Visas & immigration: Canada
Canada cut its immigration targets sharply for 2026 — here’s what’s actually open, and what closed in the last two years.
Canada’s reputation for "easy" immigration is out of date. The 2026–2028 plan targets 380,000 new permanent residents a year — down roughly 105,000 from the pre-2024 trajectory — and for the first time caps temporary residents too. Competition on every pathway below is meaningfully higher than it was in 2022–2023.
Which door is yours?
One year of skilled Canadian work makes you eligible — the fastest, most direct PR route via Express Entry.
A provincial nomination adds +600 points — effectively a guaranteed invitation. Alberta and BC are the predictable bets right now.
No job offer needed, ~35 eligible countries. Pools open each December and fill within days — set a reminder.
Every pathway at a glance
| Pathway | Best for | Typical fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | Skilled workers, degree + experience | $990 CAD | Open, competitive (pool >220,000) |
| Provincial Nominee | A specific province wants you | Varies by province | Ontario rebuilt entirely in May 2026 |
| Work permit (LMIA) | Employer-sponsored roles | $155 + $1,000 employer fee | Open; Global Talent Stream is fastest |
| Study permit → PGWP | Students aiming at PR later | $150 + $255 | Capped and shrinking each year |
| Working Holiday (IEC) | Ages 18–35, ~35 eligible countries | ~$155–300 | Open, pools fill within days |
| Spousal sponsorship | Partner is a citizen or PR | ~$1,200 | Open, ~12 months |
| Start-up Visa | Backed entrepreneurs | — | Suspended to new applicants, Jan 2026 |
| Parent & Grandparent sponsorship | Reuniting family long-term | — | Paused since July 2026 — use a Super Visa instead |
Express Entry, in plain terms
Most economic immigration runs through one points system, the Comprehensive Ranking System: age, education, language scores and work experience earn points, and IRCC periodically invites the top-ranked candidates in the pool to apply. A provincial nomination is worth a flat +600 points — effectively a guaranteed invitation — which is why it’s the biggest lever for anyone whose score isn’t naturally competitive. As of March 2025, a job offer no longer adds points on its own.
Recent invitation cutoffs by draw type (CRS points)
What changed recently
- Ontario’s entire provincial program was rebuilt in May 2026 — all nine old streams eliminated, three new ones proposed but not yet detailed.
- The Start-up Visa and Self-Employed Persons programs are effectively closed to new applicants; provincial entrepreneur streams (Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan) are the realistic route now.
- Parent and Grandparent sponsorship is paused — a long-stay Super Visa (up to 5 years per stay, 10-year validity) is the practical alternative in the meantime.
- Study permits keep shrinking — 408,000 for 2026, down from 485,000 in 2024 — though master’s and doctoral students at public universities no longer need a provincial attestation letter.
Express Entry is the main road, a provincial nomination is the shortcut, and 2026’s Canada is pickier than the one your friends immigrated to. Check the live draw scores before planning around old numbers.
Sources & how current this is
Canadian immigration and housing policy moved unusually fast through 2025–2026 — provincial nominee programs were restructured, several federal entrepreneur streams were paused, and fees were adjusted mid-year. Every figure above was current at the time of writing; treat anything immigration- or fee-related as a starting point and confirm the live number on the official source before you apply or budget around it.