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23 Canada PR Holder Visa Free Countries

If you are a Permanent Resident (PR) Cardholder in Canada, it might interest you to know that there are several countries you can visit without having to apply for a visa. A PR card is the most convenient way of proving status to authorities within Canada (e.g., provincial governments, employers, schools).

Permanent residents have other documentation (such as original landing papers) which is also acceptable, so there is no legal requirement for a permanent resident to carry a PR card at all times.

There are three types of Canada PR cards in circulation: 2002, 2009, and 2015 versions. As all PR card’s lifespans cannot exceed five years, the initial 2002 and 2009 versions should be no longer in use. All three versions of the card contain a maple leaf in front of the card, hence earning the nickname “maple leaf card”.

Please note that the Canada PR card is normally valid for five years. However, it may be valid for one year for those whose Canada PR status is being assessed by the IRCC. Please note that a PR card’s expiration date does not indicate that the holder’s status as a permanent resident has expired, or will expire, on that date.

It is the date after which the card must be replaced with a new card. Having said that, here is the list of countries that someone with a Canadian PR card can travel to without having a valid visa.

1. All Dutch Caribbean Territories

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to all Dutch Caribbean territories without a visa, and interestingly, you can stay within the territories for 3 months (that is 90 days).

The Dutch Caribbean are the territories, colonies, and countries, former and current, of the Dutch Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea. They are in the north and south-west of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.

At present, it comprises the constituent countries of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten (CAS islands), and the special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands). The term “Dutch Caribbean” is sometimes also used for the Caribbean Netherlands, an entity consisting of the three special municipalities forming part of the constituent country of the Netherlands since 2010.

2. Anguilla

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Anguilla without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Bahamas without a visa, and interestingly, you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days maximum).

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Belize without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Bermuda without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum.

6. The British Virgin Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the British Virgin Islands without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum. Please note that the British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays.

7. Cayman Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Cayman Island without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 2 months (that is 60 days) maximum.

Please note that Cayman Islands territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, which are located to the south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

8. Costa Rica

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Costa Rica without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum. Please note that your PR card must be valid for more than six months.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Cuba without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days) maximum. Please note that a PR card and a current and valid passport are required to enjoy this benefit.

10. Dominican Republic

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Dominican Republic without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 2 months (that is 60 days) maximum.

11. El Salvador

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to El Salvador without a visa but it is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

12. Georgia

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Georgia without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days in 180 days) maximum.

13. Guatemala

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Guatemala without a visa but this privilege is not applicable to all nationalities.

14. Honduras

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Honduras without a visa but it is important to state that this privilege is not applicable to all nationalities.

15. Jamaica

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Jamaica without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days).

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Mexico without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 6 months (that is 180 days) maximum.

17. Nicaragua

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Nicaragua without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days within 180 days) maximum. It is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Panama without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month or 6 months depending on your country of origin.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Qatar without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for one month (that is 30 days).

20. Saint Maarten

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Saint Maarten without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

21. South Korea

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to South Korea without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days when in transit) maximum. But it is important to state that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Taiwan without a visa, and you can stay within the country for one month (that is 30 days maximum, but online registration is required). Please note that this privilege does not apply to all nationalities.

23. Turks and Caicos Islands

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands without a visa, and you can stay within the territories for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

Please note that the territory consists of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and the northern West Indies. They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial center.

In Conclusion,

To enjoy visa-free travels, Canadian permanent residents require a PR card unless the person’s passport in itself is sufficient for exemption. A Canadian PR cardholder may travel visa-free to the above countries if not already exempt.

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26 Visa Free Countries For Canadian PR (Permanent Residents)

• 13 August 2024, 9:31 AM EDT 13 August 2024, 9:31 AM EDT
• Canada Immigration News , Canada permanent residency , PR (Permanent Residence)

Last Updated On 13 August 2024, 9:31 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Visa Free Countries For Canadian PRs: Obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada is a significant achievement that opens doors to numerous opportunities, including the ability to live and work in one of the world’s most desirable countries.

Beyond the advantages within Canada, a Canadian PR card also grants holders the freedom to travel to several countries without the need for a visa.

In this article, we’ll explore all the 26 Canadian PR visa-free countries, the benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada , and the requirements and recommendations for traveling visa-free as a Canadian PR holder.

Table of Contents

Understanding permanent residency in canada.

Permanent Residency in Canada offers individuals the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the country without time restrictions.

PR status is usually granted to immigrants through various pathways, including Express Entry , Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) , family sponsorship , and more.

The PR card is the official proof of this status and is essential for traveling outside Canada.

3 Major Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada :

• Access to social services: PR holders are eligible for most of the social benefits available to Canadian citizens, including healthcare.
• Pathway to citizenship: After fulfilling residency requirements, PR holders can apply for Canadian citizenship.
• Global travel freedom: A Canadian PR card allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to several countries, easing international travel.

Full List of Visa Free Countries for Canadian PR Holders

One of the most exciting benefits of having a Permanent Resident card in Canada is the ability to travel visa-free to a number of countries.

Below is a comprehensive list of visa-free countries for Canadian PR holders:

1. Dutch Caribbean Territories: Includes Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

Canadian PRs can visit these islands without requiring a visa for short stays.

