This page contains information about Canadian immigration law sourced from official government legislation. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult an authorised representative (RCIC or immigration lawyer).

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Canadian immigration programs

Canada IRCC

Canada manages permanent and temporary immigration through a set of programs administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each program targets a different category of applicant and operates under the authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Economic immigration — permanent residence

  • Express Entry — Online management system for Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class applications. Candidates are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS); highest-scoring candidates receive Invitations to Apply.
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — Provinces and territories nominate workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates for permanent residence. Nominees may apply through Express Entry (Enhanced streams) or directly to IRCC (Base streams).

Family class

  • Family sponsorship — Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor eligible family members including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Eligibility and sponsor requirements are set out in IRPR r.116–r.117 and r.130–r.133.

Temporary residence

  • Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) — Required for nationals of visa-required countries who wish to visit Canada as temporary residents. Issuance criteria are set out in IRPR r.179.
  • Work permits — Foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada generally require a work permit. Open and employer-specific work permits are governed by IRPR r.200. Most employer-specific permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) unless an exemption applies (IRPR r.205).

Refugee protection

  • Convention refugee / person in need of protection — Claims for refugee protection are assessed under IRPA s.96 and s.97. Protected persons may apply for permanent residence after a positive determination.

Legislation

All programs operate under the authority of: