Planning to settle permanently in Canada? Canadian permanent residence (PR) may be available through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), family sponsorship and other eligible pathways. The appropriate route depends on your qualifications, language ability, work experience, family circumstances and program-specific requirements. Peerless Immigration Services can help you assess your options, understand documentation requirements and prepare an application strategy. Eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant Canadian authorities.
Planning to Immigrate to Canada in 2026?
Canada uses immigration programs to address economic and demographic priorities while supporting family reunification and humanitarian commitments. Immigration targets are planning figures, not a guarantee of admission or an invitation to apply.
Under the Government of Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, planned permanent resident admissions are:
- 2026: 380,000 permanent residents
- 2027: 380,000 permanent residents
- 2028: 380,000 permanent residents
The plan includes economic, family reunification, refugee and humanitarian categories. Individual program openings, selection criteria and invitation rounds may change. Source: IRCC 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Pathways to Get Canada PR Visa
Canada has several permanent residence pathways. The main options below have different eligibility criteria, and some require a nomination, qualifying job offer, sponsorship or an invitation to apply.
- Express Entry: Manages applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Eligible candidates enter a pool and may receive an invitation based on the applicable selection rules.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Provinces and territories nominate candidates who meet their program criteria; streams and availability vary by jurisdiction.
- Family Sponsorship: Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor certain family members, subject to the applicable requirements.
- Quebec-selected skilled workers: Quebec selects eligible economic immigrants under its own immigration programs; federal admissibility and permanent residence processing also apply.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: An employer-driven pathway for eligible skilled workers and international graduates who meet program conditions.
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Community-based pathways for eligible candidates, generally requiring a qualifying job offer from a designated employer and other program criteria.
- Other specialized pathways: Certain caregiver, business, refugee and humanitarian categories may be available subject to their individual intake rules and eligibility requirements.
Important: Older pathways such as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Atlantic Immigration Pilot and temporary resident-to-permanent resident public policy should not be treated as generally open application streams. Always verify the current status of the specific program before applying. Explore IRCC immigration programs.
Benefits of Canada PR Visa
Canadian permanent residents generally have the right to live, work and study in Canada, subject to applicable laws and residency obligations. They may also:
- Access eligible public health coverage and social benefits, subject to provincial or territorial rules.
- Apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the applicable residence and other citizenship requirements.
- Receive legal protections under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Travel using a valid PR card or other appropriate travel documentation, subject to entry requirements.
Permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections, and certain jobs requiring high-level security clearance may be restricted. To maintain PR status, most permanent residents must meet the residency obligation of at least 730 days in Canada during the relevant five-year period, subject to rules allowing some time outside Canada to count.
Canada PR Visa Processing Time
Canada PR processing times depend on the immigration program, completeness of the application, verification requirements and IRCC's workload. Published estimates are not guarantees and may change.
- IRCC generally measures processing from receipt of a complete application until a decision is made.
- For online applications, the period generally begins when the complete application is submitted; for paper applications, when it reaches IRCC's mailroom.
- Express Entry profile creation and waiting for an invitation are separate from the processing of a permanent residence application.
For current estimates, consult the official IRCC processing-time tool and select the relevant application category.
List of Documents Required for Canada PR Visa
Documents depend on the immigration pathway and your personal circumstances. Depending on the program, applicants may need:
- Passport
- Approved language test results, such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada, as applicable
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials where required, or evidence of Canadian education
- Provincial Nomination (if received)
- Proof of settlement funds where required by the immigration program
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Certificate
- Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada (if applicable)
- Digital photos
- Proof of name difference
- Employment records, police certificates, medical examinations, biometrics and other documents when required
Check Your Eligibility
Canada PR Visa Processing Cost/ Fees
IRCC charges government processing fees according to the immigration category and family composition. The following amounts are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and reflect the permanent residence fee schedule effective 30 April 2026. Additional charges, including biometrics and third-party document costs, may apply.
