Canada Permanent Residency Visa
We will tell you if you qualify for Immigration to Canada under Express Entry
Canada Permanent Residency Visa
Plan your move to Canada with a clear understanding of your options. Start by understanding which permanent residence pathway may suit your qualifications, work experience and family plans.
Nexus Migration helps you understand Canada PR requirements, organise your documents and plan the next steps in your application journey. Whether you are exploring Express Entry or a provincial pathway, begin with a review of your individual profile.
What is Canadian permanent residence
Canadian permanent residence is an immigration status that allows someone who is not a Canadian citizen to make Canada their home. Permanent residents can generally live, work and study across Canada, subject to applicable laws and any requirements relevant to their immigration pathway. PR status is different from a temporary visitor visa, study permit or work permit. [1]
People often call it a "Canada PR visa." If your application is approved while you are outside Canada, IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and, where required, a permanent resident visa. You must then complete the required confirmation or arrival steps to become a permanent resident. [2]
What Canada PR can offer you
Employment flexibility
Work in Canada without an employer-specific work permit, subject to professional licensing and restrictions on certain positions. [1]
Study opportunities
Pursue education in Canada; admission requirements and fees depend on the institution and programme.
Health coverage
Access provincial or territorial public health coverage when you meet the relevant eligibility and residence requirements. [1]
Legal protections
Benefit from protections under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. [1]
Family planning
Eligible spouses, partners and dependent children may be included in an application, subject to the programme's rules. [3, 4]
A possible route to citizenship
Apply for Canadian citizenship later if you meet its separate requirements. [5]
Main pathways to Canada permanent residence
Canada offers several immigration routes. The appropriate option depends on your circumstances and the programme's current requirements and availability.
Express Entry [6]
Express Entry is the online system used to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programmes. Eligible candidates enter a pool and are ranked; an invitation is required before submitting an Express Entry PR application.
Federal Skilled Worker Program [7]
Suits applicants with qualifying work experience gained outside Canada. Minimum requirements: at least 1 continuous year of paid skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) within 10 years, qualifying education, language results, and at least 67 points on the 100-point selection grid.
Canadian Experience Class [8]
For applicants with at least one year of qualifying Canadian skilled work experience within the previous three years while authorised to work. Experience during full-time study generally does not count.
Federal Skilled Trades Program [9]
Requires at least two years of qualifying paid experience in an eligible skilled trade during the previous five years, plus a qualifying 1-year job offer or Canadian trade certificate of qualification.
Provincial Nominee Program [10]
Participating provinces nominate candidates meeting local economic needs. An accepted Express Entry nomination adds 600 CRS points. Candidates must genuinely intend to settle in the nominating province.
Atlantic Immigration Program [11, 12]
Supports settlement in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Requires a qualifying offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
Rural and Francophone community pathways [13, 14]
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot support settlement in participating communities with eligible job offers and community recommendation.
Family sponsorship and other routes [15]
Eligible sponsors may help a spouse, partner or dependent child become a permanent resident. Parent and grandparent sponsorship has separate intake rules and is currently marked paused by IRCC.
Canada PR eligibility
There is no single age limit, points score or document checklist covering every Canadian PR programme. An assessment should connect your background to the requirements of a specific route.
- Age: Affects points-based selection and competitiveness. [6-10]
- Education: Completed qualifications and assessed Canadian equivalency (ECA).
- Work experience: Actual duties, NOC classification, dates, hours and supporting evidence.
- Language ability: Valid results from an approved English or French test.
- Settlement funds: Evidence of accessible funds when required by your programme.
- Other connections: Canadian work/study, family, qualifying job offer or provincial nomination.
- Admissibility: Medical, criminality and security clearances.
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, 67 out of 100 is an eligibility threshold to enter the pool, not an invitation score or approval guarantee. After entering Express Entry, candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). [7]
Language tests and education assessments
Approved tests for Express Entry: IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and IELTS One Skill Retake are NOT accepted. Results must be less than 2 years old at profile completion and PR submission. [16]
| Express Entry programme | Minimum language benchmark |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four English abilities, or NCLC 7 for French |
| Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1) | CLB or NCLC 7 in all four abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2 or 3) | CLB or NCLC 5 in all four abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB or NCLC 5 in speaking & listening; 4 in reading & writing |
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): An ECA establishes the Canadian equivalency of foreign qualifications. Required for FSW principal applicants or claiming education points. Providers include WES and designated professional bodies. Must be less than 5 years old. [17]
Understanding your CRS score
The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks eligible Express Entry candidates based on age, education, language results, Canadian experience, spouse factors, and skill transferability. Additional points exist for French ability, Canadian study, siblings in Canada, or provincial nomination. [18, 30]
Express Entry categories in 2026
IRCC's published selection categories include: [21, 29]
- French-language proficiency (requires NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities)
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
Current rules generally require at least 12 months of eligible experience in one listed NOC within the preceding 3 years (in Canada or abroad). [21]
How to apply for Canada PR
Identify a route fitting your qualifications, NOC, language score and settlement plans.