2. Anguilla: PR holders can enter Anguilla without a visa and enjoy the pristine beaches and luxury resorts.

3. Bahamas: The Bahamas offers visa-free entry to Canadian PR holders for tourism and business purposes.

4. Belize: Explore the rich culture and heritage of Belize without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

5. Bermuda: Bermuda welcomes Canadian PR holders for visa-free short visits.

6. British Virgin Islands: These islands provide visa-free access to Canadian PR holders for travel and leisure.

7. Cayman Islands: Enjoy a visa-free vacation in the Cayman Islands with a valid Canadian PR card.

8. Costa Rica: Canadian PRs can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business.

9. Cuba: Experience the vibrant culture and historic cities of Cuba without the need for a visa.

10. Dominican Republic: Canadian PR holders can visit the Dominican Republic visa-free for short stays.

11. El Salvador: Explore the natural beauty and historic landmarks of El Salvador without a visa.

12. Georgia: Canadian PRs can visit Georgia visa-free, known for its diverse landscapes and ancient culture.

13. Guatemala: Guatemala offers visa-free entry to Canadian PR holders for tourism and short visits.

14. Honduras: Discover the rich culture and scenic beauty of Honduras without a visa.

15. Jamaica: Canadian PRs can enjoy a visa-free stay in Jamaica, famous for its beaches and music.

16. Kosovo: Visit the historic and cultural sites of Kosovo visa-free with a Canadian PR card.

17. Mexico: A popular destination for Canadians, Mexico allows visa-free entry for Canadian PR holders.

18. Nicaragua: Canadian PRs can visit Nicaragua without a visa for tourism purposes.

19. Panama: Panama offers visa-free travel for Canadian PR holders, perfect for business or leisure.

20. Peru (Nationals of China or India only): Canadian PR holders who are nationals of China or India can enter Peru without a visa.

21. Qatar: Canadian PRs can visit Qatar visa-free for tourism, business, or transit.

22. Saint Pierre and Miquelon: This French overseas territory offers visa-free entry to Canadian PR holders.

23. Singapore (Nationals of China or India only): PR holders from China or India can enter Singapore visa-free.

24. South Korea: Experience the rich culture and modern cities of South Korea visa-free as a Canadian PR holder.

25. Taiwan: Canadian PR holders can visit Taiwan without requiring a visa for short stays.

26. Turks and Caicos Islands: Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Turks and Caicos without the need for a visa.

Important Considerations for Traveling Visa-Free

While holding a Canadian PR card provides access to many visa-free countries for Canadian PR holders, it’s important to be aware of specific entry requirements and regulations for each destination.

Here are some crucial tips to consider before planning your trip:

• It is advisable to check the official website of the destination country for the latest entry guidelines.
• Some countries may require that your documents be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry.
• Be aware of visa-on-arrival options: In some cases, you may be eligible for a visa on arrival, which is typically a straightforward process at the destination’s airport or border crossing.
• Overstaying your visa-free period can result in fines, deportation, or future travel bans.
• Health and travel insurance: It’s recommended to have adequate health and travel insurance coverage when visiting foreign countries, even if the destination offers visa-free entry.
• Travel advisories: Check for any travel advisories or restrictions issued by the Canadian government or the destination country, especially in light of global events or regional instability.

Achieving permanent residency in Canada is a milestone that not only offers the security and benefits of living in a world-class country but also unlocks new travel opportunities across the globe.

The list of Canadian PR visa-free countries provides a gateway to exploring diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

However, to make the most of these travel freedoms, it’s essential to stay informed about each destination’s entry requirements and regulations.

With the right preparation, your Canadian PR card can be your passport to a world of adventure.

Which countries can Canadian permanent residents visit without a visa?

Canadian permanent residents can enjoy visa-free stays in several countries. In the Caribbean, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, and the Bahamas offer visa-free entry for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days.

In Europe, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova each allow a 90-day visa-free visit. Belize provides a 30-day visa-free entry, while Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Sint Maarten also offer a 30-day visa exemption.

Do Canadian permanent residents need a visa to travel to Europe?

Canadian citizens do not require a visa to travel to countries within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

However, the time spent in the Schengen Area during one stay will be counted towards the 90-day limit if you return within the same 180-day period.

Can Canadian permanent residents travel to the United States without a visa?

Canadian permanent residents, or landed immigrants, are required to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States.

For more information, including details on entry and business travel, Canadian visitors can refer to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.

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Which Countries Can Canadian PR Travel Without Visa?

Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident will open up a world of opportunities in terms of travel. Successfully attaining PR status in Canada means that you no longer have to complete laborious visa application processes to visit certain countries. Fortunately, many of these places are 5-star travel destinations and popular tourist locations, so you’re practically guaranteed a quality trip.

We’ve picked out our favourite visa-free nations to explore and included them in this guide, so now all you’d need to is figure out the logistics. Determine a place to stay when you get there, pick up your PR card and passport, and enjoy your adventure.

TOP 10 COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL TO AS A CANADIAN PR WITH NO VISA

Travelling to Mexico as a Canadian PR is extremely simple and convenient. Arrival into the country is available to all nationalities assuming you have a valid PR card for the entire duration of your stay, along with an up to date passport. The only real restriction that Mexico imposes is a 6 month (180 day) stay limit.

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#2 Costa Rica

Similar to Mexico, this country features very reasonable requirements for Canadian PR status holders. All nationalities are eligible for entry with a PR card and passport. The conditions for visiting Costa Rica are as follows: you can only stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time, and your PR card must be valid for over 6 months.

Panama opens its borders to Canadian PRs of any nationality for up to 3 months (90 days) at a time. Their conditions are slightly more cumbersome than the first two listings, but nothing out of the ordinary. To travel to Panama, your passport must not expire for at least 90 days upon the date of arrival, and any applicable visas (if you have one) must be valid for 180 days. You are also required to provide proof of financial solvency for at least $500 in US dollars.

Much like the countries above, Antigua offers the same all-nationality inclusive policies for Canadian permanent resident cards. The country allows Canadian PR to stay for a full month (30 days) without the need for a Canadian visa. However, it is mandatory to obtain a VOA (Visa on Arrival) once your flight reaches the airport. A VOA in Antigua will cost you $100 in US dollars and is not compatible for multi-entry.

