FAQ Immigration and Refugee

Express Entry is an online application system for skilled immigration. Candidates create a profile and are scored using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on age, education, work experience, language ability, and other factors. The highest-ranked candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence during periodic draws.

Once invited, applicants must submit supporting documents within a specified deadline. Processing times can vary, but many applications are processed in six months or less. Express Entry is competitive, so improving language scores, gaining additional work experience, or obtaining a provincial nomination can increase your CRS score.

PNPs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills and experience needed locally. Each province sets its own eligibility requirements and may target specific occupations or industries. There are two types of PNP streams: those linked to Express Entry and those that operate independently.

An Express Entry-linked PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an invitation for permanent residence. Non-Express Entry PNPs have separate application procedures. Popular PNPs include those from Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Applicants must generally plan to live and work in the nominating province after arrival.

Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring certain relatives to Canada. Eligible relationships include spouses or common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Some programs also allow for sponsoring orphaned siblings, nieces, or nephews under specific conditions.

Sponsors must meet income requirements, agree to financially support the sponsored person for a set period, and ensure they do not need government assistance. Applications typically involve proving the genuineness of the relationship and meeting admissibility requirements. Processing times vary based on the relationship and country of origin.

Refugees must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Canada also accepts certain individuals as protected persons through in-land refugee claims. Each case is assessed individually to ensure compliance with international and Canadian law.

The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hears these claims and decides if protection will be granted. If accepted, applicants may apply for permanent residence. If denied, there may be limited options for appeal or judicial review, depending on the circumstances.

To apply for citizenship, permanent residents must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the past five years. Applicants must also meet language requirements, pass a citizenship test, and have filed taxes for at least three years during the qualifying period. Processing times vary, but most applications take 12–18 months. Citizenship grants full rights, including the ability to hold a Canadian passport and vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections.

This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. Sponsors must meet a minimum income requirement for three consecutive tax years and commit to financially supporting the sponsored relatives for 20 years (10 years in Quebec). Due to high demand, the program often operates through an interest-to-sponsor form followed by invitations to apply. Those not selected can consider the Super Visa, which allows extended stays for up to five years per visit.