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Pathways to Canadian Residency and Citizenship

Canada

Canada is a top English-speaking destination with well-defined routes for skilled workers, graduates, and families, many leading to permanent residence and then citizenship. Canada allows dual nationality.

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Ways to qualify

Career & business

For people with a job offer, in-demand skills, or a business to build. Most of these routes lead to settlement, and in time to citizenship.

Canada Skilled Worker Permanent Residence Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker route is for skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience who meet Canada's points and selection… residency Canada Experience-Based Permanent Residence Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience. It generally requires eligible work… residency Canada Permanent Residence for Doctors Canada has doctor-focused permanent-residence support through Express Entry, provincial nomination, and faster work-permit processing for nominated… residency Canada Provincial Nominee Residence This Canadian residence pathway is for people whose skills, work history, job offer, or local ties match a province or territory's needs. It generally… residency Canada Atlantic Permanent Residence The Atlantic Immigration Program is a permanent-residence route for skilled workers and recent Atlantic Canada graduates with a job offer from a… residency Canada U.S.-Mexico Professional Work Permit Canada's CUSMA professional route is for U.S. or Mexican citizens in listed professions who have a qualifying Canadian professional role. It generally… residency Canada Quebec Skilled Worker Residence Quebec's skilled-worker selection route is for people whose profile fits Quebec's labor and integration priorities. It generally requires qualifying… residency Canada Skilled Trades Permanent Residence Express Entry's Federal Skilled Trades route is for people with qualifying skilled-trade experience. It generally requires trade experience, language… residency Canada Employer-Specific Work Permit Canada's employer-specific work permit is the main temporary work route for people with a Canadian job offer. It usually ties the worker to a specific… residency Canada Quebec Business Permanent Residence Quebec business immigration covers investor, entrepreneur, and self-employed worker routes for applicants who want to settle in Quebec and build, buy,… residency Canada Start-up Visa Program This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Canada. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough… residency Canada Permanent Residence for Self-Employed Canada's Self-Employed Persons Program is a permanent-residence route for certain cultural workers and athletes with qualifying experience. IRCC has… residency

Family

For joining a partner, parent, or child who already lives there — or claiming citizenship through marriage.

Canada Permanent Residence for Partners Canada spouse or partner sponsorship is for Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for… residency Canada Permanent Residence for Children Canadian dependent child sponsorship is for a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian sponsoring a dependent child for permanent… residency Canada Parent and Grandparent Super Visa Canada's super visa lets eligible parents and grandparents visit a Canadian child or grandchild for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries… other Canada Residence for Parents or Grandparents Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program can let Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residence,… residency Canada Permanent Residence for Other Family Canada allows sponsorship of certain other relatives only in very narrow situations, such as orphaned minor siblings, nieces, nephews, or… residency

Ancestry & heritage

A parent, grandparent, or birth in the country can make you a citizen already — or let you claim it, often without relocating.

Canadian Citizenship by Descent Canadian citizenship by descent may apply to people born outside Canada through a Canadian biological parent or a Canadian legal parent at birth. The… citizenship Canadian Citizenship by Birth in Canada This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Canada or in another qualifying birth situation connected… citizenship Canadian Citizenship by Adoption Canadian citizenship by adoption may apply if you were born outside Canada and legally adopted by a parent who was Canadian at the time, including… citizenship

Study

Routes to study there, and often to stay on and work after you graduate.

Canada Study-to-Permanent-Residence Path This residence pathway is for students or graduates who want to turn study in Canada into a longer-term stay. It generally requires an eligible study… residency Canada Study Permit Canada's study permit is for international students accepted to a designated Canadian learning institution. It can allow temporary residence while… residency

Citizenship by residence

Once you've lived there long enough and settled, you can often apply to become a citizen.

Canadian Citizenship After Residence This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of Canada. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,… citizenship

Other routes

Nationality-specific schemes and special cases.

Canada French-Speaking Community Residence Canada's Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a permanent-residence route for French-speaking skilled workers with a job offer from a designated… residency Canada Rural Community Permanent Residence Canada's Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a permanent-residence route for skilled workers with a job offer from a designated employer in one of… residency Canada Permanent Residence for Hong Kongers Canada's Hong Kong public-policy pathway is a time-limited permanent-residence route for eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada, through either… residency Canada Youth Mobility Work Permit Canada does not have a standard bilateral IEC working-holiday agreement for U.S. citizens, but some recognized organizations can support a limited… residency Canada Residence for Former State-Care Youth Canada has a temporary public-policy permanent-residence pathway for certain foreign nationals in Canada who came as children, were under state care,… residency