Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan targets 395,000 new immigrants in 2025.
Despite being lower than previous years, this remains a significant number of newcomers.
News of Canada placing a freeze on immigration is false. The country is still very much open to newcomers and well worth considering as a welcoming destination for candidates from all over the world.
Outlined below is a comprehensive list of how to immigrate to Canada in 2025.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Economic Programs
1. Express Entry
Express Entry remains on of the foremost ways for how to immigrate to Canada in 2025.
The flagship selection system is used to control applications for the main federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades.
Canada plans to welcome 41,700 Federal High Skilled immigrants in 2025, according to the latest Immigration Levels Plan, rising to 47,400 in 2025 and 47,800 in 2026.
Expect to see a significant number of occupation-specific Express Entry draws, draws aimed at French-speakers, all-program and program-specific draws in 2025.
2. Provincial Nominee Program
The combined force of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs will welcome more immigrants than Express Entry to Canada in 2025, making it another important entry on the how to immigrate to Canada list.
Canada plans to welcome 55,000 newcomers through the nine provincial (and two territorial) immigration programs, with that number remaining the same for the next two years.
Canada’s Provincial Nomination Programs
- Ontario Immigration 2025
- Quebec Immigration
- Alberta Immigration
- British Columbia Immigration
- Manitoba Immigration
- New Brunswick Immigration
- Newfoundland Immigration
- Nova Scotia Immigration
- Saskatchewan Immigration
- Yukon Immigration
- Prince Edward Island Immigration
- Northwest Territories and Nunavut Immigration
Parts of the PNP also feed into Express Entry, meaning each of the provincial programs mentioned above have specific streams for the federally-operated selection system.
The provinces are geared up to select immigrants specific to their economic needs. Candidates should consult target occupation lists and streams because provincial and federal priorities differ.
3. Quebec
Quebec is in a category of its own as it has full control over its economic immigration intake, meaning it is another way for how to immigrate to Canada.
Much has been made of the powerful Quebec provincial government’s push to ensure all immigrants welcomed to the province are francophone.
Francois Legault, leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, believes the French language is central to preserving Quebec’s culture and is focused on limiting newcomers to the province to between 48,500 and 51,500 in 2025, with 31,000 to 32,900 of them through economic programs.
Quebec has pauses in place on two important programs until June 30, 2025. These are for applications for the Quebec Graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program and invitations under the Skilled Worker Selection Program, which recently replaced the Regular Skilled Worker Program.
4. Economic Pilot Programs
Canada also operates a number of employer-driven pilot programs targeting specific areas of the economy or regions with chronic labour shortages.
At the forefront of these is the Atlantic Immigration Program, which started life as a pilot but has since been made permanent.
Covering the four Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island, the AIP has an allocation of 5,000 spaces for skilled worker and international graduate immigrants in 2025.
A further 10,920 newcomers are to be welcomed through the Caregiver pilots, Agri-Food pilot, Community Immigration Pilots (yet to be announced) and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
Most of these programs are employer-driven, meaning they cannot be applied to directly. An employer identifies a need, finds an immigrant to fulfil that need and uses the program to bring that candidate to Canada. But they are still a good way for how to immigrate to Canada.
Business Programs
5. Start-Up Visa
Canada’s Start-Up Visa has become an important route to Canada immigration for business-minded individuals and a key way for how to immigrate to Canada.
To qualify, candidates with a qualifying business or business idea must secure the support of a designated angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator, plus have the required settlement funds and language ability.
Candidates can move to Canada on a work permit while they establish their business, before qualifying for permanent residence. To qualify, applicants must be actively involved in the management of the business within Canada.
Canada plans to welcome 2,000 newcomers through business programs in 2025, falling to 1,000 in 2026 and 2027. Most of these will come through the Start-Up Visa.
6. Provincial Business Programs
Many of Canada’s provinces operate their own entrepreneur programs, which fall under their respective Provincial Nominee Programs.
Each of these programs has specific requirements related to the province or territory they serve.
7. Self-Employed Programs
Both the federal government and Quebec operate self-employed programs.
The federal Self-Employed Class is geared towards applicants who have relevant self-employment experience as well as the intention and the ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada.
In Quebec, self-employed applicants are primarily differentiated from skilled workers in that they create their own job by practicing a profession or engaging in a commercial activity.
Family Class
8. Spouses, Partners and Children
Canada combines spouses, partners and children in its Immigration Levels Plan, with an aim to welcome 70,000 such newcomers in 2025, making up the majority of the 94,500-strong Family Class. If you have a family member here, there are good options for how to immigrate to Canada.
The spouse and partner stream allows for applications from outside or within Canada (via the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class). Spouses and partners can be of any sex provided they meet requirements.
Spouses and partners can qualify for a work permit while they are waiting for their applications t be processed.
Children being sponsored are generally under 22 and do not have a spouse or partner of their own. To qualify over the age of 22, they must be unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition or have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22.
Canada operates a separate stream for adoption from overseas.
9. Parents and Grandparents
Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program operates on a lottery system, where sponsors declare their interest in a pool and are drawn at random and issued an invitation to apply.
