Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada

There are several pathways to obtaining PR, depending on your education, work experience, family connections, entrepreneurial goals, or humanitarian circumstances. Below, we break down the most common and accessible routes.

1. Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is one of the fastest and most popular ways to obtain PR. It’s a points-based, online system used by the federal government to manage applications under three economic immigration streams:​

a. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For applicants with skilled work experience outside of Canada.

Eligibility factors include:

• At least one year of skilled work experience in the past 10 years,

• A post-secondary education,

• Language proficiency in English and/or French (CLB 7+),

• Sufficient funds to settle in Canada.

Applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for PR.​​

​b. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

For individuals who have already worked in Canada for at least one year in a skilled job and have gained Canadian experience. This stream is ideal for:

• International graduates with PGWPs,

• Temporary foreign workers,

• Applicants with strong English or French skills.​

c. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

For applicants with experience in specific skilled trades (e.g., construction, welding, plumbing, electricians).
Requires:

• At least two years of full-time work in a skilled trade,

• A valid job offer or certification of qualification in Canada.
   

Category-Based Express Entry Draws

As of mid-2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a category-based selection system under Express Entry. This policy shift means that IRCC now conducts some draws specifically targeting candidates with in-demand work experience or language abilities, rather than relying solely on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.

What does this mean for applicants?
If you work in a priority sector identified by IRCC—even if your CRS score is not among the highest—you may still receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through a targeted draw.
 

Current priority categories include:

• Healthcare occupations

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields

• Skilled trades (e.g., carpenters, electricians, plumbers)

• Transport and logistics (e.g., truck drivers, crane operators)

• Agriculture and agri-food

• French-language proficiency (for Francophone applicants across Canada)

This category-based approach reflects Canada’s economic and demographic priorities, making it critical for applicants to align their profiles with these sectors where possible.

Whether you qualify under a general draw or through a specific category, Express Entry remains one of the most flexible and efficient pathways to permanent residency.

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to settle in a specific province and contribute to its economy. Each province has its own set of criteria and streams.

Main PNP streams include:

a. Skilled Worker Streams

For applicants with skills in demand in a particular province.

b. International Graduate Streams

For students who completed studies in a Canadian institution within that province.

c. Employer-Driven or Job Offer Streams

For candidates with a valid job offer from a provincial employer.

d. Entrepreneur and Investor Streams

For experienced business owners or senior managers willing to invest and operate a business in Canada. Requirements vary by province but often include:

• A minimum net worth,

• Business management experience,

• Commitment to operate a business and create jobs.

Examples:

• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• British Columbia PNP (including Tech Pilot & Entrepreneur stream)

• Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

Successful nominees receive additional CRS points under Express Entry or apply for PR directly through the province.

3. Start-Up Visa Program

Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) targets innovative entrepreneurs who want to launch a business in Canada. To qualify, you must:

• Secure a letter of support from a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator),

• Meet language proficiency requirements (CLB 5 minimum),

• Have enough funds to settle in Canada,

• Own a qualifying share in the business,

• Prove that the business is innovative, scalable, and capable of creating jobs in Canada.

This is a direct PR pathway—if approved, you and your family receive PR even before the business is fully operational.​

4. Family Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members to become permanent residents.

Eligible relationships include:

• Spouse or common-law partner,

• Dependent children,

• Parents and grandparents (under the annual intake cap or through the Super Visa program),

• In rare cases, orphaned siblings, nieces/nephews, or adopted family members.

5. Refugees and Protected Persons

Individuals recognized as refugees or protected persons inside Canada can apply for permanent residence after receiving a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) or IRCC. This is a humanitarian-based PR pathway that prioritizes safety and protection.

6. Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Applications

As discussed earlier, people with compelling personal hardship and strong establishment in Canada may apply for PR under H&C grounds. These are discretionary applications assessed case by case.​

7. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

For skilled workers and international graduates who wish to live and work in one of the four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Must have:

• A valid job offer from a designated employer,

• A personalized settlement plan.​

8. Agri-Food and Rural/Community Pilot Programs

Canada has also introduced targeted pilots to address specific labor shortages in smaller communities and sectors like agriculture, caregiving, and food processing. These include:

• Agri-Food Pilot

• Home Support Worker Pilot

• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

Each program has unique criteria tied to occupation, community needs, and employer offers.