Canadian Immigration FAQ

Permanent residence lets a person live, work and study in Canada on a permanent basis while keeping another citizenship. Permanent residents must still meet residency obligations and do not have every right of Canadian citizens.

Express Entry is IRCC’s online system for managing applications under several federal economic immigration programs. Eligible candidates create a profile, enter the pool and may be invited to apply for permanent residence.

Eligible candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System. IRCC conducts invitation rounds and invites candidates according to the rules of each round.

The Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, gives Express Entry candidates points for factors such as age, education, official-language ability, Canadian and foreign work experience, and other recognized factors.

Not every Express Entry program or invitation round requires a job offer. Eligibility depends on the program and your circumstances, so check the current IRCC requirements.

An Invitation to Apply, or ITA, allows an Express Entry candidate to submit a complete permanent residence application within the deadline shown in the invitation.

Yes. If you decline before the deadline and your profile remains eligible and valid, it may return to the pool. There is no guarantee that you will receive another invitation.

Your permanent residence application must be accurate and reflect relevant changes. A change can affect eligibility or CRS points, so review the current IRCC instructions before submitting.

Category-based selection lets IRCC invite eligible Express Entry candidates who meet criteria for a particular category. Categories and requirements can change.

When candidates have the same CRS score at the cut-off, IRCC may use the profile submission date and time to determine who is invited. The tie-break date is published for the round.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is an Express Entry program for eligible skilled workers who meet its minimum requirements, including qualifying work experience.

The Canadian Experience Class is an Express Entry program for eligible skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience who meet the program requirements.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is an Express Entry program for eligible workers with qualifying experience in skilled trades who meet its requirements.

A provincial nomination is issued by a province or territory through a Provincial Nominee Program. Requirements differ by jurisdiction and stream, and some nominations are connected to Express Entry.

Quebec has its own immigration selection system and does not use the federal Provincial Nominee Program. People intending to settle in Quebec should review the applicable Quebec and federal processes.

Some Express Entry applicants must show enough available settlement funds for their family size. IRCC updates the required amounts periodically, so always check the current official table.

An Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA, shows how a completed foreign educational credential compares with a Canadian credential when an ECA is required for immigration purposes.

Yes. Approved language test results have a validity period and must still be valid when required by the Express Entry process.

A permanent resident card is an official document that shows a person has permanent resident status in Canada and is commonly used for commercial travel back to Canada.

No. An expired PR card does not by itself end permanent resident status. PR status continues until it is lost or given up through a process recognized by Canadian immigration law.

A Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or COPR, is an immigration document issued when permanent residence is approved. The person must still complete the applicable process for becoming a permanent resident.

A Permanent Resident Travel Document, or PRTD, may allow an eligible permanent resident outside Canada who does not have a valid PR card to travel to Canada on commercial transportation.

International students may qualify through a federal, provincial or territorial immigration program if they meet the applicable requirements. Studying in Canada does not guarantee permanent residence.

Temporary foreign workers may qualify for a permanent residence pathway if they meet its requirements. Canadian work experience can help in some programs but does not automatically create PR status.

IRCC uses a specific definition based on age, marital or partner status and limited exceptions. Because the applicable rule can depend on timing and circumstances, check the current definition.

Most foreign nationals need authorization to work in Canada, although some activities and situations are exempt from the work-permit requirement.

An employer-specific work permit authorizes work under the conditions printed on the permit, which may include the employer, location and period of employment.

An open work permit allows an eligible person to work for most employers in Canada, subject to the restrictions on the permit and the rules of the open work permit category.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA, is a document an employer may need before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA generally confirms that the position can be filled by a foreign worker under the applicable program.

No. Some work permits are LMIA-exempt, while others require an LMIA. The correct route depends on the worker, employer and type of work.

An LMIA-exempt work permit is issued under a category that does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Other worker and employer requirements may still apply.

Some people in Canada are eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada, while others are not. Eligibility depends on current status and the work-permit category.

Only certain eligible travellers and work-permit categories can use a port-of-entry application process. Confirm eligibility before travelling for this purpose.

Generally, you need authorization to work before starting employment. Limited exceptions may apply, including some maintained-status situations.

An employer-specific permit normally limits you to the employer named on the permit. Changing employers usually requires new work authorization before you start the new job.

An eligible worker may apply to extend or change the conditions of a work permit before it expires, following the current IRCC requirements.

If you apply to extend authorized status before it expires, you may be allowed to remain in Canada under maintained status. Whether you can keep working depends on the application and conditions that apply.

You may lose temporary resident status and work authorization. Restoration may be available in some situations, but you should not assume you can continue working.