If you happen to own an Indian passport you can travel to the Bahamas for 30 days as a visa-exempt Canadian PR. However, your Canadian permanent residency card must be valid for a minimum of 90 days if leaving from Canada, and 180 days if leaving from a different country.

A highly popular destination for Canadian vacationers, Canadian PR status holders may enter the country for up to 30 days with just a valid PR card. However, you must register for a Cuban Tourist Card which you can acquire from most airline companies prior to boarding, Cuban travel agencies, or Cuban embassies. There is also a minor fee that tourists pay in Cuba.

#7 Dominican Republic

Similar to Cuba, the Dominican Republic allows Canadian permanent residents to stay for 30 days without a visa upon entry. There is however a mandatory $10 US dollar fee per traveler for a Dominican Republic Tourist Card, which is generally included in the cost of airfare. Like most other countries on this list, your passport must not expire for at least 180 days after arrival.

#8 Turks and Caicos

Being a British-claimed territory, this spot is very accessible to Canadians. The islands of Turks and Caicos allow Canadian PRs of all nationalities to visit visa-free for 90 days.

Peru offers a very long stay (up to 6 months) for Canadian PRs without a visa, as long as they own either a Chinese or Indian passport, plus a valid Canadian permanent residency card.

Visiting Qatar is accessible to individuals of any nationality as long as they have a valid Canadian permanent resident card, although it’s not exactly “visa-exempt” in the traditional sense. You’re able to legally stay in Qatar without a Canadian visa for 30 days, but you must apply for a free VOA in Qatar upon arrival. It costs nothing to acquire, but it’s only usable for single-entry.

Three Important Things to Consider Before You Leave

Even though these countries are extending their generosity by providing visa-free travel for Canadian PR status holders, you need to ensure that you’ve covered a few essential pre-travel basics first:

1. As a permanent resident, you need to check to make sure your passport does not expire for a minimum of 180 days before you set out. The last thing you need is being turned away at the airport all because you didn’t renew your passport.

2. Free of visa does not mean free of charge. Some of the countries on this list will include small administration fees once you arrive. There are many different policies surrounding these fees, and because they vary from country to country (likelihood of being waived, fluctuations in cost, etc) it’s best to check with your destination’s embassy beforehand.

3. Last but not least, always confirm your travel requirements if you have any doubts before the flight. This way you can enjoy your stay worry-free!

WHAT IF I AM TRAVELLING AS A US CITIZEN?

Travelling visa-free good enough for the average explorer, but if you’ve seriously caught the travel bug you should consider applying for a Canadian travel visa. At the end of the day, getting a Canadian travel visa comes with numerous benefits and is relatively easy to acquire. Canada is a beautiful country that is definitely worth travelling to if you haven’t yet gone north of the border. If you’re interested in travelling to the Canada, visit Courtenay, one of the best cities to travel and Courtenay also offers best currency exchange rates for tourists and travelers.

Why should I get a Canadian tourist visa?

Quite simply, it’s very easy to get one if you are an American citizen. Unlike the application process for a US visa, Canadian tourist visas do not require an interview to receive. They typically last up to 10 years if your passport does not expire first, and the fee is comparatively minor at only $100 Canadian. In terms of what other visa’ are eligible in Canada, you could put in an application for a V-1 (visitor visa), W-1 (work visa), S-1 (student visa), or a VH-1 (transit visa).

Do permanent residents in Canada need a visa to enter the US?

Yes. If your Canadian documentation only extends as far as permanent residency status and not citizenship, you’ll need to acquire a non-immigrant visa from US officials before you can cross the border. As a side note, it’s usually a good idea to apply for this form well in advance before your departure date to ensure that the results arrive when you need it.

Final Thoughts: Proof of Canadian Permanent  Residency

Don’t forget that you will need to show proof of Canadian PR status twice – once before you travel south into the states, and again to Canadian officials when returning home. Canadian citizens however are allowed to periodically visit the US visa-free as long as they can provide a valid passport along with any supplementary documents.

Before any departure it’s a good idea to stay informed on general travelling terms and conditions. Check out our article on how long you can stay outside of Canada without losing benefits

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Which Countries Can You Travel To On Your Canadian PR Card?

A benefit a lot of Canadian PR holders don’t know about their residence card is that it can provide you visa-free access to a lot of countries!

Travel Eligibility Requirements

Canadian pr card travel countries, issues using pr card.

Here is a list of countries you can travel to visa-free if you have a Canadian PR Card!

• All Dutch Caribbean territories (90 days)
• Anguilla (maximum 3 months)
• Bahamas (maximum 3 months)
• Bermuda (maximum 6 months)
• British Virgin Islands (maximum 6 months)
• Cayman Islands (2 months max) – Must arrive directly from Canada/US
• Costa Rica (maximum 1 month) – Financial proof required
• Cuba (maximum 1 month)
• Dominican Republic (maximum 2 months)
• El Salvador (does not apply to all nationalities)
• Georgia (maximum 6 months)
• Guatemala (does not apply to all nationalities)
• Honduras (does not apply to all nationalities)
• Jamaica (maximum 6 months)
• Kosovo (maximum 15 days)
• Mexico (maximum 6 months)
• Nicaragua (maximum 6 months, does not apply to all nationalities)
• Panama (1 month or 6 months)
• Peru (maximum 6 months for Indian and Chinese nationals)
• Philippines (maximum 1 month)
• Qatar (maximum 1 month)
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon (maximum 3 months)
• South Korea (maximum 1 month when in transit, does not apply to all nationalities)
• Singapore (maximum 3 days visa-free transit, Chinese and Indian citizens only)
• Sint Maarten, Netherlands (maximum 3 months)
• Taiwan (maximum 1 month, online registration mandatory, does not apply to all nationalities)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (maximum 3 months)

Legal Disclaimer – Please note that this list is not comprehensive and is subject to change!

