Pathways – Immigration to Canada

Over the past fifty years, Canada has established a reputation for accepting immigrants and appreciating diversity. In Canada, the proportion of foreign-born individuals makes up over 25% of the total population, which is the highest in over 150 years and among the highest in developed Western countries. While some Canadians are concerned about the growing pressure on housing and social services, immigrants have helped the nation combat aging demographics and spur economic growth.

Find the right immigration program through THIS tool on the IRCC website. 

Immigration Options:

Immigrate through Express Entry 

This application process is for skilled immigrants who want to settle in Canada permanently and take part in Canadian economy. Express Entry is an online system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.

There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry:

1.     Canadian Experience Class

• For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience

• Work experience must have been gained in the 3 years before application

2.     Federal Skilled Worker Program

• For skilled workers with foreign work experience

• Must meet criteria for education and other factors

3.     Federal Skilled Trades Program

• For skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade

• Must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification

If you’re eligible for one of the above programs, you can also apply through the Express Entry for Provincial Nominee Program. However, PNP also offers a Non-Express Entry process. 

Immigrate as a Provincial Nominee

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 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 provide or territory

• 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

An important detail to note is that the Province of Quebec has its own nominee program

Quebec-selected skilled workers

This is the application process for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven program. It’s designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities.

Agri-Food Pilot*

The Agri-Food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and with specific occupations.

*Open until May 14th, 2025

Caregivers

One can come to Canada to become a permanent resident or work temporarily as a caregiver.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot is a program that lets qualified caregivers come to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents. If you don’t meet the requirements for permanent residence, or can’t apply under the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots, you may be able to work temporarily as a caregiver.

Start-up Visa Program

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

• Are innovative

• Can create jobs for Canadians

• Can compete on a global scale

Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) combines refugee resettlement and economic immigration. It’s a pathway that:

• Helps skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs

• Gives employers access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings

Refugees and asylum

Refugees are people who are forced to leave their home countries because of serious human rights abuses. The right to asylum from persecution is an international human right. 

Claim refugee protection (asylum) from inside Canada: It is possible to apply from within Canada as a refugee if someone fears persecution, or if they are in danger if they returned to their home country. It is also possible for Canadian citizens to sponsor a refugee and help them resettle in Canada.

Canada has welcomed over 40,000 vulnerable Afghans through several special measures and programs as a response to the situation in Afghanistan.

Immediate/Extended Family/Dependent of a Resettled Yazidi or Survivor of Daesh*

One can apply to immigrate to Canada if they an immediate or extended family member or de facto dependent of a previously resettled Yazidi or survivor of Daesh who:

• Currently lives in Canada

• Is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• Was resettled as a refugee under the initiative for survivors of Daesh

*Online applications are no longer being accepted

Sponsor Family Members

It is also possible to sponsor family members to become permanent residents so they can live, study and work in Canada. Following are some important resources with details about sponsoring relatives to immigrate to Canada.

• Sponsoring spouse, partner or dependent children

• Sponsoring adopted child

• Sponsoring relatives

• Sponsoring your parents and grandparents

Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents*

Residents from Hong Kong are eligible to apply for an open work permit while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed. This policy provides Hong Kong residents who are currently in Canada and their families a pathway to permanent residence. It is possible to apply for permanent residence under one of the following two streams:

• Stream A: In-Canada graduates

• Stream B: Canadian work experience

*Open until August 31st, 2026