Before you start

For Express Entry: an eligible skilled-work profile, language test results, and an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign qualifications
For a work permit: a job offer, usually with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment unless the role is LMIA-exempt
Passport valid for the intended stay
Proof of settlement funds, for some Express Entry programs

Step-by-step

1
Decide which route you're on
Express Entry leads to permanent residence and does not require an employer. A work permit is faster but temporary and generally tied to a job. Many people do both — arrive on a work permit, then apply for PR with Canadian experience improving their score.
OnlineWho: You
2
Sit a language test and get credentials assessed
IELTS General Training or CELPIP for English, TEF or TCF for French. Foreign degrees need an Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organisation. Both take weeks and both expire, so sequence them deliberately.
In personWho: YouLanguage results ~2 weeks; ECA commonly 6–14 weeks
3
Create an Express Entry profile and wait for a draw
Your profile is scored under the Comprehensive Ranking System and sits in a pool. Draws happen regularly, some general and some targeting specific categories such as healthcare, trades or French-language ability.
OnlineWho: You
4
Or have your employer pursue a work permit
Employers hiring senior technical talent can use the Global Talent Stream, which carries a 10-business-day service standard for the employer's LMIA and a 2-week work permit processing standard for roles in TEER category 0 or 1.
Via employerWho: Your employerAbout 2 weeks for the work permit where GTS applies
5
Submit the application and biometrics
After an invitation to apply you have a fixed window to submit a complete PR application with police certificates and a medical exam. Biometrics are given at a collection point.
OnlineWho: YouPermanent-residence fees rose on 30 April 2026 — check the current IRCC fee list
6
Land, and get your PR card or permit
On arrival you complete landing formalities and your PR card is mailed to a Canadian address. Work-permit holders receive the permit document at the border or by mail.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport
Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP or TEF/TCF)
Educational Credential Assessment for foreign qualifications
Reference letters evidencing skilled work experience
Police certificates for each country lived in 6+ months since age 18
Immigration medical exam from a panel physician
Proof of settlement funds, where required

Things most newcomers don’t know

You do not need a job offer to become a permanent resident.

This is the structural difference from Australia, the UK and most of Europe, and newcomers routinely waste months hunting sponsorship they never needed. Express Entry scores you on age, education, language and experience — a job offer helps but is not a gate.

Source: IRCC — Immigrate through Express Entry

The Educational Credential Assessment is the long pole, and it expires.

It can take months to obtain and is valid for a limited period. Start it before your language test, because an ECA that lands after your test results have aged forces you to redo the cheaper, faster item.

Source: IRCC — Express Entry document requirements

Category-based draws can beat a high general score.

IRCC runs draws targeting specific occupations and French-language ability with materially lower cut-offs than general rounds. A candidate who looks uncompetitive on the general score may be well inside the cut for a category they qualify for.

Source: IRCC — Express Entry rounds of invitations

Canadian work experience raises your PR score, which makes the two routes complementary.

Arriving on a work permit isn't a detour from permanent residence — a year of skilled Canadian experience meaningfully improves your ranking and opens the Canadian Experience Class. Treat the work permit as step one, not an alternative.

Source: IRCC — Canadian Experience Class

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming you need employer sponsorship and never creating an Express Entry profile.
Letting language results or the ECA expire while waiting for a draw.
Quoting pre-30 April 2026 permanent-residence fees — they increased on that date.
Missing the fixed deadline to submit after an invitation to apply, which sends you back to the pool.
Underestimating police certificates: you need one for every country you lived in for 6 months or more since turning 18.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.