If you are not sure if you can travel visa-free to a country using your Canadian PR card, you should check with the country’s immigration website for the latest information and if any additional requirements need to be met before your travel.

Before you travel make sure you have the following –

• Valid Passport with more than 6 months validity
• Valid Canadian PR card
• Proof to fund your travel
• Round-trip ticket

You must be able to satisfy the immigration officers that you plan to return to your country of residence within the period or they might deny your entry.

It’s important to note that Airport Employees usually won’t be familiar with immigration laws, so do not take their advice but instead follow the guidance only by an immigration officer regarding the rules of their country.

When I visited the UK, I had an instance where the airport employee was giving me wrong information about using PR card for transit but I had no issue with the UK Border Agency for using my PR Card to be eligible for a single day transit .

Have you run into any issues while using your PR card for travel? Feel free to share your experience.

Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.

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6 thoughts on “ Which Countries Can You Travel To On Your Canadian PR Card? ”

Hello, I’m planning to go to Germany for a visit but I’m not sure if I can travel with Canadian pr and Pakistani passport. If you have any information please advise.

In your case, a visa would be required.

my wife and I are planning on a trip to costa rica, i am Canadian w/passport, she is cuban with her cuban passport and valid Canadian permanent resident card, should we be ok with these docs?

Keep return ticket and proof of funds with you.

You should be good with the documents.

I have a Canadian PR card and would like to visit Switzerland as a tourist. I am an Indian National. Do I require Schengen visa and how do I apply to get one. Please advise

Yes you would need a Schengen visa for tourism purposes. https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/india/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa [2024 Edition]

Updated: March 23, 2024 230 Comments

I always encourage my readers to get their US visas at some point. Having a US visa will open up many doors. Of course, you can travel to the US, but you can also travel to 53 countries VISA-FREE with US visa .

But, many fear that the US visa is the most difficult to get.

Well, there is an alternative – CANADA VISA.

Canada visa is the second-best visa. You can travel 38 countries VISA-FREE with Canada visa.

The best thing about a Canada visa is that there is NO VISA INTERVIEW.

The US visa interview process is frightening to many. If you have been to one, you would know what I mean. The high security at the consulate, lining up in the street outside the building, intimidating visa officers, questions that you were not prepared for, and the list goes on.

If you do not have a US consulate in your city, you have to travel to the nearest city where the US consulate is. The visa fee itself is quite steep and on top of that, these travel expenses can add up.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Why should you get a Canada tourist visa?

Though a Canada visa doesn’t offer as much VISA-FREE travel as a US visa, a Canada visa has its advantages.

• Canada visa application has no visa interview.
• Canada tourist visa is also a long-term visa. Usually issued for 10 years or until the expiration of your passport.
• The fee for Canada tourist visa is much lesser. It’s only 100 CAD.
• India and China passport holders can even take advantage of the CAN+ expedited program.
• Last but not least, Canada itself is a beautiful country. Have you ever seen the pictures of Banff National Park? Just Google it. It’s spectacular. That’s just one example. The country is vast, diverse and a nature lover’s paradise. It’s also culturally diverse and the people are the most polite in the world.

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Which Canada visas are eligible?

Depending on the country, any of the below Canada visas can be used.

• Canada Visitor Visa (V-1)
• Canada Work Visa (W-1)
• Canada Student Visa (S-1 and SW-1)
• Canada Transit Visa (VH-1)

Refer to each country below for permitted Canada visa types. Some countries require the Canada visa to be multiple entries and have been used at least once to travel to Canada.

A Canadian PR card can also be to used for some of these countries. However, some countries only accept Canadian visas. Refer to my article on VISA-FREE countries for Canadian PR holders for more information.

North America

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Canada visas
• Entry granted: Varies depending on the itinerary
• Entry rule: Canada visa must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration in Mexico

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a US visa in 2024

Central America

• Entry granted: 30 days
• Official source: Consulate of Belize in Alberta, Canada

04. Costa Rica

• Permitted visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry Canada visas – visitor, work and study only
• Canada visitor visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Canada student/work visas must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience : I entered Costa Rica at San Jose airport with my India passport and Canada visa. The immigration procedure at the airport took about 10 minutes due to the long lines. I was given only a 15-day entry.

05. El Salvador

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 90 days total in the entire CA-4 zone (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua)
• If entering by air, a fee of 12 USD will be charged for a tourist card
• If you have already entered Guatemala or Honduras, you can enter El Salvador from Guatemala or Honduras by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement
• Official source: IATA Travel Centre

06. Guatemala

• Côte d´Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: If you have already entered Honduras or El Salvador, you can enter Guatemala from Honduras or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala

07. Honduras

• Cote d’Ivoire
• South Sudan
• Canada visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• If you have already entered Guatemala or El Salvador, you can enter Honduras from Guatemala or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 

08. Nicaragua

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 50 USD, payable in USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Besides the VOA fee, there is a 10 USD tourist card fee, 2 USD land border migration fee (for land border only) and 1 USD municipality tax (for land border only) (payable in USD only)
• Permitted visas: All valid USED multiple-entry Canada visas
• Canada visa must have been used at least once to enter Canada before
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Official source: Consulate of Panama in Toronto, Canada

RELATED: 43 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2024

10. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: Anguilla Tourist Board, entry requirements

11. Antigua and Barbuda

• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

13. Bahamas

• Eligible nationalities: India passport holders only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

14. Bermuda (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Canada visa must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

15. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

16. british virgin islands (british territory).

• Entry granted: 180 days
• Entry rule: Canada visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Government of the Virgin Islands (British)

17. Cayman Islands (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Must arrive directly from Canada
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

18. Curaçao

19. dominican republic.

