Immigration to Canada — at a glance
Canada runs one of the most digitised immigration systems in the world. Almost every application — from a visitor record to permanent residence — flows through the IRCC online portals, with the same supporting evidence reused across permits. The system splits decision-making between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which decides applications, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which handles admission at airports and land crossings. The clear separation matters: an approved permit is not a guarantee of entry, and a CBSA officer can still impose conditions or, rarely, refuse admission.
The federal Express Entry stream powers the largest economic class — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) candidates compete for invitations through Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) draws — but it is far from the only route. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program, the Rural and Northern pilot, and Quebec's separate selection grid run alongside Express Entry, each with its own scoring, occupations in demand, and timing. Family sponsorship and study permits operate on parallel tracks.
What makes Canada's system distinctive for applicants is the bridging architecture: study, work, and permanent residence routes are deliberately stitched together. A post-graduation work permit can buy you the Canadian work experience that Express Entry rewards; a spousal open work permit lets a partner work full-time while a sponsorship application is pending; a bridging open work permit (BOWP) keeps you working when your closed permit expires before a PR decision lands. The guides in this hub focus on the moments where one permit hands off to the next.
Across all routes, the same evidence keeps reappearing: a language test result (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF, or TCF), an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign degrees, biometric enrolment within 30 days of the BIL letter, a police certificate from every country you have lived in for 6 months or more, and a recent medical exam with a panel physician. Building this evidence pack early — well before the application is created in your IRCC portal — is often the difference between a first-attempt approval and a request for additional documents that adds 6 to 12 weeks to the timeline.
Main pathways into Canada
Most economic immigration is decided through Express Entry or one of the 80+ provincial streams; family routes run through sponsorship undertakings; and study and short-term work routes have their own permit families. The right starting point depends on whether you have Canadian work experience, a job offer with an LMIA, a Canadian spouse, or a competitive Express Entry profile.
- Express Entry (CEC, FSW, FST)Federal economic class running on the CRS points grid; invited candidates submit eAPR within 60 days.
- Provincial Nominee ProgramsEach province targets occupations and graduates relevant to its labour market; nominations add 600 CRS points.
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)Lets workers with a pending PR application keep working when their existing permit expires.
- Spousal Open Work PermitFor spouses or common-law partners of work-permit, study-permit, or PR-sponsored applicants.
- Quebec Skilled Worker ProgramQuebec selects on its own grid (Arrima); a federal medical and security check still applies.
- Study permit + PGWP routeDesignated Learning Institution acceptance leads to a study permit and, after graduation, a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Key facts about Canada immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
CBSA decides admission at the border.
Currency
CAD (CA$)
Common application portal
IRCC secure account and Permanent Residence Portal (PRP)
Language tests accepted
IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada
Biometrics requirement
CA$85 per applicant (CA$170 family of 2+); valid for 10 years.
Quebec selection
Quebec selects its own economic immigrants via Arrima before federal processing.
Citizenship eligibility
Permanent residents may apply for citizenship after 1,095 days physical presence in 5 years.
Typical fees and processing windows (Canada)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry (PR application) | Application + Right of PR fee CA$1,525; CA$1,525 spouse; CA$260 dependent child | 5–7 months from eAPR submission for most CEC profilesFederal fees were re-indexed in 2026; verify on the IRCC fees page. |
| Visitor visa (TRV) — outside Canada | CA$100 per applicant; family group cap CA$500 | Highly variable by visa office — typically 2 weeks to 6 monthsBiometrics fee applies separately. |
| Study permit — outside Canada | CA$150 + biometrics | 4–14 weeks; faster for SDS-eligible applicantsProvincial Attestation Letter (PAL) now required for most undergraduate applicants. |
| Open work permit (spousal / PGWP / BOWP) | CA$155 work permit + CA$100 OWP holder fee = CA$255 | Inside Canada: 60–120 days standard; PGWP often shorter |
| Spousal sponsorship — inside Canada | CA$150 sponsorship + CA$490 principal applicant + CA$575 RPRF + CA$85 biometrics | Approximately 10–14 months for in-Canada class |
Start with your goal
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34 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
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Quick planning tools for Canada — eligibility, costs, processing times, and interview prep, built on official sources.
Which Canadian route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in Canada.
Situation 1
I have a Canadian degree and one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
You likely qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. Run an Express Entry CRS calculation, get a language test, and submit an EE profile. The Express Entry guide walks through CRS optimisation.
Situation 2
My spouse is on a Canadian work permit and I want to work too.
Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. The 2024 eligibility tightening still allows spouses of skilled workers in TEER 0/1 occupations and selected master's/PhD students.
Situation 3
My PR application is pending and my work permit is about to expire.
File a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) before your current permit expires. Maintained-status rules let you keep working under existing conditions while IRCC decides.
Situation 4
I am admitted to a Canadian college or university.
Apply for a study permit; SDS routes are faster from approved countries. Most undergraduate applicants now need a Provincial Attestation Letter alongside the LOA.
Situation 5
I want to settle in Quebec.
Use the Quebec Skilled Worker pathway through Arrima rather than federal Express Entry — Quebec selects its own economic immigrants and you will need a CSQ before IRCC processing.
Recent Canada immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
Reduced study permit cap continues with PAL requirement
The federal study-permit cap remains in effect with provincial attestation letters (PALs) required for most college and undergraduate applicants. Master's and PhD applicants are largely exempt from the cap.
Read the related guideExpress Entry category-based draws continue to favour French speakers
IRCC has confirmed it will continue running French-language proficiency category-based draws alongside healthcare, STEM, and trades draws through 2026.
Canada immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit Canada.
Do I need a job offer to apply through Express Entry?
No. A valid LMIA-supported job offer or arranged employment adds 50 or 200 CRS points but is not required. Many CEC and FSW candidates are invited based on age, education, language scores, and Canadian experience alone.
How is the CRS score calculated?
The Comprehensive Ranking System scores up to 1,200 points across age, education, language, work experience, adaptability, and additional points (Canadian education, French proficiency, sibling in Canada, provincial nomination). Cut-offs vary by draw category — most general draws sit between 480 and 540.
What is the difference between a closed work permit and an open work permit?
A closed (employer-specific) work permit ties you to a single Canadian employer named on the permit. An open work permit lets you work for almost any employer in Canada — examples include the spousal open work permit, the post-graduation work permit (PGWP), and the bridging open work permit (BOWP) granted to people with a pending PR application.
Can my partner work in Canada while I study?
Spouses and common-law partners of full-time students at a Designated Learning Institution can apply for a spousal open work permit, but eligibility tightened in 2024–2025 — only spouses of master's, doctoral, and select professional-program students currently qualify. Confirm against the latest IRCC instructions before applying.
How does Quebec selection differ from federal Express Entry?
Quebec runs its own economic-immigration grid through Arrima. Candidates need a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) before IRCC will issue permanent residence. Express Entry profiles are filtered out of federal draws once a Quebec destination is declared.
How long until I qualify for Canadian citizenship after PR?
Permanent residents must accumulate 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada within the five years immediately before applying, file Canadian taxes for at least three of those years, and meet language requirements at CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French) for ages 18–54.
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