Immigration 

Easiest Ways to Immigrate to Canada 

The easiest way to immigrate to Canada will depend on your own unique profile or connections to the country. It should be noted that there is no one simple way to immigrate to Canada. While some programs may be easier for you to apply to, the process is long and involves many steps.

Immigrate through Express Entry

The application process for skilled immigrants who want to settle in Canada permanently and take part in Canadian economy.

Express Entry is Canada’s fastest and most popular immigration program. Candidates that apply through the Express Entry system can receive permanent residence status as soon as six months.

ver the next three years, Canada plans to invite over 240,000 newcomers through three streams of Express Entry:

- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW);

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing immigration applications. The FSW program allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency.

- Canadian Experience Class (CEC); 

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is ideal for candidates who have recent Canadian work experience and are seeking permanent immigration to Canada. CEC is also one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residence, taking as little as three to four months to process! 

- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of the three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system. As with all Express Entry programs, FST uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates against one another, only inviting the most competitive candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The Express Entry system involves submitting an online profile that is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To submit an Express Entry profile, you must first be eligible under one of Canada’s above three federal streams. The Canadian government then issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.

The Express Entry process may be the easiest way to come to Canada for certain candidates eligible to submit a profile. It can be difficult to meet the CRS cut-off in the federal draw. However, just by being in the pool of candidates, you could be nominated for permanent residence by a province.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is typically about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This does not include the settlement funds that must also be shown as part of the eligibility requirement, which will vary by family size.

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You need certain documents at different stages of the Express Entry application process.

Documents for your profile

You don’t need to upload documents to submit a profile, but you may need information from some or all of these documents:

1) a passport or travel document

a) Venezuelan passport holders: You may need to complete extra steps when you create a profile or fill out your application.

2) language test results

3) proof of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes if

a) you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program, or

b) you want to get points for the education you got outside Canada

4) provincial nomination (if you have one)

5) written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one), proof of work experience, certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if you have one)

6) proof of funds

Documents for your application for permanent residence

If we invite you to apply, you’ll need to upload copies of the documents you used for your profile (see list above).

Most applicants will also need to upload the following:

- police certificates

- medical exams

- proof of funds

- birth certificate

required if you’re declaring dependent children

- use of a representative form 

required if you’ve hired a representative

- common-law union form 

required if you’ve declared your marital status as “common-law”

- marriage certificate

required if you’ve declared your marital status as “married”

- divorce certificate and legal separation agreement

required if you’ve declared your marital status as “divorced”

- death certificate

required if you’ve declared your marital status as “widowed”

- adoption certificate

required when a dependent child is listed as “adopted”

Other documents

You only need to submit these if we included them in your personalized document checklist. Your application may not be refused or rejected if you don’t submit these documents.

They’re only used to check if you meet the requirements of the program you’re applying for.

1) proof of relationship to a relative in Canada

2) digital photos to confirm your identity

3) other name to confirm aliases

4) authority to release personal information to a designated individual form 

5) any other documents that you feel are relevant to your application

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Fill out the online form

If you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant, your first step is to submit your profile to the Express Entry pool.

If you’re eligible, we will:

- place you in a pool with others who are also eligible

- give you a score and rank you using several factors

- invite you to apply to be a permanent resident of Canada (if you’re one of the top candidates)

You can only apply online if we send you an invitation to apply.

Completing an online Express Entry profile or entering the pool doesn’t guarantee that we’ll invite you to apply for permanent residence.

Eligibility questions

Answer a few questions to see if you're eligible for Express Entry. It'll take you about 15 minutes.

If you’re married or have a common-law partner, one of you must be the main or principal applicant. This person will submit a profile and list the spouse or partner in it.

Your principal applicant should be the one of you most likely to:

- meet the eligibility requirements

- earn the most points in the selection factors (if applying under the Federal Skilled Workers Program)

- earn the most points in Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System

This tool gives you a number at the end (a personal reference code). The code looks like: JM1234567890. Use this number to move your information from the tool to your Express Entry profile.

Create your Express Entry profile

If you’re eligible, the tool will send you to your online account to fill out an Express Entry profile.

1) Follow the instructions to create an account (if you don’t already have one).

2) Enter your personal reference code when it prompts you to (only if you have one).

3) Enter your personal details.