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Canada visas, except VH-1 (transit)
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must purchase a Tourist Card on arrival for 20 USD. If arriving by air, the tourist card is included in the airfare. 
• Official source: Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: A tourist fee of 10 USD must be paid on arrival at the airport

21. Jamaica

• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

22. Sint Maarten

23. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2024

South America

• Entry rule: Canada visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival 
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: 18 countries you can visit VISA-FREE with an Australian visa or PR in 2024

25. Armenia

• Marshall Islands
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Visa must be a sticker on the passport, E-visa prints are not accepted
• Passport must be valid during the entire stay in Armenia
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

26. Georgia

• Canada visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

27. Moldova

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: Canada visa must be valid for the intended period of stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

28. Montenegro

• Official source: Government of Montenegro

29. North Macedonia

• Entry granted: 15 days
• Canada visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6 months period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia

30. United Kingdom

• Entry granted: 24 hours only (Transit Without Visa)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to request a 24-hour entry at London (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) airports
• You must be traveling to or from Canada only
• Must arrive and depart by air only
• Must hold the boarding pass for the onward flight
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or the next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Official source: GOV.UK

RELATED: 13 VISA-FREE Countries You Can Visit with New Zealand Visa or PR in 2024

Middle East

• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVIsa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVIsa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for A3 Visa online on the Hayya portal
• A3 Visa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• Canada visa must be valid on the day of the A3 Visa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourism Board

00. Egypt (no longer accepting Canadain visas)

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but is eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is 25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Canada visa must have been used to enter Canada at least once
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

33. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• Canada visa must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry Canada RESIDENT visas such as student, work, etc
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Japan eVisa
• EVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry only
• Must submit proof of residence to prove that you reside in those countries
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• IMPORTANT: Canadian TOURIST visas are NOT accepted. You must provide proof of residence in Canada to apply for eVisa.
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

35. Philippines

• Entry granted: 14 days
• Canada visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

36. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• Canada visa must be valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

37. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 nationalities – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from Canada through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid/expired used/unused multiple-entry Canada visas
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online before arrival
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED Canada visa, the visa must have expired within the last 10 years
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)

RELATED: How to book flight tickets with 24 hour FREE cancellation on Expedia – A step-by-step guide

There you have it! List of 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa. If you don’t have a Canada visa, it’s time to apply for one and add another 38 to your list of VISA-FREE countries.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) that offers visa exemption for Canada visa holders? Let me know in the comments below.

Change History

For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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230 Comments

March 20, 2024 at 8:49 pm

I got denied to board to fly to Egypt even-though I have Canadian visa. I think the problems here are the immigration change the regulations many times, and Egypt it self still not giving any explanation.

Thirumal Motati says

March 23, 2024 at 5:17 am

Hi YVR! I’m sorry that happened to you. The diplomatic relations between Egypt and Canada were severed last year. Because of that, Egypt imposed visas on Canadian citizens since October last year. But they still allowed Canadian visas for non-Canadians to obtain VOA. But looks like they have removed Canada visas completed from their VOA list. I will check with the authorities and update the list accordingly. Again, I’m sorry for what happened to you and I appreciate for updating us. Thanks!

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Which Countries Can Canadian Permanent Resident Travel without Visa

A permanent resident (PR) refers to an individual who immigrates to Canada and obtains permanent residency status. They are not Canadian citizen, but nationals of another country or stateless. Being a PR means you can enjoy most public benefits like Canadian citizens, including traveling to some countries without applying for a visa. In this passage, we are going to talk about the rights of Canadian PRs, requirements of traveling outside the country, and visa-free countries for Canadian PR card holders.

Benefits of Being a Canada Permanent Resident

As a Canadian PR, you are eligible to:

• access most citizenship benefits in Canada, such as social insurance and healthcare insurance as an employee. For example, permanent residents can look forward to a huge reduction in educational costs and access to financial aid.
• live, work or study in any place within Canada without extra visas
• apply for Canadian citizenship (if eligible)
• enjoy protection under Canadian laws and regulations
• Obtain visa-free travel to 20+ countries

However, a PR is not allowed to vote, campaign for political office or take a position with a high level of security clearance.

Travelling Outside Canada as a Permanent Resident

Canadian permanent residents who travel outside the country must show a valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) on the returning trip whether they are taking a commercial vehicle (e.g. airplane, bus, boat, train or bus) or private vehicle (e.g. self-owned, borrowed or rented car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle).

If you don’t have the card or it has expired, please apply for or renew it before departure. Please note that only when you are in Canada can you get the card.

If you are outside Canada and don’t have a (valid) card, please obtain a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), which can be done through the permanent residence portal or a local visa application center (VAC) .

If your card hasn’t arrived before your trip, please request a PRTD from another country before returning.

Canadian Permanent Resident Visa Application Process

You can apply for a Canadian PR card through Express Entry program if you have received an invitation. After receiving the invitation, you can fill out the the application form and upload required documents. Documents including police certificates, proof of fund, proof of relationship to a relative in Canada, digital PR photo and any other document relevant to application should be submitted. Then pay your biometric fees and submit the complete application. Plus, programs such as Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Quebec Immigration Investment Program provide paths to permanent resident.

🔎 Related Posts :

Canada Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway

How to Convert Canada Visitor Visa to Work Permit in 2024

How Many Countries Can Canadian PR Travel without Visa?

Canadian PR holders can travel 35 countries without visa in 2024. You should prepare required documents before the travel. To access visa-free travel, you need to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident card, a valid passport from your country. Plus, you must be from an eligible nationality and follow entry requirements.

