Main Pathways to Immigrate to

Canada (2025)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

1. Economic Immigration

A. Express Entry System (For skilled workers)

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry

Requires language tests (IELTS, CELPIP), education credential assessments (ECA), and relevant work experience.

​

B. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Each province/territory has its own immigration streams. Some are aligned with Express Entry, others are not.
Examples:

• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• British Columbia PNP

• Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

• Manitoba PNP

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) (Nova Scotia, PEI, NB, NL)

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program (separate from Express Entry)

​

C. Start-Up Visa Program

For entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea supported by a designated Canadian investor (venture capital fund, angel investor, or incubator).

​

D. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

For skilled workers who want to live in smaller communities.

​

E. Agri-Food Pilot

For experienced workers in specific agricultural and food-processing industries.

 

F. Home Child Care Provider & Home Support Worker Pilots

Caregivers with experience in childcare or support work for seniors and people with disabilities.

​

G. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

For skilled workers and international graduates from Atlantic Canada provinces. Job offer required.

​

H. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

Helps skilled refugees immigrate through economic programs.

​

2. Family Sponsorship

You can sponsor:

• Spouse/Common-law partner

• Dependent children

• Parents and grandparents (via lottery system)

• Other relatives (in rare cases)

Spouse and child sponsorships are prioritized and relatively faster.

​

 3. Study → Permanent Residency Pathway

Many international students follow this path:

1. Study Permit → Graduate from a Canadian DLI (Designated Learning Institution)

2. Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) – up to 3 years

3. Gain Canadian work experience

4. Apply through Canadian Experience Class, PNPs, or AIP

​

4. Temporary Foreign Worker → PR Pathway

Workers enter on employer-specific or open work permits, then apply for PR via:

• Canadian Experience Class

• PNPs

• Agri-Food Pilot

• Caregiver Pilots

​

5. International Experience Canada (IEC)

For youth (usually 18-35) from select countries to come to Canada on a Working Holiday, Young Professional, or Internship work permit. Can lead to PR.

​

​

6. Humanitarian & Refugee Pathways

• Refugees sponsored by the government (GAR)

• Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR)

• Asylum Seekers in Canada

• Protected Persons in Canada

Also includes Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds (H&C) for those who don’t qualify under other programs but have strong reasons to stay.