380,000
PR target for 2026 (IRCC Levels Plan)
5 categories
Economic, family, temporary, humanitarian, business
Sourced from IRCC
Every requirement links to official sources
Canada offers multiple pathways to permanent residence, temporary work, and study. Each has specific eligibility requirements, processing timelines, and costs. Understanding your options is the first step, explore each pathway below.
For Express Entry candidates, track the latest Express Entry draw results and CRS cutoffs on our draw tracker to stay up to date on invitation rounds.
Most Popular Pathways
Express Entry
Canada's primary system for skilled worker PR applications. Includes FSW, CEC, and FST streams. CRS-ranked draws issued regularly.
Spousal Sponsorship
Sponsor your spouse or partner for permanent residence. Open work permit available while application processes.
Work Permit → PR
Work in Canada, gain experience, then apply through Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry.
Study → PGWP → PR
Study at a Canadian DLI, obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit, accumulate Canadian experience, then apply for PR.
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Economic Immigration
2 pathwaysExpress Entry
EconomicCanada's primary system for managing PR applications from skilled workers. Includes Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
Key Requirements
- Minimum 1 year skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)
- Language proficiency (CLB 7+ for FSW)
- Education credential assessment for foreign degrees
Varies; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
EconomicProvinces and territories nominate individuals who want to settle in their region and who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to their economy.
Key Requirements
- Requirements vary by province and stream
- Most require job offer or connection to the province
- Some streams aligned with Express Entry (adds 600 CRS points)
Varies by province; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Family Immigration
1 pathwayFamily Sponsorship
FamilyCanadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members (spouse, partner, dependent children, parents, grandparents) for permanent residence.
Key Requirements
- Sponsor must be Canadian citizen or PR, 18+
- Must meet income requirements (parents/grandparents)
- Must sign undertaking to financially support sponsored person
Varies; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Temporary Immigration
2 pathwaysWork Permits
TemporaryTemporary authorization to work in Canada. Most require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer, though many exemptions exist under international agreements and other programs.
Key Requirements
- Job offer from Canadian employer (most cases)
- LMIA or LMIA-exempt category
- No criminal inadmissibility
Varies by country and type; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Study Permits
TemporaryRequired for international students studying in Canada for programs longer than 6 months. Must be accepted at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Key Requirements
- Letter of acceptance from a DLI
- Proof of financial support (tuition plus living costs; single-applicant cost-of-living proof outside Quebec is generally $22,895 as of Sept 1, 2025, confirm current amount on canada.ca)
- No criminal inadmissibility
Varies by country; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Humanitarian Immigration
1 pathwayRefugee & Humanitarian
HumanitarianProtection for people who fear persecution or face danger in their home country. Includes in-Canada asylum claims and government/private sponsorship of refugees abroad.
Key Requirements
- Well-founded fear of persecution (Convention refugee)
- Risk of torture, cruel treatment, or risk to life (person in need of protection)
- Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) selected by UNHCR
Varies significantly by claim type and country
Business Immigration
1 pathwayBusiness Immigration
BusinessPrograms for entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed persons who want to establish or invest in Canadian businesses.
Key Requirements
- Start-Up Visa: intake of new applications is restricted; IRCC stopped accepting most new applications as of Dec 31, 2025 (confirm current intake on canada.ca)
- Self-Employed Persons Program: relevant experience in art, culture, recreation or sports; intake is paused (confirm status on canada.ca)
- Provincial entrepreneur streams have varying requirements
Varies by program; confirm current estimate on IRCC
Have a Criminal Record?
A criminal record can create inadmissibility under IRPA s.36, potentially affecting your immigration application or entry to Canada. Understanding your admissibility status is an important first step before pursuing any pathway.
Related Resources
Important: Processing times are estimates based on IRCC published data and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify with the official IRCC processing time tool before making travel or employment decisions. ClearToEnter is an educational resource, not legal advice. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.
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