IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Canada's main immigration programs

From Express Entry to family sponsorship: what each route requires and who it suits. Québec programs have their own page.

EXPRESS ENTRY

Express Entry

The main federal route for economic immigration. You create an online profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates in regular rounds. After an invitation you have 60 days to apply, and IRCC's processing target is about six months.

Express Entry in 2026

2026 target for Federal High Skilled (Express Entry): 109,000; PNP target: 91,500 (55,000 in 2025).
Ten draw categories: French, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, and four new for 2026: physicians, senior managers and researchers with Canadian experience, and skilled military recruits. Agriculture was dropped.
Occupational categories now need 12 months of full-time work in one occupation within 3 years (was 6 continuous months).
From November 3, 2026: job offers in 186 high-wage occupations earn points again (50/70/100), or Canadian experience in those jobs earns 20/40/70; the higher counts, up to 100. Job offers no longer need an LMIA.
Ottawa is studying merging FSW, CEC and FST into one program, and consulted on a 2027 pathway for H-1B holders.

Who it suits

Graduates with skilled work experience
Professionals working in the U.S. on H-1B, L-1 or similar status
International students and workers already in Canada
Candidates targeted by category rounds: French, healthcare, STEM, trades

Key requirements

Federal Skilled Worker: one year of continuous skilled work in the last 10 years, CLB 7, 67 points on the selection grid, proof of funds
Canadian Experience Class: one year of skilled Canadian work in the last 3 years
Federal Skilled Trades: two years of trade experience in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or certificate of qualification
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and an approved language test

How we help

Identify the right program and where your CRS can grow
Plan the ECA, language tests and proof of funds
Prepare and file the full application after an invitation

PNP

Provincial Nominee Program

Every province and territory except Québec and Nunavut runs its own nominee program to meet local labour needs. A nomination linked to Express Entry adds 600 CRS points.

See every province's current program →

Who it suits

Candidates whose CRS is not high enough, but whose occupation a province needs
People with a job offer from an employer in the province
International graduates of the province
Entrepreneurs planning to start a business there

Key requirements

Each province sets its own streams: employer-driven, international graduate, in-demand occupation, entrepreneur
Some streams are aligned with Express Entry (enhanced), others are separate (base)
You usually need to show you intend to live in the province

How we help

Compare provincial streams and find the best fit
Help employers with their side of employer-driven streams
File the federal PR application after nomination

STUDY TO PR

Study to PR

Study at a designated learning institution (DLI), get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), gain Canadian experience, then apply for PR through the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial program. Study permits are now capped, so school and program choices matter more.

Who it suits

Applicants who do not yet qualify to immigrate directly
Families who want a Canadian education for a parent or child
Younger applicants willing to plan in stages

Key requirements

An acceptance letter from a DLI
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) for most applications; master's and PhD students at public institutions are exempt from 2026
Proof of funds for tuition and living costs
PGWP eligibility depends on the school, program and language scores; check it before you enrol

How we help

Choose schools and programs that lead to PR
Study permit applications and re-applications after refusal
PGWP and the PR application that follows

WORK PERMITS

Work permits

Working in Canada first is the starting point for many families, and the experience counts toward the Canadian Experience Class.

Who it suits

People with a Canadian employer ready to hire them
Employees of multinationals moving to a Canadian office
Spouses of international students or skilled workers

Key requirements

LMIA-based permits: the employer first obtains a Labour Market Impact Assessment
Intra-company transfer: managers or specialists with one year of continuous work at a related company abroad in the last 3 years
Spousal open work permits: eligibility narrowed in 2025 and must be checked case by case
U.S. and Mexican citizens can consider CUSMA professional permits

How we help

Decide between LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt options
Prepare documents for employer and employee
Plan the work permit and the later PR route together

FAMILY

Family sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members, or invite parents for long visits on a super visa.

Who it suits

Spouses and common-law partners of citizens or PRs
Dependent children under 22
Parents and grandparents

Key requirements

Spousal sponsorship: show the relationship is genuine; apply from inside or outside Canada
Parents and Grandparents Program: limited spaces by invitation; sponsors must meet income requirements
Super visa: stays of up to 5 years at a time, visa valid up to 10 years, Canadian medical insurance required

How we help

Organize relationship evidence and letters
Review sponsor eligibility and income
Respond to refusals or re-apply

Start with a free assessment

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