Canadian Immigration Program Library
Canada offers dozens of federal, provincial and regional immigration programs, each with its own eligibility rules and application steps. This library explains how the major pathways work, who they suit, and where to find the detailed guidance or official application page for each one.
Immigration programs guides
- Canadian Experience ClassSee how the Canadian Experience Class evaluates Canadian work experience for Permanent Residence.
- Federal Skilled Worker ProgramUnderstand the Federal Skilled Worker Program's points grid and eligibility criteria.
- Federal Skilled Trades ProgramLearn the trade-specific eligibility rules for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Atlantic Immigration ProgramSee how the Atlantic Immigration Program connects employers in Atlantic Canada with skilled workers.
- Rural Community Immigration PilotLearn how the Rural Community Immigration Pilot connects smaller communities with skilled workers.
- Francophone Immigration PathwaysSee how French-speaking candidates can benefit from Canada's francophone immigration initiatives.
- Spousal SponsorshipLearn how to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for Canadian Permanent Residence.
- Parent and Grandparent SponsorshipSee the income and application requirements to sponsor parents or grandparents for Permanent Residence.
- Post-Graduation Work PermitLearn who qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and how it supports Permanent Residence plans.
- Visitor VisaUnderstand what a Canadian visitor visa allows and how it differs from an Electronic Travel Authorization.
- Super VisaLearn how the Super Visa lets parents and grandparents make extended visits to Canada.
- Permanent ResidenceUnderstand what Permanent Residence status means and the pathways available to obtain it.
- Canadian CitizenshipLearn the physical presence and testing requirements for Canadian citizenship applications.
Covered in depth elsewhere on this site
These subjects already have a single canonical page. We link to it rather than publishing a second version.
- Express EntryExpress Entry is the federal application management system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses to select candidates for Permanent Residence under the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class programs, ranking profiles with the Comprehensive Ranking System and inviting the highest scorers to apply.
- Provincial Nominee ProgramThe Provincial Nominee Program lets Canadian provinces and territories nominate candidates who meet local labour market needs for Permanent Residence. Each jurisdiction runs its own streams with distinct eligibility criteria, and a nomination either adds Comprehensive Ranking System points within Express Entry or supports a separate paper-based application.
- Family SponsorshipFamily sponsorship lets Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents sponsor eligible relatives, including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children and parents, for Permanent Residence. Sponsors must meet income and undertaking requirements, and each relationship category has its own eligibility rules and application stream.
- Study PermitA study permit authorizes a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada. It is not a visa itself but is usually issued alongside a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization, and many study permit holders later transition to a Post-Graduation Work Permit or Permanent Residence.
- Open Work PermitAn open work permit allows the holder to work for almost any employer in Canada without a job-specific Labour Market Impact Assessment. It is issued in specific situations, such as to spouses of certain permit or Permanent Residence applicants, Post-Graduation Work Permit holders, and some vulnerable workers.
- Employer-Specific Work PermitAn employer-specific work permit, sometimes called a closed work permit, authorizes work only for the named employer, position and location listed on the permit. Most require a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment or an LMIA exemption before IRCC will issue the permit.
- Labour Market Impact AssessmentA Labour Market Impact Assessment is a document Employment and Social Development Canada issues confirming a Canadian employer's need to hire a foreign worker and that no Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident was available to fill the role. A positive LMIA generally supports an employer-specific work permit application.