| Application category | Applicant / fee type | Government fee (CAD) |
|---|
| Right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) | Principal applicant or accompanying spouse / partner, where applicable | $600 |
| Federal High Skilled (including Express Entry), PNP, Quebec skilled workers, Atlantic Immigration and most economic pilots | Principal applicant: processing fee | $990 |
| Accompanying spouse / common-law partner: processing fee | $990 |
| Accompanying dependent child: processing fee | $270 |
| Business immigration (federal and Quebec) | Principal applicant: processing fee | $1,895 |
| Accompanying spouse / common-law partner: processing fee | $990 |
| Accompanying dependent child: processing fee | $270 |
| Family reunification | Sponsorship fee | $90 |
| Sponsored principal applicant: processing fee | $570 |
| Sponsored dependent child (principal applicant under 22, not a spouse / partner) | $90 |
| Accompanying spouse / partner: processing fee | $660 |
| Accompanying dependent child: processing fee | $180 |
| Protected persons; humanitarian and compassionate / public policy applications | Principal applicant: processing fee | $660 |
| Accompanying spouse / common-law partner: processing fee | $660 |
| Accompanying dependent child: processing fee | $180 |
| Permit holders class | Principal applicant: processing fee | $390 |
Example: For one principal applicant in the Federal High Skilled category, the processing fee is CAD $990 and the RPRF is CAD $600, totalling CAD $1,590 when both apply. The RPRF generally does not apply to dependent children and certain exempt applicants. Fees may change; check the official IRCC fee schedule before making a payment.
If you have any questions or concerns about obtaining a Canadian Permanent Residence Visa, please contact us at info@peerlessimmigration.com, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you. You can also reach us at +91-8595010514.
FAQ
There is no single easiest route to Canadian permanent residence. Express Entry may suit applicants who meet a federal economic immigration program’s requirements and have a competitive profile. Other applicants may qualify through a Provincial Nominee Program, family sponsorship or a specialized pathway. Eligibility, invitation thresholds and intake availability vary.
Canada accepts immigrants in three categories: economic, family sponsorship, and refugee and humanitarian.
To maintain Canada’s high level of living, skilled workers are welcomed under the economic system. The majority of immigrants that Canada accepts are skilled professionals due to its ageing population and low birth rate. These qualified workers are essential for Canada’s labor force and economic expansion. These qualified individuals come with a strong work ethic, work experience, education, and language skills. Therefore, they are essential to Canada’s efforts to fund social services like universal health care and education as well as economic growth.
The second-largest immigrant class enters the country with the help of Family Sponsorship. Strong families are the foundation of Canadian society and the country’s economy, therefore it is only fitting that loved ones of citizens and permanent residents are welcomed here. Enabling immediate family members to settle in Canada gives families the emotional support they require to prosper in the society and economy of the nation.
The third-largest class is admitted both for humanitarian reasons and as refugees. Since the end of World War II, Canada has a long history of exemplifying humanitarian leadership. As one of the world’s most fortunate countries, Canada has a moral obligation to give refuge to individuals suffering persecution and other hardships.
Yes, international graduates may become eligible for permanent residence through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program or another suitable pathway, but graduation alone does not guarantee eligibility. The Canadian Experience Class generally requires at least 1,560 hours of eligible paid skilled work in Canada during the three years before applying; work gained while a full-time student generally does not count for that class. Other programs have different requirements.
The Canadian Experience Class generally requires at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of qualifying paid skilled work experience in Canada within the 3 years before you apply. The work must meet the eligible NOC TEER requirements and generally be performed while authorized to work in Canada. Full-time study work and most self-employment do not count, subject to limited exceptions. You must also meet the applicable language and other eligibility requirements.
Yes. A job offer is not required for the Canadian Experience Class and is not generally required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, although some program-specific eligibility rules may consider arranged employment. Since 25 March 2025, Express Entry no longer awards additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points simply for having a job offer. A job offer may still be required for certain immigration pathways.
Candidates without a job offer may still be eligible for Express Entry, depending on their work experience, education, language proficiency, age and other criteria. Provincial and community-based pathways may have different job-offer requirements. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee an invitation or approval.
For Express Entry, applicants whose primary occupation is specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100), specialist in surgery (NOC 31101), or general practitioner / family physician (NOC 31102) must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for their primary medical diploma from the Medical Council of Canada. Professional licensing to practise medicine is a separate requirement.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the three immigration programs managed through Express Entry. Applicants may qualify under another Express Entry program depending on their circumstances; having no Canadian connections does not automatically mean FSWP is the only option.
To meet the FSWP selection-factor threshold, you generally need at least 67 out of 100 points based on factors such as language, education, work experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability. This 67-point threshold is different from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score used to rank eligible Express Entry candidates for invitations.
