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Immigration Programs

Canadian Immigration Programs & Special Streams

Review major permanent residence, work permit, and pilot program categories that may apply depending on profile, timing, and current eligibility requirements.

Core Pathways

Express Entry & Provincial Nominee Programs

These are the two main systems used for economic permanent residence and are often the first programs reviewed when assessing long-term eligibility.

Federal program Permanent residence

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada's online application system for several federal economic permanent residence programs. It covers the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class, as well as a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Candidates create a profile and enter a pool ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). IRCC regularly issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through draws, which target either all eligible candidates or specific occupational categories.

As of March 31, 2026, IRCC lists category-based selection streams for French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Draws are held regularly throughout the year, but categories and priorities can change.

  • Skilled work experience in an eligible NOC occupation
  • Language proficiency in English or French (CLB/NCLC varies by program)
  • Educational credentials meeting program minimums
  • Meeting the specific requirements of at least one Express Entry program

Express Entry categories and CRS cut-off scores change with each draw. Eligibility should be assessed against current IRCC requirements.

Federal-provincial program Nomination route

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate candidates for permanent residence based on local labour market and economic needs. Each province operates its own streams with distinct eligibility criteria, occupation lists, and intake schedules.

Many PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry. A provincial nomination can add 600 CRS points, which can make a candidate highly competitive in the Express Entry pool. Other streams operate outside Express Entry through a separate non-Express Entry process.

Active PNP streams exist across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

  • Job offer from a provincial employer, or
  • Expression of Interest submitted to a provincial pool, or
  • Nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream
  • Meeting the specific occupation, language, and settlement fund requirements of the target province

PNP streams open and close frequently. Intake windows, occupation lists, and eligibility thresholds vary by province and can change without notice.

Time-Sensitive

Programs with Current or Recent Intake Windows

Some programs move quickly because they open in limited rounds, depend on community recommendation, or fill once intake caps are reached.

Availability, eligibility, and intake periods may change without notice based on IRCC, provincial, or pilot program updates.

Express Entry program In-Canada profiles

Canadian Experience Class and In-Canada Applicants

The original Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway is closed and stopped accepting applications on November 5, 2021. Applicants in Canada may still have permanent residence options through active programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, provincial nominee streams, or another category that fits their work experience, status, language results, and admissibility.

  • Skilled Canadian work experience that supports eligibility under Express Entry or another active pathway
  • Valid temporary status in Canada and a possible route to permanent residence through an active program
  • Language results, education, and admissibility requirements matching the selected pathway
  • A profile that may fit the Canadian Experience Class, a provincial nominee stream, or another active program

Important update: The old TR to PR pathway is no longer open. Some people still waiting on a 2021 TR to PR application may qualify for an open work permit until December 31, 2026, but new permanent residence applications are not being accepted under that pathway. For applicants already in Canada, the more relevant review is whether the profile fits Canadian Experience Class, a provincial nomination, or another active program.

Community-driven Employer-backed route

Rural Community Immigration Pilot

Designed to address labour shortages in rural and smaller communities across Canada. Participating communities select candidates based on local employer needs, offering a community-backed pathway to permanent residence.

  • Valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community
  • At least 1 year of related work experience in the past 3 years, unless you qualify for an exemption
  • Language ability, education, and proof of funds meeting current pilot requirements
  • Community recommendation and a complete permanent residence application through the pilot

Intake note: Community allocations are limited per intake period. Eligibility depends on the participating community, designated employer, occupation, job offer, and current pilot requirements.

Specialist Streams

Pathways for Unique Profiles

For some applicants, less commonly discussed categories can offer a more practical route than a standard employer-sponsored application.

Entrepreneur pathway C11

C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit

For foreign nationals who intend to establish, purchase, or invest in a Canadian business. Depending on the structure of the business and the evidence of significant benefit to Canada, this type of case may support an employer-specific work permit while the entrepreneur builds toward a longer-term immigration strategy.

  • Business plan demonstrating potential significant benefit to Canada
  • Sufficient capital, investment commitment, or ownership position
  • Intent and ability to actively direct the business in Canada
Discuss this route
LMIA-exempt C16

C16 Francophone Mobility

French-speaking workers outside Quebec may have access to this LMIA-exempt work permit, designed to support Canada's Francophone communities outside Quebec. Eligible applicants do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment for this category.

  • Intermediate French speaking and listening ability, generally equivalent to NCLC 5 or higher
  • Offer of employment to live and work outside Quebec
  • Job offer in any NOC TEER category except primary agriculture positions in TEER 4 or 5
Discuss this route
Academic research route C44

C44 Postdoctoral Research

Doctoral graduates conducting postdoctoral research at a Canadian university or similar institution may qualify for an employer-specific work permit, depending on the position and the applicable IRCC instructions. For some applicants, Canadian research work may also support later permanent residence options, including Express Entry.

  • Doctoral degree completed, or dissertation submitted, in a related field
  • Postdoctoral job offer from a recognized university or similar institution
  • Role and supporting documents that match current IRCC work permit instructions
Discuss this route

Program availability reflected here was reviewed against Canada.ca on May 14, 2026. Canadian immigration policy changes frequently — program caps, intake windows, and eligibility criteria can shift with little notice. These summaries are provided for general awareness only and do not constitute regulated immigration advice. A formal consultation with Entrypoint Canada will assess your specific situation against the most current IRCC guidelines.

Last reviewed: May 14, 2026

Not Sure Where You Fit?

Every file depends on eligibility, timing, and current program requirements.

A consultation can help determine whether one of these specialist programs applies to your profile, timing, and long-term immigration plan.

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