4) Create or sign in to your account

To complete your profile, you’ll need:

- information from certain documents (for example, language test results)

- your National Occupational Classification (NOC) job title and code

You may exit the profile at any time. Your information will be saved in your account. You have 60 days to complete and submit your Express Entry profile. Otherwise, you’ll have to start again. Once you’ve filled out your profile, you can submit it online. We’ll figure out which immigration program you’re eligible for under

Express Entry.

Respond to your invitation to apply

If we invite you to apply for permanent residence, you'll get a message in your account telling you:

- which program you've been invited to apply for

what to do next

You'll need to show proof of the information you gave us in your Express Entry profile. We’ll assess whether the information you submit in your application is different from what was in your profile.

If we find that you gave us false information or left out important details, we could:

- refuse your application

- find you inadmissible

- bar you for 5 years from applying to come to Canada for any reason

Apply for permanent residence.

Program requirements

You can check the criteria for the program you've been invited to apply under to make sure you're still eligible.

By understanding your program requirements, you'll be more prepared to apply. It could also help you decide whether to accept an invitation to apply.

Declining an invitation to apply

If you decline an invitation, you'll be put back into the Express Entry pool of candidates. You'll be considered in future rounds of invitations, if you’re still eligible.

The cut-off score varies from round to round. If your score isn’t high enough, you might not be invited to apply again. In some cases, you may have to take steps to be invited to apply again.

For example, you may need to:

- improve your score

- update your Express Entry profile

There is no guarantee that you'll be invited to apply again. However, if you choose to re-enter the pool, declining an invitation won't affect whether or not you’re invited to apply later.

If you don't decline an invitation and you don't apply within 60 days, the invitation will expire and your profile will be removed from the pool.

To be considered in future rounds of invitations you'll have to:

- fill out and submit a new Express Entry profile

- meet the eligibility

- be accepted into the pool again

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who are interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian province or territory. 

Each Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP designed to meet its specific economic and demographic needs.

Read on to find out how you can immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee, and the latest Canadian PNP updates.

This program is for workers who:

- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory

- want to live in that province, and

- want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements.

For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

- students

- business people

- skilled workers

- semi-skilled workers

Before you apply for permanent residence

You can only apply for permanent residence through Express Entry if you’ve received an invitation to apply.

Once you have your invitation to apply

Your Express Entry invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only. You should start filling out the online form right away so that you can get all the information and documents you need before your invitation expires.

Follow these steps to fill out the online form:

- Sign in to your account.

- Click the link to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.

When filling out the form:

- Make sure you submit all of the required documents.

- All of your answers must be complete and true.

- Make sure all the mandatory fields are completed, or you won’t be able to submit your application.

- You can save your information on the form and go back as often as you need to.

Understand the application options

How you will apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you’re applying to. You might need to apply using the paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry.

As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.

Paper-based process

In the paper-based process:

- You apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.

- You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.

- Once you have been nominated, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

- You have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada.

- Application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.

How to apply through the paper-based process

Express Entry process

In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:

- You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.

If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.

OR

- You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.

If a province or territory sends you a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.

You apply to their Express Entry stream:

If you’re nominated, the province will offer it to you through your account, and you accept it electronically.

In both cases:

- You must meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory. And,

- You must submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for one of the immigration programs it covers.

- If you are invited to apply, you submit an electronic application to IRCC.

How to apply through Express Entry

- Choose a province or territory

- To be nominated by a province or territory,

you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:

1) Alberta

2) British Columbia

3) Manitoba

4) New Brunswick

5) Newfoundland and Labrador

6) Northwest Territories

7) Nova Scotia

8) Ontario

9) Prince Edward Island

10) Saskatchewan

11) Yukon

The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice.

The province of Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. See their immigration website to learn more about their programs.

Immigrate as a provincial nominee through Express Entry

- You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every permanent residence application you submit to us, even if you gave your biometrics in the past, and they’re still valid.

You must pay the biometric fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Pay your biometric fee as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give your biometrics.

You have 30 days from the date on the letter to give your biometrics.

Find out who needs to give biometrics, how to give them, and where to give them.

Translation of documents

If one of your documents is in a language other than English or French, you must also upload

an English or French translation that’s

1) stamped by a certified translator

2) The translator should photocopy your original document and stamp it if that’s what they based the translation on.

