Canada Immigration: A Helpful Guide to Relocation

If you’ve decided to immigrate to Canada for work, school, retirement, or to raise a family, there are a couple of things you should know about how Canadian immigration works. The country welcomes immigrants from all nationalities, but the immigration policy is strict and constantly evolving.

Coupled with the expensive living costs and a competitive job market, it’s hard to keep up. But we are here to help. In this article, we will explain the various immigration programs you can apply for, all your visa options, and the latest immigration trends.

Stick around to learn about:

• Who needs a visa to immigrate to Canada?
• Canadian Immigration Requirements for Permanent Residence
• Latest Canada Immigration Trends and Statistics

Canada Immigration Requirements

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides clear entry rules that apply to all immigrants, whether you arrive as tourists, temporary workers, permanent residents, or international students.

Canada accepts immigrants with a legal immigration status, which can be obtained through a valid visa (like a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit) and permanent residence programs (like Start-up Visa, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and Express Entry).

Immigration played a key role in Canada’s economy in previous years. The country has one of the highest ratios of immigrants per capita, making it a top destination for employment, international graduates, and affordable health care.

The table below provides an overview of Canada’s immigration requirements:

Who needs a visa to immigrate to Canada?

Most immigrants need a visa to enter Canada for work, study, tourism purposes, or permanent residency. The requirements for a visa depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Visas are processed by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), often through Canadian Embassies or Consulates in your home country.

If you are a national of a visa-required country (such as Armenia, Belarus, and Angola), you must apply for the appropriate visa before you travel. This often includes a visitor visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Most tourists on a visa can stay up to six months. You can get a single or multiple-entry visa, which can last up to 10 years or until your biometrics or passport expires. A multiple-entry visa called the Canada Super Visa offers extended stays. Super Visa holders who moved to Canada after 22 June 2023 can stay for five years.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries (such as most European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan) don’t need a visa for short visits, often up to six months. However, most immigrants must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they travel by air, as this is a separate screening process and a basic entry requirement.

Note: United States citizens are exempt from the eTA rule. They only need a valid US passport and a permanent resident status (Green Card) to enter Canada.

Canadian Immigration Requirements for Permanent Residence

Canada uses four categories to classify new permanent residents: Economic class, family sponsorship, Refugees and protected persons, and Humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Economic class

This is the biggest category for business immigration to Canada that attracts skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors capable of promoting economic growth. These programs can lead to permanent residency, so you can enjoy most of the social benefits that Canadian citizens have.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Express Entry: This immigration system is for skilled workers applying under three sub-categories: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program. This immigration category uses a comprehensive ranking system to select only the most qualified skilled workers.
• Start-up Visa Program (SUV): The Canada Start-up Visa is an entrepreneur visa for immigrants with an innovative startup or a startup concept and support from a designated organization.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): These programs attract immigrants to a specific province or territory to accommodate labor market demands. PNPs provide employment for skilled workers and attract entrepreneurs and investors.
• Other economic incentives: Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), and Self-Employed Persons program.

Family sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor family members for permanent resident status. A sponsor must be 18 or older and have the financial means to support themselves and eligible family members.

You can sponsor:

• Conjugal partner, common-paw partner, or spouse
• Dependent children (biological, adopted, and step-children)
• Parents and grandparents
• Other relatives under limited circumstances (such as siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren)

The average processing time is 10 to 12 months for sponsoring a spouse and 36 months for parents or grandparents.

Refugees and protected persons

The Canadian government can grant refugee protection to immigrants from abroad (resettled refugees) or from within Canada (asylum claim seekers with protected persons status). They can apply for permanent resident status, which can take around two years.

There is a special immigration program, known as the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), for skilled refugees who come to Canada not just for safety but also to find work. This program brings a new pool of skilled workers to fill job openings.

Humanitarian and compassionate grounds

If you do not fit any other program but have exceptional humanitarian or compassionate reasons to receive Canadian permanent residence, this would be your last resort. The average processing times for these cases are 23 to 49 months.

This program can include victims of abuse or exploitation, parents of Canadian children, and people who can’t return to their home country. You can also apply if you are involved in Canadian society through religious groups, volunteer work, or community activities.

An immigration agency, like Global Citizens Solutions, can help you relocate to Canada and choose the right pathway that suits your needs. We are an international mobility consultancy well-versed in immigration law. Whether you are setting up a business or immigrating as a skilled worker, it’s important to have licensed representation by your side.

Canada Immigration Online Application: Step-by-step

To apply online, you must:

• Choose the immigration program you want to apply for.
• Sign in to your account on the official website of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Compile the necessary documents based on the program you need.
• Fill out the online forms and pay your fees.
• Wait for processing and add any necessary changes.
• Receive your immigrant status.