Some spouses or partners of workers, students or applicants may qualify for an open work permit, but eligibility depends on the current category and requirements.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit, or PGWP, is an open work permit that may be available to eligible graduates of eligible Canadian programs and institutions.

A person generally cannot receive a second PGWP after already receiving one. Review eligibility carefully before using this one-time opportunity.

A co-op work permit may be required when a work placement or internship is an essential part of an eligible Canadian study program.

The Employer Portal is an online system used by many employers hiring LMIA-exempt foreign workers to submit required employment information and, where applicable, pay the employer compliance fee.

No. A job offer does not by itself guarantee a work permit. The worker and employer must meet the requirements of the applicable work-permit category.

Losing your job does not automatically give you permission to work for another employer. You may remain in Canada while your status is valid, but new work usually requires proper authorization.

The International Mobility Program covers certain LMIA-exempt work permits where the applicable exemption requirements are met.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program generally applies where an employer needs an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker.

It depends on the type and conditions of your work permit. An open work permit may allow multiple employers, while an employer-specific permit normally restricts you.

People who are authorized to work generally need a valid Social Insurance Number for employment and payroll purposes. A SIN does not itself create authorization to work.

A work permit does not automatically provide unrestricted study authorization. Some short studies may be exempt, while longer studies usually require a study permit unless an exemption applies.

Most foreign nationals studying in Canada for more than a short exempt program need a study permit. Limited exemptions exist.

A designated learning institution, or DLI, is a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. DLI status does not mean every program qualifies for every immigration benefit.

Applicants generally need acceptance from an eligible institution and must meet the current study-permit requirements, including financial and admissibility requirements.

A provincial or territorial attestation letter, often called a PAL or TAL, confirms that an applicant is accounted for under the applicable provincial or territorial allocation where required.

No. Some applicants are exempt. The exemptions and rules can change, so check the current IRCC instructions.

A Quebec Acceptance Certificate, or CAQ, is a Quebec immigration document required for many people who want to study in Quebec, subject to applicable exemptions.

Applicants must show enough money for tuition, living expenses and transportation, as applicable. IRCC updates financial requirements, so use the current official figures.

Eligible international students may be allowed to work under the conditions of their study permit. They must continue to meet the applicable study and work conditions.

The permitted off-campus work limit depends on current IRCC rules and whether classes are in session or you are on a scheduled break. Check the current limit before working.

Some eligible students may work full-time during a regularly scheduled break if they meet the applicable conditions before and after the break.

A student generally cannot rely on student off-campus work authorization before the eligible study program has started.

Changing schools can trigger immigration requirements. Follow the current IRCC process before transferring, especially if the change affects study level or permit conditions.

An eligible student can apply to extend a study permit before it expires. The application should show continued eligibility and follow the current IRCC process.

A student who applies to extend authorized temporary status before expiry may remain in Canada under maintained status. Whether the person can continue studying depends on the conditions that apply.

A study permit authorizes study but is not itself a travel document. You may also need a valid temporary resident visa or eTA, depending on nationality and travel method.

A letter of acceptance is issued by an educational institution to confirm admission to a program. IRCC may verify the letter with the institution.

Study-permit holders must comply with applicable conditions, including making reasonable and timely progress toward completing their program where that condition applies.

No. The graduate and the program must meet the applicable PGWP requirements. DLI status alone is not enough.

You may stay only if you continue to hold or obtain valid temporary or permanent status. Graduation by itself does not extend immigration status.

Canadian education may help with some immigration pathways, but there is no automatic transition from student status to permanent residence.

Part-time study may be allowed by your school, but it can affect immigration benefits such as work authorization or PGWP eligibility. Check the consequences before changing your course load.

A program must meet the current PGWP rules for a graduate to qualify. Studying at a DLI does not automatically mean every program is PGWP-eligible.

A spouse or partner may apply for their own temporary status. Eligibility for a work permit or other authorization depends on the current rules and your program and circumstances.

Children accompanying an international student may have options to study in Canada, but the required documents and permits depend on age, location and circumstances.

Many study-permit applicants must give biometrics unless an exemption applies or valid biometrics can be reused under current rules.

Whether you need a temporary resident visa, an eTA or neither depends mainly on nationality, travel document and method of travel. Use the current IRCC entry-document rules.

A temporary resident visa, or TRV, is a travel document placed in a passport that allows a visa-required traveller to travel to a Canadian port of entry and request admission.

An electronic travel authorization, or eTA, is an electronic travel requirement for certain visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air.

No. A visa allows you to seek entry. A border services officer makes the admission decision when you arrive.