Which Countries Can Canadian Permanent Resident Travel Without Visa

Although permanent residents don’t have a Canadian passport , they are also welcome in some countries without a visa like Canadian citizens. In this section, we will introduce more than 20 visa-free countries for Canadian PR.

• All Dutch Caribbean Territories

It refers to previous or current territories, colonies, and countries of the Dutch Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Maarten, and St Eustatius islands. Canadian PRs are allowed to enter these areas with a valid PR card and passport and without a visa. You can stay up to 90 days (3 months) upon arrival.

Holders of Canadian PR cards are not required to request a visa to enter Anguilla and stay for a maximum of 90 days, but they have to present a valid passport from their country of origin.

Permanent residents of Canada can stay in the country for 30 days at most without visas while citizens of Canada are given a 8-month stay. Travelers are required to show a valid passport from their country of origin, an original copy of Canadian PR card, and a returning ticket. Please note that your travel document must have at least 3 months of validity period (for direct travel) or 6 months (for transiting through other countries) after leaving the Bahamas.

People in possession of a PR Card from Canada are exempt from a Belize entry visa to stay up to 30 days as long as they provide valid travel documents, a completed application form, and an itinerary.

Any residents from Canada enjoy a 180-day visa-free visit to this beautiful island, but passports and returning tickets are required.

• The British Virgin Islands

They include the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, as well as another 50 smaller islands and cays. Its visa-exemption policy applies to Canadian residents to stay within 180 days (6 months). Passports or travel documents of Canada should have at least 6 months of validity period from the date of traveling and 2 blank sheets. Additionally, a travel itinerary and proof of funds are also requested.

Costa Rica was added to Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) program in 2023. That is to say, Costa Rica citizens can apply for an eTA instead of a visa when flying to Canada. This country also allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and student or work visa holders to enter without a visa. For PRs, they can stay for 30 days as long as their passport of original nationality and the PR card must have at least 6 months of validity. Moreover, they have to prove that they can afford at least US$100 of expenses per person per month in Costa Rica, they have booked a ticket to leave the country and they are not impeded entry.

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can enter Cuba without a visa, but with a valid passport, PR card, and tourist card which can be obtained at the airline counter or while onboarding.

• Dominican Republic

Any residents with legal status in Canada, including citizens and PRs, are allowed to visit the country without a visa. No visa is required when staying within 30 days.

• El Salvador

Foreign travelers with Canadian permanent residency status do not need a visa to enter El Salvador. The maximum period of stay is 90 days.

Canada citizens can take a visa-free trip to Georgia for the purpose of traveling and stay for 365 days while a valid Canadian visa or permanent residence permit holders can stay for 90 days during a 180-day period.

Citizens of 83 “Category A” countries with Canadian PR cards can visit Guatemala without a visa and stay for 90 days. These countries include the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and most European countries. Make sure your passport is valid for no less than 6 months and have more than 1 blank sheet.

Canadian residents can travel to Honduras without a visa for up to 90 days.

Canadian residents who can present a Canadian Permanent Resident Card and a passport of origin (with 6 months of validity) can stay in Jamaica for 180 days without visas. Make sure to prove you have enough funds to support your trip.

All foreign visitors with a valid permanent resident card from Canada, despite their nationalities, do not require a Mexican visa for no more than a 180-day stay for the purpose of tour, transit, business, technical activities, or study. They have to present a valid passport or travel document (no minimum period of validity required), a completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) provided by the airline, and a statement of their trip.

Citizens of the U.K., U.S., Scandinavia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and the European Union, with Canadian PR cards, can obtain a tourist card, rather than a visa, to stay in Nicaragua for 90 days.

Canadian permanent residents from visa-waiver countries can enter Panama and stay for 30 days or 180 days depending on their country of origin.

Canadian PRs are exempt from visas to travel to Qatar. The maximum stay is 30 days. Please make sure you have a passport valid for at least 3 months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

• Saint Maarten

If you are a Canadian PR cardholder, you can travel to Saint Maarten without a visa, and you can stay within the country for 3 months (that is 90 days) maximum.

• South Korea

Canadian PR cardholders are allowed to visit South Korea without a visa and stay for 30 days in transit. Please note that not all nationals are eligible for the visa-free policy.

Canadian PR cardholders can enter Taiwan with online registration and without a visa and stay for 30 days. Please note that this visa waiver rule applies to limited nationalities, such as the EU, the United States, Australia, Japan, China, etc.

• Turks and Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands visa is not a must if you hold resident visas from Canada, and your passport must not expire within 6 months upon arrival. Feel free to stay for 90 days.

Canadian PR holders can travel to Moldova for business, tourism or transit stays for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

As of Feb 2024, Canadian citizens or permanent resident holders do not require a visa to to enter Jordan. You can stay in Jordan for 90 days.

Canadian permanent resident can enter Morocco for tourism or business purposes without a visa. You can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Remember to bring valid passport and show proof of onward travel.

• Saint Pierre and Miquelon

As a Canadian PR holder, you can visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon without visa or passport, and stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, ensure that you have prepared a valid Photo ID card. You may also need to present proof of onward or return travel.

Canadian permanent residents should carry PR card that is valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival can travel Singapore for 96 hours (4 days). Visa is not exempt but they are eligible to get visa free transit facility (VFTF) up on arrival. Plus, they must be traveling to or from a third country such as Canada, China or India only. Flights arriving and departing from Singapore must be on the same itinerary.

Tips for Canadian PR Traveling Visa-Free

Canadian PR holder are eligible to travel visa free to 35 countries around the world. To make the most of this privilege, it’s important to plan ahead and check the entry requirements for destination country. Be sure to check the official government websites of target countries, such as preparing a valid passport with at least six month validity. Plus, consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical and emergency expenses, and any specific requirements for the countries you plan to visit.

More importantly, stay informed about local laws and customs, and be respectful for cultures and traditions of the countries you visit. Finally, take advantage of resources like the Government of Canada’s Travel advice and advisories to stay up-to-date on travel warnings and advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i travel to usa with a canadian pr card.

Canadian permanent residents can travel to the USA with a valid PR card if they also have a nonimmigrant visa, or if they are from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participating country, meet all VWP requirements, and are entering the USA for 90 days or less. Permanent residents are not automatically eligible to enter the USA without a visa under the VWP – only Canadian citizens can benefit from the VWP without a visa.

Can Canadian Permanent Resident Work in USA?

Canadian citizen or PR holders who want to work in USA must have a job offer from USA employer. The type of work authorization depends on your education, employment situation and type of work you will be doing in the USA.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Canada PR Card?

It typically takes around 6 months to get a Permanent Resident card after landing in Canada as a new PR. This includes the time for biometrics appointment and processing. You must be in Canada when applying for the permanent resident card. Express and priority services are available for faster processing.

Can I Move to Canada without Job?

Yes, it is possible to immigrate to Canada without having arranged employment first. Many economic immigrant programs like Express Entry do not require a job offer to qualify and get PR status. However, having a job offer adds more points to your immigration eligibility score. Once in Canada, you can then search for employment even if you did not have a job when immigrating.

Can I Visit Europe with Canadian PR Card?

Yes, you can travel Europe visa free as permanent resident card holder. It allows you to stay for up to 90 days for tourism, business or short term study. However, from 2025, Canadian passport or PR holders will need a valid ETIAS visa to travel Schengen Area.

After reading this passage, you must have been clear about the benefits of Canadian permanent residents. If you are traveling outside Canada, it is requested to hold a PR card or permanent resident travel document when returning the country. In terms of the question – which countries can Canadian permanent resident travel without visa , there are 35 countries and regions on the list, covering Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. The visa-free duration of stay ranges from 30 days to 180 days. We believe that the list will keep updating. Most countries require you to hold a passport and a PR card for entry. Make sure your travel document has at least 3 or 6 months of validity depending on your destination countries.

Change History:

If you are interested in changes of eligible countries, check the change history here:

By Dolores Xiao

I am a content creator and marketer with over 5 years of professional writing experience. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications and have a natural curiosity about technology, as evidenced by my technology blog. As an avid traveler, I draw upon adventures in over 10 countries to inject unique cultural perspectives into my articles and social media campaigns. I thrive on developing engaging content that informs and inspires audiences.

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Canada introducing visa-free travel to 13 countries

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship , visited Winnipeg today for an announcement regarding visa-free travel.

Passport holders from 13 countries will now be able to travel to Canada by air without requiring a Temporary Residence Visa. However, this applies only to travellers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.  Eligible travellers include passport holders from:

• Philippines
• Antigua and Barbuda
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Fraser says Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been working to make the pretravel screening process easier, faster, and more affordable. He says this decision will divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing IRCC to process visa applications more efficiently.

A similar pilot program was introduced in Brazil in 2017. The minister says that the program was successful in increasing visitors from Brazil by 40% and reducing the caseload in IRCC's Sao Paulo office by 60%, freeing IRCC officers to work on more complex applications.

Visa-free travel to Canada

There are more than 50 countries that can enter Canada without a visa, although most require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they are arriving by air.

United States citizens do not require an eTA or a visa to enter Canada unless they are moving to Canada to work or study.

Nationals of countries that are not exempt from obtaining a visa, must apply for a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa.

A TRV allows an individual to visit Canada for a period of six months (although this may differ for some foreign nationals).

Arriving in Canada with a TRV does not give the holder permission to work or study in Canada and they may be asked to demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is only temporary (such as tourism or visiting family) at their port of entry.

IRCC is currently working through a backlog of TRV applications. The latest backlog data from IRCC shows that 50% of TRV applications are not being processed within service standards, which is 14 days.

Minister Fraser has said TRV applications were impacted by the recent strike by the Public Service Alliance of Canada . The 12-day strike lasted from April 19 until May 1 and Fraser told reporters that there were 100,000 applications not processed during that period that otherwise would have been. He also said that he expects IRCC will be able to catch up to pre-pandemic processing standards within the coming weeks, or a few months.

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Travelling with a permanent resident card

The Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada .

This wallet-sized plastic card is used by all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus). If you leave the country, you are expected to have this card when you return to Canada.

Check the expiry date of your Permanent Resident Card before you plan to travel outside Canada.

Most Permanent Resident Cards expire every five years, while some expire after one year. Check the expiry date and apply for a new one well before you plan to travel outside Canada.

Who can apply

You can apply for a Permanent Resident Card if you:

• Have permanent resident status
• Are physically present in Canada
• Are not a Canadian citizen  
• Are not under an effective removal order
•  Have not been convicted of an offense related to the misuse of a Permanent Resident Card

If you become a Canadian citizen, you do not need a Permanent Resident Card.

How to apply

The information on this page is for you if:

• You need to apply for your first Permanent Resident Card  (see “Arriving” section below)
• You need to replace an expired (or due to expire), lost, stolen, or damaged Permanent Resident Card
• You require urgent processing of your Permanent Resident Card application

You will need to gather certain documents in order to apply for a Permanent Resident Card. Collect these documents as early as possible, especially if you plan to travel soon.

If you are outside of Canada without a valid Permanent Resident Card, you will need a Travel document to return to Canada.

If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your Permanent Resident Card by mail after you arrive in Canada as part of the immigration process. You do not need to apply for a Permanent Resident Card.

If you did not provide a mailing address when you were granted permanent resident status , or you have since moved, please update your mailing address .

You have 180 days to provide your new mailing address from the date you were granted permanent resident status.

