CANADIAN VISAS

SKILLED / ECONOMIC IMMIGRATION

Canada’s economic immigration programs are designed to attract skilled professionals, tradespersons, and qualified workers who can contribute to the Canadian labour market and economy. Many programs operate under a pointsbased

selection system.
 

Express Entry Programs (Federal)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For skilled professionals with foreign work experience who meet minimum criteria relating to education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Applications are assessed under the Comprehensive Ranking

System (CRS).

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

For qualified tradespersons with relevant work experience and, where required, a valid job offer or certificate of qualification.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

For individuals with eligible skilled work experience gained in Canada who meet language and admissibility requirements.
 

Provincial Nominee Programs (Pnps)

Provincial and Territorial governments may nominate individuals who meet specific regional labour market needs. Nomination significantly enhances eligibility for permanent residence, either through Express Entry or non-Express

Entry streams.
 

EMPLOYER-SPONSORED & CORPORATE MOBILITY (GLOBAL MOBILITY)

Corporate Immigration

Canada Offers corporate work permits such as the Intra-Company Transfer, which lets multinational companies relocate key staff to Canadian branches without a labour market test. Employers can also use programs like the Global Talent Stream for expedited hiring of skilled workers. These work permits are often processed faster than U.S. visas and can lead to permanent residency and citizenship relatively quickly. Canada offers structured pathways for employers and multinational corporations seeking to recruit or transfer foreign talent.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers where no suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available, typically requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

High-wage LMIA positions

This stream is for employers looking to hire highly skilled or semi-skilled temporary foreign workers. It is applicable when the proposed wage meets or exceeds the median wage at the provincial level.

The Global Talent Stream

The high-wage stream, including caregiver positions

The agricultural stream, and

Applications to support permanent residency

Low-wage LMIA positions

Tailored for low-skilled job positions, this stream is relevant when the hourly wage for temporary foreign workers is below the provincial median wage.

Housing

Transportation

Workplace safety

Health Insurance

Job Agreement

International Mobility Program (IMP)

Facilitate hiring without an LMIA under specific exemptions, including:

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) – For executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge employees

transferring within multinational organisations.

1. Executives:

    1. Individuals who direct the management of the company or a significant component of it.

    2. They set the organization’s goals and policies.

2. Senior Managers:

    1. Employees who manage a department, subdivision, or function of the company.

    2. They have the authority to hire and fire or recommend such actions, as well as supervise other managers or professionals.

3. Specialized Knowledge Workers:

    1. Employees with advanced or unique knowledge of the company’s products, services, processes, or procedures.

    2. Specialized knowledge goes beyond mere familiarity and involves a deep understanding of company-specific practices.

 

 CUSMA / Free Trade Agreement Professionals – For eligible professionals under international trade

agreements.

A CUSMA intra-company transfer is a worker transferring to Canada to work for a branch, subsidiary or affiliate of their US or Mexican employer who meet the ICT requirements. The transferee must have worked continuously for their U.S. or Mexican employer for at least one of the last three years in a similar position to the work being done in Canada and be employed at the time of applying.

The transferee must have a managerial or executive role, or demonstrate specialized knowledge of the enterprise’s products, services, processes and procedures.

 Significant Benefit Work Permits – Where the employment provides economic, cultural, or social benefit to Canada.

Global Talent Stream

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a priority immigration pathway under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) designed to assist Canadian employers in accessing highly skilled global talent through expedited processing.

This program is particularly suited to technology companies, innovation-driven businesses, and employers requiring specialized expertise that is not readily available within the Canadian labour market.

STUDY PERMITS

International students intending to pursue academic, vocational, or professional studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) must obtain a Study Permit. Applicants must demonstrate acceptance by a DLI, financial capacity, and compliance with health and character requirements.

Graduates of eligible Canadian institutions may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which can provide a pathway to permanent residence.
 

VISITOR VISAS

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Allows foreign nationals to travel to Canada for tourism, family visits, or short-term business purposes.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Required for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air.Applicants must demonstrate genuine temporary intent and sufficient financial support.

FAMILY SPONSORSHIP

Canada’s family reunification program permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible family members.

Spousal or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

For legally married spouses or eligible partners, subject to sponsorship and relationship requirements.

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship

Allows eligible sponsors to bring parents or grandparents to Canada, subject to annual intake limits.

Dependent Child Sponsorship

For dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
 

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT IMMIGRATION

Canada provides immigration pathways for entrepreneurs and investors seeking to establish or acquire businesses.

Provincial Entrepreneur Streams

Canada encourages investment through various provincial entrepreneur programs (each province runs its own “PNP” entrepreneur streams requiring a certain investment and job creation). For example, Ontario or British Columbia have entrepreneur visas where investing roughly CAD 200,000+ and creating jobs can lead to a provincial nomination for PR. While Canada does not offer a pure passive investor visa (cash-for-residency) anymore, these active investment routes effectively serve investors by providing a relatively fast track to permanent residency in exchange for business development in Canada. Importantly, once permanent residence is obtained, investors enjoy the same path to citizenship as any PR. Pease note PNP Programs has been halted.