Whether you wish to come as a skilled worker, entrepreneur, student, or permanent resident, there are several immigration programs suited to different profiles. This article tells you everything about the entry conditions and steps to take for immigrating to Canada. Discover the eligibility criteria, specific requirements, and essential steps to realize your expatriation project.
Entry Requirements for Canada
First, you can determine which immigration program best suits you by using the online tools provided by You may be eligible for several immigration programs, so it's important to take the time to analyze each one carefully.
Some individuals may be inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. To learn more about the reasons for inadmissibility, you can visit the
Different Immigration Programs in Canada
To come to Canada, you can apply as a tourist, student, temporary worker, or permanent resident. Additionally, helps you determine which work permit would be best for you and if there are any special instructions to follow when submitting your application.
To immigrate to Canada permanently, you must gather information before choosing one of the various programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
This program is aimed at with work experience who wish to become permanent residents. To be eligible, you must meet all minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language skills, and education level. Candidates must have at least one year of full-time work experience in an occupation classified under NOC categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the (NOC). You will need to in French or English, and if you studied abroad, obtain an for immigration purposes from a . If you are bilingual, it is highly recommended to take language tests in both languages, as this can significantly boost your score in the Express Entry points system. You will also need to have proof of , unless you are already authorized to work in Canada with a .
Note:
This program is not suitable if you wish to settle in Quebec.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
This program is designed for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents due to their . You must have acquired at least (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in a within the 5 years preceding your application. You must also have a for a total period of at least 1 year or a in your skilled trade . You will need to , in French or English.
Good to know:
The Skilled Trades Program has no education requirements. If candidates wish to improve their score in the Express Entry system, they can earn points for their education, but it is not required for eligibility. However, you will need to have proof of , unless you have a valid job offer.
Note:
This program is not suitable if you wish to settle in Quebec.
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
The is intended for skilled workers who have work experience in Canada and wish to become permanent residents. You must have acquired at least (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in Canada within the last 3 years before applying. Skilled work experience means you have held a job in .
Note:
You are not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if you are an asylum seeker in Canada, if you are working in Canada without authorization, or if your work experience was acquired while you did not have temporary resident status in Canada.
You will need to in French or English (or both to increase your score). The Canadian Experience Class has no education requirements. However, additional points are awarded for obtaining Canadian diplomas or for foreign diplomas validated by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that demonstrate equivalency with Canadian diplomas. This program is not suitable if you wish to settle in Quebec.
Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers
Status: paused until June 30, 2025
This application process is for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec. Quebec has a special immigration agreement with the Canadian government, allowing it to apply its own rules for selecting immigrants. It is the only province that holds such extensive immigration powers.
To immigrate to Canada as a , you must first apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the . If Quebec selects you and issues this document, you must then submit your application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Since November 29, 2024, the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) has been replaced by the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP). Currently, there is a temporary suspension of invitations to apply for permanent selection in this province, which is expected to last until June 30, 2025. This suspension affects applications under the SWSP and aims to regulate immigration to Quebec.
Note:
This program is not suitable if you wish to settle in Quebec under another program or if you are an asylum seeker in Canada, if you work without authorization, or if your work experience was acquired without legal status.
Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Self-Employed Persons
The allows you to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. To be eligible, you must have relevant experience in cultural or athletic activities, or have the intention and ability to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. For example, you may be eligible if you are an artist, artisan, musician, writer, athlete, coach, or engage in a similar activity. For a self-employed person, relevant experience means at least two years of experience. You and your family members must undergo a and obtain . You must also prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after arriving in Canada.
Note:
This federal program is paused until January 2027
Good to know:
Quebec has its own selection process for self-employed persons. Unlike the federal program, it targets individuals with experience in a broad professional field who intend to settle and work independently in Quebec. Quebec also offers specific immigration programs for investors and entrepreneurs. These programs are currently paused and will not be available until June 30, 2025. A new version is planned for January 2026. The details and eligibility criteria of these new programs will be announced later.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and foreign graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution who want to work and live in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates to fill positions they have not been able to fill locally. You must obtain a job offer from a designated Atlantic Canadian employer. Employers must be designated by the province to hire a foreign candidate. In 2025, fees start at 1,525 CAD. For details on processing your application, visit .
Start-up Visa
The Canada Start-up Visa targets immigrant entrepreneurs who have the desire and skills to establish businesses in Canada that innovate, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete globally. Your business must be and you must obtain a letter of support from a designated organization, such as an angel investor group, a venture capital fund, or a business incubator. You must undergo a and include the results with your application.
To be eligible for the , you must demonstrate that you have the necessary funds to support yourself and your family when settling in Canada. It is also required to obtain an investment from a designated organization: at least 200,000 CAD from a venture capital fund or at least 75,000 CAD from an angel investor group. No minimum investment is required if you are accepted by a designated business incubator.
Additionally, you must bring sufficient funds to settle: 14,690 CAD for one person, 18,288 CAD for a couple, or 22,483 CAD for a couple with one child.
In February 2025, processing times are estimated at 39 months, and fees start at 2,385 CAD.
Sponsoring a Family Member
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada can sponsor certain family members to immigrate to Canada permanently under the family reunification category. The includes spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, and in some cases, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or other relatives. The fees for sponsoring a child are 170 CAD, or 1,205 CAD for an adult aged 22 or older.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
This program is for workers who have the skills, education, and work experience needed to . Each province and territory has its own streams and criteria under their program. Depending on the stream, you may need to apply through a non-Express Entry stream or through Express Entry. In all cases, you will need to undergo a and obtain a . To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions provided on their website and contact the relevant administration directly. You can find all the official provincial and territorial websites on . Quebec has its own agreement with the Canadian government and is not included in the federal PNP.
Caregivers
If you are a worker in the home care sector and wish to come to Canada, several options are available for obtaining permanent residence. Although previous pilot programs, such as the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot, expired on June 17, 2024, new options are available.
Since March 31, 2025, new improved pilot programs have been launched for . These programs will offer permanent residence upon arrival in Canada, which represents an improvement over previous programs. For example, the help skilled workers with a job offer in this field to immigrate to Canada permanently.
Refugees
undergo a rigorous process to determine the eligibility of their claim under Canadian and international law. A person can apply for asylum in Canada at a point of entry upon arrival or if they are already in the country.
Note:
(ASD) that have expired are no longer valid since April 1, 2025. To replace their documents, claimants must follow the steps indicated on .
Important:
The procedures for permanent residence can be lengthy and costly. It costs about 2,000 CAD and more for a single person. Since Canada favors applicants with prior experience in the country, you might start by coming to Canada to study or to work . Your experience in Canada will allow you to obtain permanent residence more quickly and easily. It is important to note that even if a person has already provided their biometric data for a previous application (e.g., a study or work permit), they will need to provide it again when applying for permanent residence.
Documents to Obtain Before Leaving for Canada
Most people applying for a first temporary residence permit — student or temporary worker — must submit their biometric data. In some cases, applicants may be eligible for an , but most of the time, you must appear in person at a to .
All visa-exempt travelers to Canada must obtain an . This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens and travelers who hold a valid permit.
Extending Your Stay in Canada
If you wish to as a worker, the application must be made at least 30 days before your current status expires. Workers, visitors, or students all have the option to extend their stay.
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