Take approved test (IELTS/PTE/CELPIP) and obtain ECA credential evaluation. [16, 17]
Create accurate Express Entry profile or submit provincial EOI. [6, 10]
Keep profile updated while waiting for CRS selection draw or nomination. [6, 23]
An Express Entry ITA gives 60 days to submit complete forms, evidence and fees. [23]
Provide biometrics and panel medical examination evidence when instructed. [24]
Upon approval, travel with valid CoPR documents to complete official landing in Canada. [2]
Canada PR fees and other costs (CAD)
Federal fees checked against IRCC rates effective April 2026: [25, 28]
| Fee item | Amount in CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant processing fee | $990 CAD |
| Right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) per adult | $600 CAD |
| Principal applicant total including both fees | $1,590 CAD |
| Accompanying spouse or partner total | $1,590 CAD |
| Accompanying dependent child | $270 CAD per child |
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 CAD |
| Biometrics family maximum | $170 CAD |
Settlement funds for Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants need proof of funds. CEC applicants and authorized workers with valid job offers are exempt. [26]
| Family size | Minimum funds in CAD |
|---|---|
| 1 Person (Single Applicant) | $15,263 CAD |
| 2 Family Members | $19,001 CAD |
| 3 Family Members | $23,360 CAD |
| 4 Family Members | $28,362 CAD |
| 5 Family Members | $32,168 CAD |
| 6 Family Members | $36,280 CAD |
| 7 Family Members | $40,392 CAD |
| Each additional person above 7 | +$4,112 CAD |
How long does Canada PR take
There is no single processing time for every Canadian PR application. Your journey may include language preparation, credential assessment, waiting for an invitation or nomination, and then federal application processing.
An IRCC processing estimate is not a promise covering this entire journey. Programme capacity, application completeness, verification and responses to document requests can affect the time needed. Provincial selection and federal processing may be separate stages. [10, 24]
Use IRCC's live processing-time tool for the relevant application category and review your preparation and invitation-waiting time separately. Nexus Migration can help you organise the stages and understand which deadlines need your attention. [32]
Bringing your family to Canada
Depending on your pathway, an eligible spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be included in your PR application. Family members have their own documentation and examination requirements. [3, 23]
A dependent child is generally under 22 and neither married nor in a common-law relationship. An older child may qualify where the specific financial dependency and physical or mental condition requirements are met. Age assessment dates and continuing eligibility rules depend on the application. [4]
For couples considering Express Entry, both profiles are worth reviewing. Language results, education and Canadian work experience of an accompanying spouse or partner can affect the calculation. [18]
Maintaining PR and planning for citizenship
Permanent residents generally need at least 730 days in Canada within a five-year period to meet the residency obligation. The days do not need to be consecutive, and limited exceptions can allow some time abroad to count. An expired PR card does not automatically end PR status. [1]
Citizenship is a separate application. Adult applicants generally need at least 1,095 days of physical presence during the five-year eligibility period, along with the other applicable requirements, including tax filing, language and knowledge requirements where relevant. Becoming a permanent resident does not automatically provide citizenship or a Canadian passport. [5]
How Nexus Migration supports your Canada PR journey
Preparing for immigration involves more than completing forms. You need to understand your options, collect evidence and stay aware of what each stage requires. Our support begins with your circumstances and the service scope agreed with you:
Profile review
Discuss your qualifications, experience, language results and family plans.
Pathway explanation
Understand the requirements of potentially suitable routes and the preparation they involve.
Document coordination
Organise the evidence needed and identify outstanding items.
Language & ECA guidance
Understand the relevant test and credential-assessment requirements.
Application preparation support
Work through the agreed preparation stages and document checks.
Ongoing communication
Understand requests, upcoming deadlines and the next steps relevant to your case.
Before you begin, ask us to explain the service scope, applicable charges and who will be responsible for any regulated immigration advice or representation. A careful assessment helps you make an informed decision about whether and when to proceed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for Canada PR while living in Dubai or elsewhere outside Canada?
Do I need a Canadian job offer?
What is the difference between 67 points and CRS?
Can I apply after the age of 40?
Can I use PTE for Express Entry?
Do I need both English and French?
Does working in a priority occupation guarantee PR?
How long can an Express Entry profile stay in the pool?
Will my ECA allow me to work immediately in a regulated profession?
Can I move to Quebec through Express Entry?
Can Nexus Migration guarantee an invitation or PR approval?
Can I apply without using a consultant?
How Express Entry Works
Swiftly immigrate to Canada via Express Entry, meeting criteria for permanent residency through Economic Programs.
Express Entry Eligibility
Canada’s Economic Immigration Programs, like Express Entry, speed up residency. Online profiles, expert help enhance applications.
Comprehensive Ranking System
Express Entry uses CRS to rank skilled candidates based on education, work, and language. Consultants optimize profiles.
Improve Your CRS Score
Essential for Canada immigration. Create online profile for Invitation to Apply, boosting residency chances.
Invitation To Apply (ITA)
IRCC gives ITAs to Entry candidates, a step toward Canadian immigration goals. Get expert guidance for PR.
Post - Invitation To Apply (ITA)
IRCC issues ITAs based on CRS scores to Express Entry Pool candidates. ITA is digitally sent per profiles.
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