3) All stamps and seals that aren’t in English or French must also be translated. You can include a scanned copy of a letter explaining that you don’t need an affidavit because you used a certified translator.

or

4) accompanied by an affidavit from the person who completed the translation

Use this option only if a translation cannot be completed by a certified translator.

5) Both the translated document and the original document the translator worked from must be referred to in the affidavit.

6) a scan of the original document, or a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document that the translator worked from

7) You only need to provide a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document if the translation was based on the certified photocopy.

Find out if your translator is certified

A certified translator is a member in good standing of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad. Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number.

Fees for Express Entry

Once you fill out all sections of the online form and upload your documents, the system will show you a list of fees you need to pay.

This list includes the following:

- processing fee for you and your family members

- right of permanent residence fee

- biometrics fee

Pay your fees through your online account. You’ll need a debit or credit card to do this.

At a minimum, you must pay your processing fees when you submit your application. Avoid delays by paying all of your fees now (including your right of permanent residence fee).

For details on how much you can expect to pay, check the fees list.

Refunds

If your application isn’t complete, we’ll tell you and refund your:

- processing fee

- right of permanent residence fee (if you’ve paid it)

We won’t refund the processing fee once we start processing your application.

Biometrics fee

In most cases, you must pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.

After you pay the biometrics fee with a complete application, we’ll send you a letter confirming that you need to give your biometrics and where you can go. You must show this letter when you give your biometrics.

You must give your biometrics in person. Make sure to book an appointment if this service is offered. Find a collection point close to you.

Paying fees after you apply

You can only pay through your account when you submit your application. You must pay in a different way if you:

- decide to pay your Right of permanent residence fee after you apply or

- add a spouse or dependent child to your application (marriage or birth of a child)

You have 60 days after you’ve been invited to apply to submit your application for permanent residence.

Once you have submitted your application, you can check its status in your account.

Processing times

We process most Express Entry applications within 6 months or less of getting your complete application.

Quebec immigration programs

Quebec operates a number of different immigration programs enabling eligible candidates to secure Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has granted the province of Quebec significantly more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from other provinces’.

Quebec is the only province in Canada whose only official language is French. For this reason, some of Quebec’s immigration programs require proficiency or offer preference to individuals proficient in French. However, there are also pathways available for non-French speakers who wish to immigrate to the province.

- Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)

Quebec immigration applications are approved through two separate processes: selection and admission. Selection occurs at the provincial level, while admission occurs at the federal level. To immigrate to Quebec, an applicant must meet the requirements for both selection and admission. In the selection step of the process, a foreign national must obtain approval from the province of Quebec itself.

Selection is demonstrated through a certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Selection Certificate – CSQ), which is a document issued by the provincial immigration authorities following a successful application through one of Quebec’s immigration programs.

- Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)

The Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. As a skilled worker program, all applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum amount of skilled work experience. QSW is a points-based immigration program, meaning applicants must meet a minimum score on a points assessment grid in order to be eligible.

This program does not require that an applicant be proficient in French to apply, but French proficiency may lead to an increased score on the points assessment grid.

Eligible candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the online Arrima portal to be considered for this program.

- Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. The program requires that candidates have experience in the province of Quebec, either as a temporary foreign worker or an international student. PEQ applicants must demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. There are additional eligibility requirements for this program, including that the applicant be legally residing in Quebec at the time the application is submitted and processed.

- Quebec Investor Program

In order to apply to the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have net assets totalling at least $2 million CAD and the ability to invest at least $1.2 million CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary. Applicants who fit these criteria may be eligible to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the Quebec Investor Program.

- Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to manage a business project in Quebec or to acquire a business in Quebec.

- Quebec Self-Employed

The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own job. In order to qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field they plan to practice in Quebec. 

- Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)

A number of Quebec’s temporary resident programs require a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate – CAQ), to authorise temporary stay in Quebec. This includes the majority of study programs for international students. NOTE: A CAQ authorises temporary stay in the Province of Quebec. Not to be confused with a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which authorises permanent stay in the province.

Validated Job Offer

If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign national, they may be eligible to extend the foreign national a job offer which has been officially validated by MIDI. A validated job offer is a strong advantage in the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program as it gives its holder either 8 points (if the job is located in the Montreal region) or 10 points (if the position is located outside the Montreal region).