The authorized period is determined when you enter Canada and may be shown by a passport stamp, visitor record or other record. If no specific date is given, the general rule may apply.

A visitor record is a document that can show the conditions and expiry date of temporary resident status in Canada. It is not a visa and does not guarantee re-entry after travel.

An eligible visitor can apply to extend temporary resident status before it expires. If approved, IRCC may issue a visitor record with a new expiry date.

A visitor who applies to extend authorized temporary resident status before it expires may generally remain in Canada while the application is decided, subject to the applicable rules.

Visitor status does not normally authorize employment in Canada. You need separate work authorization unless a specific work-permit exemption applies.

Some short courses may be studied without a study permit, but longer study normally requires authorization. Visitor status by itself does not provide general study authorization.

A person with a permanent residence application may still seek temporary entry if they meet the temporary resident requirements. Having a PR application does not guarantee admission as a visitor.

Dual intent means a person may intend to become a permanent resident in the future while also intending to respect the conditions of temporary stay if permanent residence is not yet granted.

A visitor record is not a travel document. Re-entry depends on your passport, visa or eTA requirements and the border officer’s decision.

A letter of invitation is supporting evidence from a person or organization in Canada explaining the purpose and circumstances of a visit. It does not guarantee visa approval.

A super visa is a temporary resident visa designed for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents and has specific eligibility, insurance and financial requirements.

No. A super visa provides visitor status and does not by itself authorize employment in Canada.

Some business visitors can enter for qualifying international business activities without entering the Canadian labour market. The actual activities determine whether a work permit is required.

Transit requirements depend on nationality, travel document and itinerary. Some travellers need a transit visa or eTA even if they do not plan to leave the airport.

A visa’s expiry is different from the expiry of temporary resident status in Canada. You must maintain legal status even if the visa is no longer valid for future travel.

A visa is mainly a travel document used to seek entry to Canada. Status is the legal authority to remain in Canada as a visitor, student, worker or other temporary resident.

Insurance can be mandatory for certain visitor categories and is strongly relevant to travel planning. Check any program-specific insurance requirement before travelling.

Minors travelling alone or with only one parent may need additional consent or custody documents. Border officers may ask questions to protect the child’s safety.

A business visitor comes to Canada for qualifying international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labour market.

Yes. A valid visa does not remove the requirement to satisfy the border officer that you are admissible and meet the conditions for temporary entry.

Some people may apply for restoration within the period allowed by law if they meet the requirements. Restoration is not guaranteed.

Adult applicants generally must have permanent resident status and meet the applicable physical-presence, tax, language and knowledge requirements, subject to exemptions and special rules.

Applicants must meet the physical-presence requirement in the eligibility period set by law. Use IRCC’s current rules and calculator for the exact requirement.

Certain days spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident may count toward citizenship physical presence at a reduced rate, up to the maximum allowed by current law.

Applicants may need to have met Canadian income-tax filing obligations for the required number of years within the eligibility period, where tax filing was required.

Applicants in the age range covered by the language requirement must show the required ability in English or French unless an exemption applies.

Applicants within the age range covered by the knowledge requirement generally must take the citizenship test unless an exemption or accommodation applies.

The test assesses knowledge of Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship using the official study material identified by IRCC.

IRCC may provide another test opportunity or take other steps depending on the case and current process. Follow the instructions you receive.

The citizenship ceremony is the final step for most successful grant applicants, where they take the oath of citizenship and become Canadian citizens.

For most grant applicants, citizenship begins when the oath of citizenship is taken at the ceremony, not simply when the application is approved.

A citizenship certificate is proof of Canadian citizenship. It is not a travel document.

Yes. A Canadian citizen can apply for a replacement citizenship certificate by following the current IRCC process.

Canada permits its citizens to hold another citizenship, but the other country may have different rules.

Citizenship does not expire. It can end only in circumstances recognized by law, such as formal renunciation or a lawful revocation process.

A child born outside Canada may be a citizen by descent depending on the parent’s citizenship and the applicable law at the time. Citizenship-by-descent rules have changed over time.

Most children born in Canada are Canadian citizens at birth, but limited exceptions apply, including certain children of foreign diplomatic representatives.

Yes. Different citizenship grant provisions can apply to minors depending on their family situation and whether they are applying with or without a Canadian parent.

An expired PR card does not automatically end permanent resident status. Citizenship eligibility depends on the legal requirements, not simply the expiry date printed on the card.

Yes, but you must continue meeting citizenship requirements, maintain required status until citizenship is granted and be able to attend required appointments.

Certain criminal, security or immigration circumstances can make a person prohibited from receiving citizenship for a period of time. The exact rule depends on the facts.

