continue working in Canada, you must apply to Service Canada with your new immigration document to update the expiry date on your SIN record. The expiry date on both your SIN record and your immigration document must match.
If you receive a new SIN, contact all your banks, creditors, pension providers and employers so that they may update your files.
Read more here.
This guide is by no means exhaustive. There may be other fits for you. Please consult IRCC’s website.
Please note IRCC rules and regulations can be updated at any time. Be sure to clear your cookies and cache to get the most up-to-date documents and checklists as you complete your application. Note too that programs can be added and changed on IRCC’s website faster than we can update here–IRCC is your main source.
This guide cannot be relied upon from a legal perspective. I/CAN provides information— not advice. This information is gleaned from IRCC’s website. Before proceeding, verify all information with IRCC or an immigration lawyer or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.