Canada plans to welcome 24,500 newcomers through the stream in 2025.
The stream has drawn controversy over the years as it is regularly oversubscribed, with officials searching for the fairest way to select candidates to come to Canada.
Currently, the PGP pool has not been opened for new sponsors since 2020. Several batches of sponsors have been invited to apply since then.
Parents and grandparents who are not selected can consider the Super Visa.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
Canada’s temporary residence system caused controversy in 2024, blamed for pushing up house prices and tightening the labour market, leading to increased unemployment.
IRCC set levels for temporary residents for the first time in its most recent Immigration Levels Plan.
Canada’s Temporary Residence Levels Plan
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |
| Overall Arrivals | 673,650 | 516,600 | 543,600 |
| Workers (Total) | 367,750 | 210,700 | 237,700 |
| International Mobility Program | 285,750 | 128,700 | 155,700 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker | 82,000 | 82,000 | 82,000 |
| Students | 305,900 | 305,900 | 305,900 |
10. Study Permit and Post-Graduation Work Permit
Canada’s international student and Post-Graduation Work Permit system has caused controversy in 2024, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller announcing caps on the program to control numbers. In 2025, Canada plans to welcome 305,900 students.
The country still has an established route to permanent residence for international students.
They can come in on a Study Permit, qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which can give them the experience needed to qualify for immigration via Express Entry.
However, while that pathway exists, candidates must be aware that it is highly competitive. Only a fraction of the international students studying in Canada will become permanent residents.
Many immigration consultants and colleges and universities promote the fact that international students can come to Canada to study and transition to permanent residence. However, the reality is that very few will achieve this.
11. Temporary Workers
Canada’s Work Permit was also been the subject of controversy in 2024, with new limits introduced on the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, for those who require a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Those who do not required an LMIA get their work permit through the International Mobility Program.
Canada plans to welcome 285,750 newcomers through the IMP in 2025 and 82,000 through the TFWP.
A positive LMIA confirms there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job at hand and that no Canadian worker is available to do the job.
The IMP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without the need for an LMIA. It includes intra-company transferees, those entering Canada as part of trade treaties, such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) or the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and those who qualify for an open work permit.
The TFWP is made up streams for high-skilled workers, low-skilled workers and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
The Global Talent Stream also falls under the TFWP, through which employers can access two-week processing for a list of technology occupations.
A number of provincial programs also operate programs that target technology occupations, including the BC PNP Tech stream and Ontario Tech Draws through its Human Capital Priorities stream.
REFUGEES
12. Refugee Immigration
Canada continues to prioritize welcoming refugees as part of its humanitarian effort around the world.
Gazans, Ukrainians, Syrians and Afghans have all benefitted from Canada’s openness to refugees.
The federal government’s Economic Mobility Pathways Project aims to bring skilled refugees to Canada.
The latest Immigration Levels Plan has room for more than 58,350 newcomers to Canada in the Refugee Class.
FAQ: Immigrating to Canada in 2025
What is Express Entry, and how does it work?
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship immigration system for economic programs like Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and high-ranking applicants are invited to apply for permanent residence. In 2025, expect occupation-specific, French-speaking, and all-program draws.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
The PNP allows provinces to nominate candidates based on local labor market needs. Each province has unique streams, often tied to Express Entry, targeting skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and specific occupations. PNPs will welcome over 55,000 newcomers annually through 2025.
How does Quebec’s immigration system differ?
Quebec manages its own immigration programs, prioritizing French-speaking applicants. It has a set annual quota and unique streams like the Quebec Experience Program. Certain Quebec programs are paused until mid-2025, but others remain active.
What are Canada’s economic pilot programs?
Programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program and caregiver pilots address regional labor shortages. Most are employer-driven, requiring job offers to qualify. These programs bring workers to industries like healthcare, agri-food, and technology, with over 15,000 spots in 2025.
How can I immigrate through business programs?
Canada offers options like the Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and provincial entrepreneur streams. Applicants need investment support and must actively manage their business in Canada. Federal and provincial self-employed programs also target cultural, artistic, and athletic professionals.
Can I sponsor family members to immigrate?
Yes, Canada prioritizes family reunification. You can sponsor spouses, common-law partners, children, parents, and grandparents. Spouses can apply from inside or outside Canada and may receive open work permits while their applications are processed.
What are the options for parents and grandparents?
Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) uses a lottery system to invite sponsors. Selected applicants can apply for permanent residence, while others may consider the Super Visa, allowing extended visits without PR status.
How can international students immigrate?
International students can apply for a Study Permit, gain Canadian experience through a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and transition to PR through pathways like Express Entry. However, competition is high, and only a fraction achieve permanent residency.
What work permit options exist for temporary workers?
Temporary workers use programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP). TFWP requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while IMP includes LMIA-exempt permits for trade agreements and intra-company transferees.
Does Canada accept refugees?
Canada is a global leader in refugee resettlement, welcoming over 58,000 refugees annually. Programs like the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot also allow skilled refugees to integrate into the workforce while contributing to Canada’s economy.