As well, holders of validated job offers are exempt from the quota requirement for QSW applications, meaning they can apply for a CSQ at any time.

To validate the job offer, the position and the foreign national must meet several requirements:

Job Position Requirements:

- Must be for a permanent, full-time position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, B, or C.

- Must have a positive or neutral impact on the local labour market.

- Must be offered, in writing, by a Quebec employer who has been in operation for a minimum of 12 months.

- Appropriate recruitment efforts must have been made to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position, if applicable (see below)

Foreign National Requirements:

1) Must submit copies of identification documents, educational documents, curriculum vitae (CV), and a written copy of the employment offer.

2) Must have a licence or certificate to practice in the profession if the profession is regulated in Quebec.

If the foreign national is already working for the employer, they must submit a copy of their work permit along with three recent paystubs.

3) If a foreign national is already working for a Quebec employer on a temporary work permit, the employer does not need to show proof that they attempted to recruit a Canadian or permanent resident for the position. 4) In all other cases, the employer must show proof of recruitment efforts. This means that employers must make significant efforts to hire a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering it to a foreign national. If all requirements for the validated job offer are met, the employer may submit an application for validation to MIDI.

For apply.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed to stimulate economic growth in Canada’s Atlantic provinces by attracting skilled workers. The Atlantic provinces include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, applicants must have an official job offer. Usually, in order to obtain a Canadian job offer valid for immigration purposes, the applicant must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is not required for the Atlantic Immigration Program. Instead, the job offer must be from a designated employer.

Atlantic Immigration Program Requirements

The Atlantic Immigration Program facilitates immigration through connecting two parties:

- Foreign nationals interested in becoming residents of Atlantic Canada

- Employers designated by the government to hire foreign nationals

The Atlantic Immigration Program has different requirements for both of these parties.

Foreign National Requirements

Foreign nationals interested in immigrating to either New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island, may do so through the Atlantic Immigration program only if they meet certain requirements. First, the foreign national must have an official job offer from a designated employer.

Please refer to each province’s designated employers in the following tables:

Designated Employers - Newfoundland & Labrador

Designated Employers - Nova Scotia

Designated Employers - Prince Edward Iceland

Designated Employers - New Brunswick

Second, the foreign national must meet the eligibility requirements. These requirements vary depending on whether the candidate has completed qualifying post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada.

Work Experience Requirements

Candidates must have at least one year of paid, full-time work experience in the past five years. You may count hours worked abroad, or inside Canada on valid status. The work experience must be in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, B, or C.

International Graduate Requirements

Candidates that qualify as eligible international graduates do not need to meet the work experience requirements.

In order to meet the requirements of an international graduate, candidates must:

- Hold a minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship certificate; from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the Atlantic provinces;

- Have been a full-time student for the entirety of their studies;

- Have lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last two years before graduating;

- Have held the required study permit, and if required, work permit, during their studies in Canada

Educational Requirements

Educational requirements will vary depending on the occupational skill type of the job offer. Please see the chart below for educational requirements by skill type using following link.

If your education was completed outside of Canada, you must provide an Educational Credential Assessment.

Language Requirements

The minimum required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level also depends on the skill type of the job offer. Please see the chart below for language requirements by skill type using following link.

Proof of Funds

Candidates must also be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their families when settling in Canada.

Designated Employer Requirements

Employers interested in participating in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program must apply to become designated employers. As a designated employer, a business will have the ability to hire foreign nationals without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Designated employers are required to assist employees hired through the pilot with settlement in their province of residence.

Employer Designation

In order to hire foreign nationals through the Atlantic Immigration Program, first an employer must apply to be officially designated. In order to become designated, the employer may apply directly to the province where the business for which they want to hire foreign nationals is located. The employer will have to demonstrate that they are in good standing with any provincial regulatory bodies. They will also have to submit a description of their labour needs, including their reason for hiring international workers.

