The main Canada Visa classes featured in this section are those that are available via the Canada Express Entry Program. These include:
These visa classes are Permanent Residency Visas and can lead to full Canadian Citizenship.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s primary economic immigration program and provides the opportunity to live permanently in Canada. You can express your interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online express entry profile.
Based on the information in your Express Entry an applicant receives a CRS score you will receive a score which indicates their position (or ranking) against other candidates. CRS scores are not fixed, and candidates can take active steps to improve their pool placements in Express Entry.
While the CRS Score for Express Entry fluctuates regularly. The Canadian Government draws candidates out of the Express Entry pool according to their economic and political requirements.
However, there is another important score which needs to be considered.
Any Invitation to Apply issued to an applicant in respect of a Federal Skilled Visa must be able to score at least 67 Points on the Federal Skills Worker Program.
The IRCC determines eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program based on its unique scorecard.
To apply for the Federal Specialist Workers Program, a potential candidate must achieve at least 67 points on the 100-point grid of the program.
Federal Skilled Worker points are calculated as follows:
Education Points for the Federal Skilled Worker Visa
| Level of Education | Points (25 max) |
|---|---|
| Doctoral (PhD) level | 25 points |
Master’s level or professional degree. Occupation related to the degree must be:
Also, Degree program must be in one of the following academic disciplines: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic Medicine, or Pharmacy. |
23 points |
| Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 22 points |
| Three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 21 points |
| Two-year post-secondary credential | 19 points |
| One-year post-secondary credential | 15 points |
| Secondary school/high school diploma | 5 points |
Language Points for the Federal Skilled Worker Visa
| Proficiency | IELTS score equivalence | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First Official Language | ||
| CLB Level 9 or higher
(Initial Advanced) |
IELTS Listening 8 or above
IELTS Reading 7 or above IELTS Speaking 7 or above IELTS Writing 7 or above |
6 points per ability |
| CLB Level 8
(Fluent Intermediate) |
IELTS Listening 7.5
IELTS Reading 6.5 IELTS Speaking 6.5 IELTS Writing 6.5 |
5 points per ability |
| CLB Level 7
(Adequate Intermediate) |
IELTS Listening 6
IELTS Reading 6 IELTS Speaking 6 IELTS Writing 6 |
4 points per ability |
| Below CLB Level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
| Maximum points for first official language | 24 points | |
| Second Official Language | ||
| CLB 5 and above | 4 points for all language abilities | |
| Maximum | 4 points | |
Work Experience Points for Federal Skilled Work Visa
| Work Experience | Points (15 max) |
|---|---|
| 1 year (at least one year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total) | 9 points |
| 2-3 years | 11 points |
| 4-5 years | 13 points |
| 6 years or more | 15 points |
Age Points for Federal Skilled Worker Visa
| Age of Applicant | Points (12 max) |
|---|---|
| 18 to 35 | 12 points |
| 36 | 11 points |
| 37 | 10 points |
| 38 | 9 points |
| 39 | 8 points |
| 40 | 7 points |
| 41 | 6 points |
| 42 | 5 points |
| 43 | 4 points |
| 44 | 3 points |
| 45 | 2 points |
| 46 | 1 points |
| 47 and over | 0 points |
Arranged Employment in Canada
| If the applicant is currently working in Canada on a work permit, | and |
|
10 |
If the applicant is currently working in Canada in a job that is LMIA-exempt because of the following:
|
and |
|
10 |
| If the applicant does not hold a valid work permit and is not authorized to work in Canada. | and |
|
10 |
| If the applicant holds a valid work permit or is otherwise authorized to work in Canada without a work permit | and |
|
Adaptability Points for Federal Skills Visa Applications
| Adaptability | Points (10 max) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant’s previous work in Canada (minimum one (1) year of full-time work in Canada in an occupation classified as Skill Type 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification – NOC) | 10 points |
| Principal applicant’s past studies in Canada (minimum two (2) academic years of full-time* study in an at least two year long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). | 5 points |
| Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s past studies in Canada (minimum two (2) academic years of full-time* study in an at least two year long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). | 5 points |
| Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s past work in Canada (minimum one (1) year of full-time work in Canada while on a valid work permit or with authorization to work) | 5 points |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 5 points |
| Principal applicant or spouse/common-law partner have a relative** in Canada. The relative must be living in Canada, 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. | 5 points |
| Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s language ability (English and French language proficiency at CLB 4 level or above in all four language abilities). CLB Level 4 is equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in Writing, 4.5 in Listening, 3.5 in Reading and 4.0 in Speaking). | 5 points |
The IRCC aims to process full applications for qualified workers in six (6) months or less. Find out how long your immigration application will take to process in the Canadian Immigration Processing Times tool.
The Quebec government operates its own Canada Visa immigration system, alongside the federal rapid entry system, and requires qualified workers to apply for permanent residence status or a temporary work permit. Those eligible for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skills Work Program (FSWP) must intend to live in the province of Quebec.
| Application Fee | CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant ($825 processing fee + $500 right of permanent residence fee) | $1,325 |
| Spouse or common-law partner ($825 processing fee + $500 right of permanent residence fee) | $1,325 |
| A dependant child of the principal applicant who is under 22 and is not a spouse or common-law partner, or is 22 or older who has been unable to be financially self-supporting since before the age of 22, due to a physical or mental condition | $225 per child |
The following Occupations are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Permanent Residency Canada Visa provided they have the required CRS Points and at least 67 points on the FSW Points grid.
Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST Canada Visa candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation.
Federal Skilled Trades applicants are not required to do an Educational Credential Assessment.
Candidates must have either an offer of employment in their skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority such as Red Seal.
The FSTP allows persons with valid work offers and qualifications to obtain permanent residence in a Canadian province or territory (except Quebec).
To qualify for a Federal Skilled Trades Visa applicants must:
A certificate of qualification proves that a skilled trades FST applicant has the right skills, experience and qualifications to work in a skilled trade occupation in Canada.
This equivalency process is most usually undertaken by a Red Seal Challenge in the Canadian Province of Choice.
With this certificate of qualification, their foreign trades qualifications are now recognized officially in Canada.
Therefore either securing a Job Offer or making a successful Red Seal challenge will push an application through Express Entry to Invitation to Apply status.
| Canada Visa Application Fee | CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant ($825 processing fee + $500 right of permanent residence fee) | $1,325 |
| Spouse or common-law partner ($825 processing fee + $500 right of permanent residence fee) | $1,325 |
| A dependant child of the principal applicant who is under 22 and is not a spouse or common-law partner, or is 22 or older who has been unable to be financially self-supporting since before the age of 22, due to a physical or mental condition | $225 per child |
Canadian temporary workers who wish to live permanently in Canada can attend the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
These individuals have already settled into Canadian society, built important networks in their communities and careers, and gained valuable knowledge, skills, and experience in the fields of business, education, health, and social work.
CEC Canada Visa Candidates must meet the following requirements:
Eligible Candidates must declare their interest in immigrating to Canada, create an online profile for express entry and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
For many international graduates, the Canadian Experience Class is the fastest and easiest way to become a permanent resident. Canadian educational institutions where they have completed their studies can allow them to remain in Canada to obtain their work permit.
Graduates who have worked in a qualified professional or technical field for at least one year may join the Express Entry Pool.
The Canadian Government undertakes to process all Canada Visa applications in Economic Migration classes in as little as six months.
Check your Express Entry eligibility now with our Free Online Canada Visa Assessment. Hand reviewed by an Immigration Specialist