We picked the Government of Canada pages that matter most and explained, in plain words, when each one helps. Every link goes straight to the official source.
Not sure which program fits? Start here.
The main route for skilled workers who want to live in Canada for good. This page explains the three programs inside it.
When you're exploring permanent residence through your work
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)What you need to study in Canada, from your letter of acceptance to proof you can pay for school and living costs.
When you're planning to study
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The different kinds of work permits, and whether you need one at all.
When you have, or hope to get, a job in Canada
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)How Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, partner, child or other relative.
When you want to bring family together in Canada
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)A quick official check of whether you need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), based on your passport.
Before you book a trip to Canada
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Who can apply for citizenship, including people who may already be citizens through a parent.
When you're a permanent resident, or think you might be Canadian by birth
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The documents most programs ask for, and how to get them.
Which English and French tests count, how scores convert to Canada's levels, and how long results stay valid.
Before you book a test, and before you apply
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)How to get a report showing what your foreign education is worth in Canada, and which organizations can do it. It's for immigration, not for a professional licence.
If you studied outside Canada
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Canada's official list of jobs. Compare your real duties with the description, not just the job title.
When a program asks about your occupation
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The full list of documents you'll need, from passports and police certificates to reference letters.
When you're getting ready to apply
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The minimum settlement funds by family size, what counts as available money, and who doesn't need to show it.
When you're planning your budget
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)How provinces choose people, and how Express Entry ranks them.
How provinces and territories pick people who fit their needs, with links to each one's official site. Quebec and Nunavut work differently.
When you have a link to a province, or a job there
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The government's own calculator for the ranking score (out of 1,200). It's an estimate, not a decision.
When you have your test results and education assessment
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Who was invited in past rounds and the lowest score invited. Useful context, but past rounds don't predict future ones.
When you want to see how scores have compared
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Know who you can trust and how long things take.
Who is allowed to charge you for immigration help, and how to check that they're licensed.
Before you pay anyone for help
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Common tricks like fake job offers and guaranteed visas, and how to report them.
Anytime someone promises you a guaranteed result
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)The government's current processing times for each type of application.
When you're planning your timeline
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Free help for newcomers, before and after you arrive.
Government-funded services that help you prepare: job search, credentials, and settling in.
Once you've been approved, before you move
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)Who qualifies for free settlement services, with details for economic immigrants. Not every service is open to everyone.
When you're planning your first months in Canada
Open the official page (opens in a new tab)That’s exactly what your assessment is for. Tell us about yourself and we’ll point you to the ones that matter for your situation.
Links checked October 16, 2026. Government pages change often; if anything looks different, the official page is always the one to follow.