Finally, designated employers must demonstrate that they can provide settlement support to the workers they hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program. In order to obtain applications to become a designated employer, businesses can consult the immigration webpages of the Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

For apply.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was launched in 2019 as an initiative to stimulate economic growth in those areas by attracting skilled workers. This program includes communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

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Canada is a country well-known for accepting high numbers of immigrants. However, under the current immigration system, the vast majority of new immigrants choose to live in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot seeks to change this by helping smaller communities to attract newcomers and support their settlement. The pilot program accepts applications from rural and northern communities who want to participate. The communities accepted receive support from the Federal Government to help them identify and select new candidates for permanent residency. The newcomers are expected to have a positive impact on economic development.

This program builds on the successes of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program (AIP) which was launched in 2017. AIP is designed to increase immigration to Canada’s Atlantic Region by pairing up potential newcomers with employers from the region.

Communities Selected for the Rural Immigration Pilot

As of June 2019, eleven communities have been selected to participate in the pilot. These communities will get a range of supports and programs in order to test the pilot.

Ontario:

- Thunder Bay

- Sault-Ste-Marie

- Sudbury

- Timmins

- North Bay

Manitoba:

- Gretna-Rhineland-Altona-Plum Coulee

- Brandon

- Saskatchewan

- Moose Jaw

Alberta:

- Claresholm

British Columbia:

- West Kootenay

- Vernon

Program Requirements - Communities

In order to apply, a community must have a population of 50,000 or less and be located at least 75km from the core of a census metropolitan area, or have a population of 200,000 or less and be considered remove from other larger cities.

Communities must be located in one of the following provinces or territories:

- Alberta

- British Columbia

- Manitoba

- Northwest Territories

- Nunavut

- Ontario

- Saskatchewan

- Yukon

Communities must submit an economic development plan supported by a local economic development organization that can manage the pilot. Communities also must demonstrate they have employment opportunities available for newcomers, as well as having the ability to support the settlement of newcomers.

For apply.

Agri-Food Pilot

The Agri-Food pilot offers a pathway to permanent residence for agricultural workers in Canada. In recent years, Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries have struggled to fill labour shortages and workers have had to rely on short-term, seasonal work permits in order to find employment. The pilot aims to attract and retain workers by offering a pathway to permanent residence in Canada, allowing workers and their families to work and live in Canada for as long as they like.

A maximum of 2,750 principal applicants and their families will be accepted per year. This represents a total of 16,500 possible new permanent residents over the 3-year duration of the pilot.

Agricultural employers participating in the pilot will be eligible for a 2-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Agri-Food Pilot Program Requirements

To be eligible to participate in the pilot, candidates must meet the following criteria:

- Work experience: 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in an eligible occupation in processing meat products, raising livestock, or growing mushrooms or greenhouse crops

- Language: A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French

- Education: Canadian equivalency of high-school level or greater

- Job offer: an indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage

For apply. 

Permanent residence for caregivers

Keeping your temporary resident status

You must always have valid temporary resident status while working in Canada. You must apply to:

- extend your work permit before it expires or

- change its conditions before it expires

If you applied for a new work permit before your current permit expired, you can keep working under the same conditions of your original work permit while you wait for a decision. This is called “maintained status” (previously known as implied status). Please see below for further details.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

You may be able to apply for permanent residence through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot if you:

- meet the eligibility requirements, and

- have a job offer to work in one of these occupations

Through these pilots, you’ll get an open work permit to come to Canada and work temporarily. This work permit:

- is occupation-restricted (so you have to work in that specific occupation)

- doesn’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

- lets you get the work experience you need to be eligible for permanent residence

If you recently worked as a home child care provider or support worker, your experience may count towards your eligibility for permanent residence.

Live-in Caregiver Program

The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) is closed to new applicants.

You can only apply for permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) if you have at least 2 years of work experience in the program and:

- you’re already working in Canada with an LCP work permit, or

- you were approved for your first LCP work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada on or before November 30, 2014

If you have work experience in Canada as a caregiver but don’t qualify for either of the options above, you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through a different program.

Temporary work for caregivers

If you don’t meet the requirements for permanent residence as a caregiver, you may be able to work temporarily.

Apply to extend your work permit

If you’re currently working in Canada as a caregiver, you may be eligible to extend your work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Your employer will need to get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) first.

Apply for a new work permit

Eligibility

In most cases, you can apply for a work permit to work in Canada temporarily as a caregiver through the TFWP if one of these applies to you:

1) You’re in Canada and eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada.

2) You’re outside Canada and your employer applied for an LMIA before June 18, 2019.