Proof of citizenship is evidence that a person is already a Canadian citizen, often established through a citizenship certificate or other accepted documentation.

Canada does not generally require a person to renounce another citizenship to become Canadian, but the other country’s law may differ.

IRCC offers online citizenship applications for eligible applicants and situations. Some cases may require a different process.

Yes. An application may be refused if the applicant does not meet the legal requirements or fails to satisfy required steps.

Renunciation is a formal legal process through which an eligible Canadian citizen voluntarily gives up citizenship.

A sponsor must meet the requirements of the specific family sponsorship category, including status in Canada, age and any applicable financial or eligibility conditions.

An eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor an eligible spouse if both the sponsor and applicant meet the legal and program requirements.

Yes, if the relationship meets the immigration definition of common-law partnership and the other sponsorship requirements are met.

For Canadian immigration purposes, common-law partnership generally requires at least 12 continuous months of conjugal cohabitation, subject to the applicable rules and evidence.

An eligible sponsor may sponsor a child who meets IRCC’s definition of dependent child and the other family-class requirements.

The Parents and Grandparents Program allows eligible sponsors to sponsor qualifying parents or grandparents when IRCC opens an intake and the sponsor meets the requirements.

Sponsors under the Parents and Grandparents Program must meet the applicable income requirement for the required tax years. The amount depends on family size and the intake rules.

An undertaking is a binding promise by the sponsor to provide basic financial support to the sponsored person for the period set by the sponsorship rules.

The length of the undertaking depends on the relationship and sponsorship category. It can continue even if the sponsor’s personal circumstances or relationship later change.

Some sponsored spouses or partners in Canada may qualify for an open work permit if they meet the current eligibility requirements.

IRCC can consider the history, development and ongoing nature of the relationship and supporting evidence. A relationship entered mainly for immigration purposes may not qualify.

Yes. Canadian immigration law recognizes qualifying same-sex marriages and common-law relationships under the applicable rules.

A Canadian citizen living abroad may be able to sponsor a spouse or partner if the requirements are met, including plans to live in Canada when permanent residence is granted. Permanent residents generally face different residence rules.

Sponsorship of siblings is available only in limited situations. Most adult siblings do not qualify for direct family-class sponsorship simply because they are siblings.

Sponsorship of relatives other than spouses, partners, children, parents or grandparents is limited to specific situations defined by the regulations.

Receiving certain social assistance for reasons other than disability can affect sponsorship eligibility. The exact rule depends on the sponsorship category and circumstances.

Failure to comply with a previous undertaking or repay certain government assistance can affect eligibility to sponsor again.

Sponsored applicants and applicable family members may need immigration medical examinations as part of admissibility assessment.

Yes. Refusal can occur for reasons such as ineligibility, inadmissibility, insufficient evidence of a qualifying relationship or failure to meet other legal requirements.

No. A sponsorship undertaking can continue for its full legal period even if the relationship later ends.

International adoption and immigration involve both adoption law and immigration requirements. The process depends on the child’s circumstances and the applicable federal, provincial or territorial rules.

Permanent residents generally must be residing in Canada to sponsor under the family class. Canadian citizens can have different rules.

Certain unresolved bankruptcy situations can affect sponsorship eligibility. Check the current sponsor eligibility rules.

Applicants may need police certificates from countries where they have lived for the periods specified by IRCC, subject to age and country-specific rules.

A material change such as separation or divorce must be reported. It can affect whether the applicant still meets the requirements of the sponsorship category.

A UCI, or Unique Client Identifier, is the personal client number IRCC assigns to a person. The same person normally keeps the same UCI across different IRCC applications.

An application number identifies a specific immigration or citizenship application. A person can have one UCI but different application numbers for different files.

A UCI may appear on official IRCC correspondence or immigration documents. First-time applicants may not have one before IRCC creates their client record.

The available status tool depends on the type of application. IRCC provides online accounts, trackers and status tools for different application categories.

Processing time varies by application type, location, completeness, case complexity and other factors. Published processing times are estimates, not guarantees.

IRCC calculates published processing times using data from applications processed in a specified period or forward-looking estimates for some programs. The method can differ by application type.

Submit a complete application, use the correct forms, provide clear documents and translations, pay the correct fees, respond to requests on time and report relevant changes.

IRCC may check completeness, create a file, request biometrics, medicals or documents, assess eligibility and admissibility, and then make a decision.

An acknowledgement of receipt, often called an AOR, confirms that IRCC has received an application or that it has passed a particular intake step, depending on the program.

A returned application is generally not accepted for full processing because of an intake or completeness issue. A refusal is a decision that the application did not meet the applicable requirements.