A Canadian immigration lawyer can help with documentation and relocation. They can simplify the process for you, defend your case, and advise you on the latest immigration law.

Latest Canada Immigration Trends and Statistics

Canada is a global leader in immigration policies with superior border security and labor protections. Asian and African immigrants make up a significant portion of new PRs. India has the highest number of applicants, with 86,855 approved PRs in 2024, followed by the Philippines with 20,645, and China with 19,055. These nationals benefit Canada’s economy through employment, business investment, or other economic incentives.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

In 2024, the Start-up Visa hit record highs with 5,595 new PRs for immigrant entrepreneurs. However, Canada’s plan from 2025 to 2027 is to cut the number of new PRs to 395,000 (in 2025), 380,000 (in 2026), and 365,000 (in 2027). These new targets are here to make housing affordability more accessible to residents, international students, and native-born Canadians.

Most immigrants settle in the largest urban centers, such as Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec), and Vancouver (British Columbia), statistics Canada show. These cities are popular for those seeking citizenship through investment, which in Canada includes acquiring permanent residency first.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Immigration

Is Canada allowing US citizens to immigrate?

Yes, US citizens have unique benefits when immigrating to Canada. They don’t need a visa or an eTA for short travels, only a valid passport and lawful permanent residency (Green Card). But if they plan to study, work, or immigrate to Canada permanently, they will need a work permit or a permanent resident status.

What is Canada's new immigration policy?

The latest changes to the immigration policy are the targets for reducing temporary and permanent resident admissions. The country plans to accept only 395,000 new PRs in 2025 and decrease the number of temporary residents to five percent of Canada’s total population in the next three years.

Is Canada still receiving immigrants?

Yes, Canada still welcomes many immigrants. In fact, immigrants or permanent residents make up the biggest share (23 percent) of Canada’s population, recent statistics show. That means almost one in four people arrived as an immigrant or PR in 2021. Immigration programs boost cultural diversity and fill economic needs.

How much money do we need to immigrate to Canada?

Immigrants need at least $14,690 to support themselves. The more family members you include in your application, the more money you’ll need. To provide adequate financial responsibility, you need $18,288 for a family of two, $27,297 for a family of four. If more than seven people apply, you will need $3,958 for each family member.

What are the different pathways for immigrating to Canada?

There are four main pathways to permanent residency: economic class (i.e., Express Entry, Start-up Visa, PNPs), family class, refugees and protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate class. They benefit the Country’s economic growth and diversity.

What are the processing times for immigrating to Canada?

The average processing times vary based on the program. Economic immigration with Express Entry for federal skilled workers can take about six months. But the Startup Visa has longer queues, often taking 43 months or longer.

What is the International Mobility Program?

The International Mobility Program (IMP) is for Canadian employers who want to hire a temporary foreign worker without having to go through the Labour Market Impact Assessment. They pay a $230 compliance fee and apply through the IRCC’s Employer Portal.

What immigration options are available for refugees and asylum seekers in Canada?

Canada offers two options for those seeking protection. Resettled refugees come to Canada from abroad through special resettlement programs. Asylum seekers, already in Canada, can claim protection determined by the Refugee Board. Both groups can access crucial public services.

Can refugees become new permanent residents in Canada?

Yes, refugees can become permanent residents in Canada. Refugee resettlement programs allow both government-sponsored and privately sponsored refugees to become legal permanent residents, often after the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) approves their refugee claim. The Canadian government offers a welcoming immigration policy, so that those who struggle can become a key component of the resident population and enjoy a better life.

What is the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada?

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is a separate administrative tribunal that is responsible for approving or denying refugee claimants made from within Canada. However, the Refugee Board doesn’t approve or deny private or government-assisted refugees. These refugees are selected and processed overseas by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), contributing to a notable population growth.

Do you receive permanent resident status on a temporary foreign worker program in Canada?

No, temporary foreign workers don’t become permanent residents, but they can transition to permanent residency. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) gives temporary immigrants work permits. You are there to fill labor shortages for a short time, and leave the country after the work permit ends. Many temporary foreign workers are able to become permanent residents through economic immigration via Express Entry, Startup Visa, PNPs, etc.

What are the most common reasons for Canada immigration rejection?

The government of Canada can reject immigrants for many reasons. But the most common causes for rejection include a lack of language proficiency in French or English, failure to meet the requirements for work permits (for skilled workers), a previous history of illegal immigration, or high demand. For example, work permits and study visas often face longer queues due to too much immigration applications. In cases such as these, you may be rejected.