3) You’ll be working in Quebec.

You can’t apply for a new work permit (that needs an LMIA) in these cases:

1) Your employer applied for an LMIA on or after June 18, 2019, and

a) you’re applying for a work permit from outside Canada through the TFWP and

b) you plan to work in a province or territory other than Quebec

How to apply

Your employer will need to get a positive LMIA first. Once they have a positive LMIA, you can apply for a work permit.

Closed programs

Caring for Children Program

The Caring for Children Program ended on June 18, 2019. If you submitted a complete application before June 18, we’ll continue to process it.

If you’re a caregiver who has been caring for children in Canada, you may be eligible for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot.

Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program

The Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program ended on June 18, 2019. If you submitted a complete application before June 18, we’ll continue to process it.

If you’re a caregiver who has been working in Canada as a home support worker, you may be eligible for the Home Support Worker Pilot.

Interim Pathway for Caregivers

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers ended on October 8, 2019. If you submitted an application before or on October 8, we’ll continue to process it.

If you need to send us your language test results or educational credential assessment, follow the instructions in the guide.

For apply.

Sponsorship

Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?

Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner

You may be eligible to sponsor your spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence, whether they are living in Canada with a valid temporary visa or residing abroad. Applicants who are living in Canada may also qualify for an open work permit, giving couples the chance to relieve some of their financial burdens.

A spousal open work permit gives sponsored individuals the ability to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. Since Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, you may be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship if you and your partner are not married but have been living together for a period of at least one year.

Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship

Canada’s commitment to family reunification extends to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents through the parent and grandparent sponsorship program. In order to sponsor a parent or grandparent, citizens and permanent residents will be required to demonstrate that they can financially support their family by meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit. They must also agree to financially support their sponsored family members if needed. Sponsors who are unable to permanently support their parent or grandparent may be eligible for a Super Visa, a long term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship

If you are immigrating to Canada, you can choose to include your children as accompanying dependents on your application for permanent residence. However, if you choose not to include them, or are otherwise unable to do so, they may still be able to join you in Canada later. Canada’s child sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence, as long as they are unmarried and have no children of their own. A child over the age of 22 may be considered a dependent if they suffer from a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves.

 Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild

In some specific instances, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be eligible to sponsor their orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild to come to Canada. To sponsor your orphaned relative, they must be unmarried, under 18 years old, and related to you by blood or adoption.

Other relatives (under exceptional circumstances as a “Lonely Canadian”)

In some rare circumstances, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be eligible to sponsor one extended relative to come to Canada. To sponsor a relative that falls outside of Canada’s current Family Class definition, sponsors must be considered a “Lonely Canadian”. This means the sponsor has no spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent.

How can I be eligible to sponsor a family member?

To sponsor a family member, you must meet minimum eligibility requirements.

Eligible sponsors must:

- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

- be at least 18 years old

- live in Canada, or plan to return to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada

- be able and willing to provide for the basic financial needs of your family member for three years

Who isn’t eligible to sponsor a relative?

There are some cases in which a permanent resident or citizen is not eligible to sponsor. If one of the below scenarios apply, a sponsor may be ineligible if they:

- are currently in prison

- have not paid alimony or child support payments

- have declared bankruptcy and are not yet released

- received social assistance for reasons other than a disability

- failed to pay back an immigration loan, made late payments or missed payments

- have previously sponsored another relative and failed to meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement

- have been convicted of a violent crime, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence, depending on details of the case

How much does it cost to sponsor a family member in Canada?

If you are sponsoring your spouse and they have dependent children, or if you are sponsoring your adopted child, a $150 payment will be required for each child included in the application. If you are including the spouse or partner of your relative, an additional $1,050 is required.

The government processing fees to sponsor a relative in Canada are listed below.

Sponsorship fee $75

Principal applicant processing fee $475

Right of permanent residence fee $500

Biometrics: $85

Total: $1135

If the sponsor resides in or intends to reside in Quebec upon the issuance of permanent residence, a fee of $289 CAD will need to be paid in addition to the fees mentioned above.

What is the income requirement for Canadian family sponsorship?

Minimum income requirements apply to some sponsorship applications, including parents, grandparents, eligible orphaned relatives, or those eligible under the “lonely Canadian” policy.

These sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required for the size of their family unit, and must also provide Canada Revenue Agency-issued Notices of Assessment (NOA) as proof that they have met the required MNI for at least three consecutive years.

Unlike most other forms of Canadian sponsorship, you do not need to demonstrate a minimum amount of income to sponsor a spouse. However, whenever you sponsor a family member to Canada, you must sign an undertaking in which you promise to provide financial support for the basic needs of your sponsored family member. This undertaking is required for all sponsorship applications and acknowledges a sponsor’s promise to repay social assistance benefits paid to the sponsor and their family member(s) for a period of 20 years. A supplementary undertaking will need to be signed if the sponsor lives in Quebec.

The length of the undertaking depends on the category of sponsorship. For spousal sponsorship (including spouses and common-law or conjugal partners), the length of the undertaking is 3 years from the day the sponsored individual becomes a Canadian permanent resident.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are sponsoring their dependent children are not required to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), provided that their dependent child does not haveany children of their own. If the dependent child being sponsored has dependent children of their own, the sponsor must meet the MNI required for their family unit size.

Do I need a job to sponsor a family member?

To sponsor a family member other than a spouse or partner, applicants must meet MNI requirements. While a job is not necessarily required, sponsors must provide proof of sufficient income from the past three years to support their sponsored family members.

How long does sponsorship take?

Sponsorship applications take approximately 12 months to process from start to finish. They are typically processed within 12 months but they can take longer depending on the nature of your case.

If you have a complicated case, or the visa officer requires additional proof of your relationship, your application may experience delays.

The best way to ensure your sponsorship application is processed as quickly as possible is to make sure it is done right the first time. The lawyers and legal professionals at Canadim have helped thousands of spousal sponsorship candidates.

What other options do I have to bring my family member to Canada?

If sponsorship is not an option, your relative may be eligible under another Canadian immigration program. Take our free online assessment today to find out what immigration options are available to you or your family members.

How many relatives can I sponsor to Canada?

There is no limit to the number of eligible family members a Canadian permanent resident or citizen can sponsor. However, applicants must submit separate applications for each eligible family member sponsored.

Sponsoring a family member in Quebec

The federal government gives Quebec more autonomy in determining who will settle in their province. For this reason, permanent residents or citizens that reside in Quebec must first apply to the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for approval to sponsor their eligible family member. MIFI is responsible for approving a sponsorship undertaking for sponsors living in Quebec.

Canadian sponsorship background check

All individuals over the age of 18 applying for Canadian permanent residence must provide a Police Clearance Certificate to confirm they are not criminally inadmissible.

Applicants must obtain police clearances from all countries they have resided in for 6 months or longer since the age of 18.

Canadian sponsorship biometrics

Canada requires most immigration applicants to provide biometrics. Use Canada’s online tool to find out if you need to give your biometrics.

After paying your biometric fee when submitting your application, you will receive a letter from IRCC with instructions on how to provide your biometrics.

Canadian sponsorship medical exam

Individuals applying for Canadian permanent residence must undergo a medical exam to ensure they are not medically inadmissible.

You do not need to submit your medical exam with your application. After submitting your sponsorship application, IRCC will provide instructions on how to complete your medical exam.

The medical exam must be with a doctor on IRCC’s list of panel physicians.

How do I check the status of my sponsorship application?

If you applied for spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship, you may track your application status using Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker portal.

If you are sponsoring another family member, how you check your application status will depend on whether your application was submitted online or through the mail. Use IRCC’s online tool to learn more about how to check the status of your sponsorship application.

Is there a deadline for Canadian sponsorship applications?

Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply to sponsor their spouse or child at any time.

Candidates applying to sponsor their parents or grandparents must be invited to do so and apply within the deadline provided.

Can I sponsor my brother or sister to come to come to Canada?

It is very difficult to sponsor your sibling to come to Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This may only be done if you meet the criteria for a “Lonely Canadian,” or if your siblings can be included as dependents on your parental sponsorship application.

Can I sponsor my fiancé to come to Canada?

Canada does not provide an option for Canadian permanent residents or citizens to sponsor their fiancé to come to Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents must get married to apply under the spousal sponsorship category.

Alternatively, it may be possible to sponsor your fiancé to come to Canada if they qualify as a common-law partner.