Relevant changes should be reported using the process available for that application, such as an online account or web form.

A procedural fairness letter gives an applicant an opportunity to respond to a concern that may negatively affect the decision before IRCC makes a final determination.

The IRCC web form is an online channel used for certain enquiries, updates and document submissions when the instructions for the application allow it.

Biometrics are fingerprints and a photograph collected from many immigration applicants for identity and security purposes.

An immigration medical examination is a medical assessment completed by an approved panel physician when required for an immigration application.

A police certificate is a document about a person’s criminal record or the absence of one, issued by the appropriate authority in a country or territory.

Documents in another language generally need an acceptable translation, and the exact translation or certification requirements depend on IRCC’s instructions.

Yes. Applicants may appoint an authorized representative or, in some situations, an unpaid representative. The applicant remains responsible for the truth and completeness of the application.

No. A representative cannot guarantee approval or faster processing. IRCC decides applications under the applicable law and program requirements.

Many applications can be withdrawn before a final decision, subject to the rules of the program. Refund eligibility depends on the application type, fees paid and processing stage.

GCKey is a Government of Canada credential that can be used to sign in to certain online services. It is not an immigration status or application approval.

Some application types can be linked to an online account if the information entered matches the file. Not every application can be linked.

A biometric instruction letter tells an applicant that biometrics are required and provides instructions for completing them at an authorized location.

A genuine mistake should be corrected promptly using the appropriate process. The significance depends on the information involved and its effect on the application.

IRCC normally provides a refusal decision explaining the basis of refusal. Available next steps depend on the application type, facts and any legal review or appeal rights.

A person who is inadmissible is not legally allowed to enter or remain in Canada unless a lawful exception or remedy applies.

Grounds can include security concerns, human or international rights violations, criminality, organized crime, certain medical reasons, financial reasons, misrepresentation, non-compliance or inadmissible family members in some cases.

Criminal inadmissibility can arise when a person has committed or been convicted of conduct that corresponds to an offence under Canadian law and meets the statutory requirements.

Yes. A foreign conviction may lead to criminal inadmissibility if the conduct has an equivalent offence in Canada and the legal requirements are met.

Serious criminality is a statutory ground of inadmissibility that applies in defined circumstances involving more serious offences or sentences.

Rehabilitation is a legal process or status that can overcome certain criminal inadmissibility after the required conditions and time periods are met.

In some cases, enough time and other statutory conditions may result in a person being considered rehabilitated without a formal rehabilitation application. Not every offence qualifies.

A Temporary Resident Permit, or TRP, may allow an otherwise inadmissible person to enter or remain in Canada temporarily when justified under the law. It is discretionary.

Medical inadmissibility can arise from certain public-health, public-safety or excessive-demand considerations, subject to statutory exceptions and current policy.

No. Medical inadmissibility is based on specific legal tests. Having a medical condition by itself does not automatically make a person inadmissible.

Misrepresentation involves directly or indirectly giving false information or withholding material facts that could cause an error in the administration of immigration law.

Yes, if the omitted information is material and could affect the administration of immigration law. Applicants should answer questions fully and accurately.

Non-compliance can include failing to follow conditions, overstaying, working or studying without authorization, or otherwise failing to meet requirements imposed by immigration law.

A removal order is a formal order requiring a person to leave Canada. Different types of removal orders have different legal consequences.

An exclusion order generally bars return to Canada for a specified period unless the person obtains the required authorization, depending on the circumstances.

A deportation order is a removal order with continuing effect. Returning to Canada generally requires Authorization to Return to Canada unless the order is otherwise resolved.

Authorization to Return to Canada, or ARC, is permission that may be required for a person to return after certain removal orders.

An admissibility hearing is a proceeding before the Immigration Division in certain cases to determine whether a person is inadmissible.

Yes. Permanent residents can be found inadmissible on grounds recognized by law, although procedural rights and consequences can differ from those of foreign nationals.

No. A visa or eTA is a travel authorization, not a guarantee of admission. Admissibility and entry requirements can still be assessed at the border.

A person may be inadmissible on financial grounds in circumstances defined by law, generally where they cannot or will not support themselves or dependants and lack adequate arrangements.

Security inadmissibility covers grounds defined by law, such as espionage, subversion, terrorism, danger to the security of Canada or certain violent acts.

Impaired-driving offences can create criminal inadmissibility. The analysis depends on the date, offence, sentence and Canadian equivalency.

At a port of entry, a border services officer examines a traveller to determine identity, admissibility and whether the person meets the requirements to enter Canada.

Yes. Canadian immigration law recognizes dual intent, but the person must still satisfy the requirements for temporary residence.