North America · Outside Schengen · Single procedure
Moving to Canada
The complete guide to Canadian federal immigration. Canada selects on profile — points, language, experience — and applies the same procedure to all nationalities.
4
Visas covered
~6 months
Express Entry (after ITA)
Jul. 2026
Updated
Free · Results in 3 minutes
Overview
Canada — immigration by profile, not by nationality.
Canada's federal system, run by IRCC, ranks candidates on objective criteria: age, education, language, experience. All nationalities follow the same procedure.
1,200 pts
Maximum CRS score
IRCC
Federal administration
French
Major asset
Express Entry is the main gateway to permanent residence: a pool of candidates, a score (CRS), invitation rounds. French is a powerful lever — French-language draws have lower cutoffs. For a temporary stay, the work permit (LMIA) and the study permit also lead, in time, to residence through Canadian experience.
Which visa for your situation in Canada?
Free assessment · Results in 3 minutes · No commitment
Canada or Québec?
Two immigration systems, distinct from each other.
Québec selects its own immigrants — a singularity within Canada. Depending on your destination province, the procedure is not the same.
Canada (outside Québec)
You go directly through the federal system: Express Entry, study or work permits, managed by IRCC. One administration, one selection. That's what this page covers.
Québec selects first through its own ministry (MIFI) and issues a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). The federal government only steps in afterward, for permanent residence. Two stages, two administrations.
Exception: the Working Holiday permit (IEC) is a federal program that applies across Canada, including Québec.
Available visas and permits
The main visas we support.
Click a permit to see the requirements, required documents, timelines, and practical tips. Each of these visas comes with full guidance in your nomadpass space.
EE
Express Entry — Skilled worker
Permanent residence · points system (CRS)
All nationalitiesSelective
›
Timeline
~6 months of processing after the invitation (ITA)
Cost
~CAD 1,525 + CAD 85 biometrics
Status obtained
Permanent residence
Selection
CRS score (max 1,200 pts) · invitation rounds
Selection is based on score, with no guarantee of an invitation. A provincial nomination adds +600 points — the most powerful lever in the system.
French earns substantial points and opens the French-language draws, with lower cutoffs.
ETU
Study permit (outside Québec)
Designated learning institution · all nationalities
All nationalitiesModerate
›
Timeline
Varies by country — weeks to a few months
Cost
CAD 150 + CAD 85 biometrics
Required funds
CAD 22,895 in living expenses (+ tuition + travel)
After graduation
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP), a path to residence
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is required — except for master's and doctoral programs at public institutions since January 2026.
To study in Québec, the procedure is different: a CAQ is required beforehand — see the Québec guide.
TRV
Work permit with a job offer (LMIA)
Closed permit tied to an employer · via the TFWP
All nationalitiesEmployer required
›
Timeline
LMIA (weeks to months) + permit processing
Cost
CAD 155 + CAD 85 biometrics
Type
Closed permit — tied to one employer, one position, one location
Toward residence
Canadian experience (CEC) opens Express Entry
The employer obtains the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from ESDC and bears the cost. Without a positive LMIA — or an exemption — no permit.
Ages 18–30 or 35 and 1–2 years — depending on your country's agreement
Type
Open permit — work for almost any employer
The Working Holiday depends on a bilateral agreement with your country: not every country has access, and invitations are issued by draw.
A federal program: it applies across Canada, including Québec.
This list presents the main permits, which cover the vast majority of relocation situations. It is not exhaustive: other specific routes exist (provincial programs, LMIA exemptions) with the country's official authorities.
Not sure which permit to choose?
Our assessment identifies the right visa in 3 minutes
Competent authorities
The official bodies for your procedure.
Canadian immigration is federal, with a key role for the provinces in certain programs.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Issues the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a prerequisite for the work permit with a job offer.
Provincial governments
The provinces nominate candidates through their programs (PNP) — a nomination is worth +600 points in Express Entry. Québec has its own selection system.
Regulatory news
Recent changes to Canada's immigration rules.
2026
No major regulatory change flagged for Canada in 2026 — sheets are continuously checked against official sources.
Info
By project
Your situation, your visa.
Select your profile to access the detailed guides.
4 visas and permits are covered for Canada, including Express Entry — Skilled worker · Study permit (outside Québec) · Work permit with a job offer (LMIA). The free assessment identifies the one that fits your situation in 3 minutes.
How long does it take to get a visa for Canada?
From 4 weeks to about 8 months depending on the visa. For example, Express Entry — Skilled worker: ~6 months of processing after the invitation (ITA).
How much does a visa for Canada cost?
Official fees depend on the visa. For example, Express Entry — Skilled worker: ~CAD $1,525 (processing $950 + right of permanent residence fee $575) + biometrics $85.
Is the information on Canada up to date?
Yes: every sheet cites its official sources (IRCC — Express Entry, IRCC — Federal Skilled Workers, IRCC — Immigration fees) and carries a verification date. Last verified: 2026-10-06.