Can I sponsor my boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada?

Canada does not offer a program to sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada. You must be common-law partners or married to sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada.

In very specific circumstances, Canadian permanent residents and citizens may be eligible to sponsor their conjugal partner.

Can I sponsor my friend to come to Canada?

Canada does not offer any program for a permanent resident or citizen to sponsor a friend.

If your friend is interested in immigrating to Canada, they may be eligible under another immigration program.

Is there an age limit for sponsorship in Canada?

To sponsor a family member, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit to sponsor a family member to come to Canada.

Can my spouse or common-law partner work in Canada while their inland spousal sponsorship application is being processed?

If your spouse or common-law partner is living in Canada with a valid work permit, they may continue to work, without interruption, until their visa expires. If they are living in Canada with a valid study or visitor visa, they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit that allows them to work while their application is being processed.

I am adopting a child. Do I need to wait until the adoption is final before I begin the sponsorship process? No. You can begin sponsorship if the adoption is in the final stages.

For apply.

Self Employed Programs

About the process

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.

If you’re interested in this program, you must:

- have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and

- be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

If you are interested in settling in one of Canada’s provinces or territories as a professional athlete, farmer, or artisan, you may be eligible to obtain a business immigrant visa for yourself and immediate family.

Federal Self Employed Program

Using a point-based grading system to assess the eligibility of business immigration applicants, the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program also requires applicants to possess two years of relevant work experience within their field as proof that they can be gainfully self-employed in any Canadian province except Quebec.

Quebec Self Employed Program

Somewhat similar to its federal counterpart, the Quebec Self-Employed Program requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to be successfully self-employed within their industry. This program also imposes a minimum net worth requirement of $100,000, and as with all of this province’s immigration programs, the intent to reside in Quebec.

Eligibility

To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must:

- have relevant experience

- be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada

- meet the program’s selection criteria and

- meet medical, security and other conditions

Relevant experience

Your experience is relevant if you have:

- taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or

- been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics

Definitions

Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience.

It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day we make a decision on your application. You can get more points if you have 3, 4, or 5 years of experience.

At a minimum, your experience must be:

for cultural activities:

- 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or

- 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or

- a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)

for athletics:

- 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or

- 2 one-year periods participating at a world class level in athletics, or

- a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above

Selection criteria

We assess you on selection criteria that include your:

1) experience

2) education

3) age

4) language abilities

5) adaptability

Medical, security checks and other requirements

You and your family members must have a medical exam and get police certificates.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.

For apply. 

Start-up Visa

About the process

Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:

 - are innovative

- can create jobs for Canadians

- can compete on a global scale

Do you have an innovative business idea? If you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organisations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.

Want to live in Quebec?

The Province of Quebec is in charge of its own business immigration program. If you plan to live in Quebec, visit Quebec’s immigration website.

Who can apply

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:

- have a qualifying business

- get a letter of support from a designated organisation

- meet the language requirements

- bring enough money to settle

Have a qualifying business

A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions.

At the time you get a commitment from a designated organisation:

- each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners)

AND

- applicants and the designated organisation jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time

- At the time you receive your permanent residence:

- you provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada

- an essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada

- this business is incorporated in Canada

Get a letter of support from a designated organisation

You must get a letter of support from a designated organisation (a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups).

You’ll need to:

- contact the designated organisation to find out how to get its support

- convince the organisation that you have a business idea that is worth supporting

- get a letter of support from the designated organisation

The process to pitch your idea is different for each organisation. Each organisation has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.

If you reach an agreement with a designated organisation, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.

The organisation will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. We’ll use both your letter of support and the organisation's commitment certificate to assess your application. Please note, we may ask you for more business information in order to take a final decision on your application.

If you don’t include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, we’ll refuse your application.

Meet the language requirements

The ability to communicate and work in English, French or both languages will help your business succeed in Canada.

You must take a language test from an approved agency and include the results with your application, or we won’t process it.

You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas:

- speaking

- reading

- listening

- writing

Use your test results to find your CLB level.

If you don’t meet the minimum language skills, we’ll refuse your application.

Bring enough money to settle

The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants.

When you apply, you’ll need to give proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada. You can’t borrow this money from another person.

The amount you need depends on the size of your family. We update these amounts every year.

For applying