If you want to immigrate to Canada on a long term (or permanent) basis you must get a permanent resident visa. Although your overall objective may be to obtain your Canadian citizenship, the first step is always to get a permanent resident visa. The visa allows you to live in Canada indefinitely provided you spend 730 days in Canada out of every five-year period, at which time your permanent resident card must be renewed. Most individuals do apply for citizenship after living in Canada for a full three years. After obtaining citizenship, you no longer have to renew the permanent resident visa.

Favoured Entry Routes

There are several ways to get a permanent resident visa. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) focuses on encouraging foreign nationals to apply for temporary status either as workers or as students before applying for permanent resident status. As a result, the favoured routes for entering into Canada on a temporary basis are known as LMO, IEC or NAFTA. These are explained on our work permit page.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

As well, the federal government is encouraging individuals to seek entry through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, either under the Strategic Occupation or the Business Immigration route. Once you are in Canada on a work permit or a student permit, you may apply under the Canadian Experience class for permanent residence, or to fulfill the conditions under the BC PNP program.

Self Employed

Lastly, there is also the self employed route which you can access either through the federal business program or under the NAFTA trader/investors stream.

For a free assessment of any of these above areas, please describe your situation in the form below.
Full Name: *
Date of Birth: *
Citizenship: *
Phone: *
Email: *
Marital Status: *
 Married 
 Single  
 Living with a same-sex partner for more than one year 
 Living with a common-law partner for more than one year 
Number of Children: *
Ages of those Children: *
Your highest level of education completed: *
 High School 
 Bachelor's Degree 
 Master's Degree 
 PhD 
Do you have a trade certification from your home country? *
If so, in what field?
Are you currently studying in Canada? *
 Yes 
 No 
Are you currently in a PhD program in Canada? *
 Yes 
 No 
Have you studied in Canada at any time for at least two years? *
 Yes 
 No 
Has your spouse studied in Canada at any time for at least 2 years? *
 Yes 
 No 
Describe your employment during the last 10 years (year by year): *
Do you have a valid offer of full-time employment from a Canadian employer? *
 Yes 
 No 
Are you currently working in Canada? *
 Yes 
 No 
Have you obtained a Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian province regarding your trade skill? *
 Yes 
 No 
Do you have at least 2 years of full-time trade experience in the last 5 years? *
 Yes 
 No 
If so, in what area of trade? *
Do you have a trade certification from your home country? *
 Yes 
 No 
If so, in what area of trade? *
What is your fluency in English? *
 None 
 Fair 
 Medium 
 Excellent 
What is your fluency in French? *
 None 
 Fair 
 Medium 
 Excellent 
Have you ever worked in Canada for more than one year during the last 3 years? *
 Yes 
 No 
Has your spouse ever worked in Canada for more than one year during the last 3 years? *
 Yes 
 No 
Have you had your university degree or trade certification assessed by an independent educational body? *
 Yes 
 No 
Is your degree equivalent to a Canadian degree or trade certification? *
 Do not know 
 Yes 
 No 
Does your partner have a valid offer of full-time employment from a Canadian employer? *
 Yes 
 No 
Do you or your partner have any close family relationships in Canada? *
 Yes 
 No 
If yes, please describe that relationship. *
Is your partner now working? *
 Yes 
 No 
If so, in what field? *
Do you have a personal net worth of at least $1,000,000 Canadian? *
 Yes 
 No 
Have you ever managed a business? *
 Yes 
 No 
If yes, briefly describe. *
Have you ever owned a company in the last 5 years? *
 Yes 
 No 
If yes, describe percentage of ownership and the number of employees. *
Have you or any of your family members over the age of 18 ever had any criminal convictions? *
 Yes 
 No 
If so, please describe. *
Do you or your family have any serious medical or health related issues which require constant medical attention? *
 Yes 
 No