Canadian Immigration

Your pathway
to Canada.

Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, work permits, study permits, and family sponsorship. We optimise your CRS score and identify the right PNP stream for your profile.

🍁 RCIC Certified · Licence No. R705748
Immigration Pathways
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Economic Immigration
Canada's two main economic programs for skilled workers seeking permanent residence. Most applicants use both โ€” Express Entry for the federal pool, PNP for a provincial nomination that adds 600 CRS points.
Federal Program

Express Entry

Canada's online system managing three federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Candidates are ranked by CRS score and invited through regular draws.

FSW: 67 points on selection factors, 1-year NOC TEER 0โ€“3 experience
CEC: Canadian work experience required (1 year NOC TEER 0โ€“3)
Category draws: STEM, healthcare, French, trades โ€” often lower CRS cutoffs
Current CRS: Recent general draws 481โ€“490; category draws typically lower
Permanent ResidencePoints-rankedCategory draws
Provincial Program

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Each province nominates candidates who meet its specific economic needs. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points โ€” effectively guaranteeing an ITA from Express Entry. Over 80 PNP streams nationally.

Key provinces: Ontario (OINP), BC (BCPNP), Alberta (AINP), Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Enhanced PNP: Nomination + Express Entry pool = +600 CRS points
Base PNP: Apply directly to province โ€” no EE pool required
NOI: Provinces send Notifications of Interest to eligible EE candidates
+600 CRS pointsProvincialPR outcome
Federal Business

Start-Up Visa Program

For entrepreneurs with a qualifying business idea supported by a designated Canadian organization. Grants permanent residence directly โ€” no points test required.

Designation: Must secure support from VC fund, angel group, or business incubator
Language: CLB 5 minimum across all four abilities
Education: No degree required (but preferred by designated orgs)
Outcome: Permanent residence for founder(s) + qualifying equity stake
Permanent ResidenceNo points testStartup
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Work Permits
Temporary authorization to work in Canada. Canadian work experience boosts your CRS score and opens Canadian Experience Class eligibility โ€” a key step toward permanent residence.
Employer-Specific

LMIA Work Permit

The standard route for skilled workers with a Canadian job offer. The employer obtains a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) proving no suitable Canadian worker was available.

Process: Employer applies for LMIA; worker applies for work permit on approval
Duration: Tied to job offer term โ€” usually 1โ€“2 years, renewable
High-wage LMIA: Stronger pathway; opens CEC eligibility after 1 year
Transition: 1 year skilled Canadian work experience โ†’ CEC eligibility
Employer specificCEC pathwayRenewable
LMIA-Exempt

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Work permits that do not require an LMIA, typically because of a trade agreement, intra-company arrangement, or significant benefit to Canada.

CUSMA / USMCA: For US and Mexican professionals in listed occupations
ICT: Intra-company transfers for executives, managers, specialized knowledge
CETA: EU nationals in eligible categories under Canada-EU Trade Agreement
Significant benefit: Athletes, artists, researchers, religious workers
No LMIA requiredTrade agreementsIntra-company
Open Work Permit

IEC Working Holiday & Open WPs

Work permits not tied to a specific employer. The IEC Working Holiday is the most popular entry point for young skilled workers from eligible countries.

IEC Working Holiday: 18โ€“35 years old, eligible country, up to 2 years
IEC Young Professionals: Must have job offer in NOC TEER 0โ€“3
PGWP: Post-Graduation Work Permit โ€” open WP for international graduates
Spousal OWP: For spouses of certain skilled workers and students
Open โ€” any employerIECPGWP
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Study & Graduate
Canadian study builds CRS points through education and opens access to a Post-Graduation Work Permit โ€” the key bridge from student to permanent resident.
Temporary โ€” Student

Study Permit

For international students enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Canadian education directly improves CRS score through the education factor.

DLI required: Must be enrolled at an approved Canadian institution
SDS stream: Student Direct Stream โ€” faster processing from 14 eligible countries
CRS benefit: Canadian credential adds up to 30 CRS points (2+ year program)
Work rights: On-campus full-time + off-campus up to 24 hrs/week
TemporaryDLI required+30 CRS points
Post-Graduation

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

An open work permit issued after completing a full-time program at a DLI. Duration matches program length up to 3 years. The primary bridge from student to permanent resident.

Duration: Up to 3 years for programs 2 years or longer
Open permit: Work for any employer in any occupation
PR pathway: 1 year PGWP skilled work โ†’ CEC or PNP eligibility
Note: Must apply within 180 days of final transcript/letter of completion
Open WPUp to 3 yearsStudy โ†’ PGWP โ†’ PR
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Family Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members for permanent residence. Sponsorship is a serious financial and legal commitment โ€” we guide you through every requirement.
Family Class

Spousal & Partner Sponsorship

For Canadian citizens and PRs sponsoring their married spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. In-Canada or outland processing available.

In-Canada: Applicant must be physically in Canada; open WP issued pending decision
Outland: Applicant outside Canada; can include visa to enter on PR approval
Processing: ~12 months (Mississauga CPC, in-Canada stream, 2026)
Undertaking: Sponsor must provide financial support for 3 years
Permanent ResidenceIn-Canada / OutlandOpen WP interim
Family Class

Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)

Annual intake program for sponsoring parents and grandparents. Heavily oversubscribed โ€” IRCC uses a lottery to select applicants. Strict income requirements for the sponsor.

Intake: Annual randomized lottery โ€” no guarantee of selection each year
Income: Sponsor must meet LICO threshold for 3+ years
Undertaking: 20-year financial undertaking for parents/grandparents
Alternative: Super Visa โ€” up to 5 years per visit, multiple-entry, no PR
Permanent ResidenceAnnual lotterySuper Visa alternative
Family Class

Dependent Children

Canadian citizens and PRs can include dependent children in their own PR applications or sponsor them separately. Age lock-in applies at time of application.

Dependent: Under 22 years old, not married or common-law
Over 22: Eligible if financially dependent on parent due to physical/mental condition
Age lock: Age assessed at application, not at landing
Included: Can be included in parent's economic PR application at no extra sponsorship fee
Permanent ResidenceUnder 22Age lock-in

How the CRS score works.

Your Comprehensive Ranking System score determines your position in the Express Entry pool. Higher score = earlier invitation. We model your score and identify the fastest route to an ITA.

110

Age

Maximum at 20โ€“29 years. Gradual reduction from 30 to 45.

160

Education

Highest credential held, plus bonus for Canadian credentials.

136

Language (First)

CLB level per skill across reading, writing, listening, speaking.

80

Canadian Work Experience

Up to 5 years of skilled work experience in Canada.

600

Provincial Nomination

Single biggest CRS boost. Effectively guarantees an ITA.

200

Job Offer (TEER 0/1)

Valid employer-specific offer in a senior or management role.

Find out your exact score in under 5 minutes. Calculate My CRS Score โ†’
Canadian Immigration Guides

Expert, RCIC-certified guides for every Canadian immigration pathway.

View all 23 Canadian guides โ†’

How we manage your Canadian application.

01

CRS Assessment

We calculate your exact CRS score, model improvement scenarios, and identify category-based draw eligibility.

02

Profile Strategy

We identify the fastest pathway โ€” EE, PNP stream, or combined โ€” and prepare your Express Entry profile for submission.

03

ITA Response

On invitation, we prepare your full ITA response with all supporting documents within IRCC's 60-day window.

04

PR Application

We manage the complete permanent residence application, biometrics, medicals, and RCMP clearance coordination.

Ready to start your
Canadian journey?

Book a free initial assessment. We'll calculate your CRS score and tell you exactly which pathway gives you the best chance.

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