If you do not provide a mailing address within the 180 days, you will not receive your Permanent Resident Card. You will then need to send Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) an application for a Permanent Resident Card and pay a fee of Can$50.

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Applying for Your Canadian PR Card

If you are a new permanent resident then you won’t need to apply for a PR card; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send one to your Canadian mailing address. Once you’ve immigrated to Canada you have 180 days to send your address to the IRCC.

If you don’t send your Canadian address in time, then you will need to apply for the PR card.

Processing Times

The processing time for your PR card will depend on the type of Canadian immigration program you applied for permanent residency through. The time can range anywhere between 14 to 27 months. It also depends if you are a first time applicant or if you applied for a Canadian PR Card renewal.

Eligibility

Ensure you meet the requirements before applying for a PR card:

• You must be a Canadian permanent resident
• Be currently living in the country
• Not hold Canadian citizenship

The processing fee is $50. You must be able to pay online. The Canadian government does not accept any other form of payment for this process. You can print the receipt of this transaction and attach it to your physical application before submitting your application.

While most PR cards are valid for five years, some are only valid for one year. You will see the expiry date printed on the card. Make sure to apply for a Canadian PR Card renewal six to nine months before expiration.

4 Easy Steps To Apply For Your PR Card

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Losing Your PR Card

If your card has been lost, destroyed or stolen then you’ll need to contact the IRCC and inform them immediately. This is so that they can prevent your card from being used by another person. You can inform the IRCC by following the instructions online. You can then apply for a new card which is a lot like the Canadian PR Card renewal application.

Renewing an Expire PR Card

If your PR card expires, you still retain your permanent residency status. However, for travel purposes or to access certain benefits and services in your province you may need to renew or replace it. If your card has expired or expires in the next 9 months, you will need to renew it before you travel.

Let us help You Get Permanent Residency

There are many ways to get Canadian Permanent Residency. In fact, there are more than 100 visa and immigration routes. Let our professional RCICs assist you in finding the right path to Canadian PR for you

Watch our video on everything you need to know about PR cards

How do I fix a mistake on my PR card?

If your name or other important information is missing or incorrect, the issue can be fixed. Simply apply for a re-issue of your PR card.

How will I receive my PR card?

The Canadian government will send you your Canadian PR Card in the post. However, if you are renewing or replacing an existing PR card you may have to pick it up at your nearest IRCC office. They’ll contact you to schedule an appointment to go pick up your card.

How can I avoid delays or refusals?

Make sure you fill out and sign the application form correctly and attach all the relevant documentation found on the document checklist. You should remember to pay online and include your receipt with your submission.

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Canada Immigration: Explore Your PR Visa Options | CanadaVisa

Canada has set a target of welcoming 500,000 new immigrants by 2025..

Canada offers one of the world's most open and dynamic immigration systems. There are over 100 different Canadian immigration pathways for skilled workers, business people, and families. This comprehensive CanadaVisa page helps you explore which options may be best for you.

Contact Cohen Immigration Law for Assistance

Table of contents, why does canada need immigrants, why do canadians support immigration, skilled worker immigration pathways.

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec Immigration
• Atlantic Immigration Program

Other Federal Skilled Worker Programs

Business Immigration

Moving to canada from the u.s..

• Family Class Sponsorship

Find the Right Canadian Immigration Program

• Helpful Canada Immigration Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you want to immigrate to Canada? Then you have come to the right place. CanadaVisa will help you figure out how you can make your Canada dream come true.

People choose to immigrate to Canada for many reasons. Whether it’s to pursue a high-quality education, to feel secure with free universal healthcare, or to benefit from Canada’s high quality of life, Canada’s got it all.

There are over 100 different ways to immigrate to Canada. For that reason, everyone’s path to Canadian immigration will be unique.

For example, there are many different ways for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canada Immigration permanent resident visa. The most prominent option is through Express Entry , which is Canada's main pathway for economic class skilled workers. Your best bet to be eligible under Express Entry is to meet the requirements of either the  Federal Skilled Worker Program  (FSWP) or  Canadian Experience Class  (CEC). Canada's second largest pathway for skilled workers is the  Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Nearly every province and territory operates the PNP so they can select immigrants that meet the needs of their local job markets. The third major option is immigrating to the province of Quebec , which operates notable pathways such as the  Quebec Skilled Worker Program  and the Quebec Experience Class . 

If you want to obtain Canadian permanent residence as a business immigrant , you have a number of options such as the  Federal Self-Employed Program , the Start-up Visa, and entrepreneur programs operated under the PNP and by Quebec.

Canada offers a number of family class sponsorship programs. Through these programs, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor family members and loved ones for Canadian immigration.

LGBTQ2 individuals and couples are afforded the same rights and opportunities as other persons when it comes to immigration to Canada.

Complete our FREE assessment to find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada

Canada welcomes immigrants under three classes: the economic class, family class, and refugee and humanitarian class.

Skilled workers are welcomed under the economic class to support Canada’s high living standards. Canada has an aging population and low birth rate which is why most of the immigrants it welcomes are skilled workers. Canada needs these skilled workers to support its labour force and economic growth. These skilled workers arrive with strong language skills, work experience, and education, and desire to succeed. Hence, they play a vital role in Canada’s efforts to support economic growth and social services such as education and universal health care.

The second largest immigrant class arrives through family sponsorship. Canada welcomes the loved ones of Canadian citizens and permanent residents since strong families are the bedrock of Canada’s society and economy. Allowing close family members to build a life in Canada provides families with the emotional support they need to thrive in the country’s society and economy.

The third largest class are welcomed as refugees and for humanitarian purposes. As one of the world’s most privileged nations, Canada has a moral obligation to provide safety to those fleeing persecution and other hardship, and Canada has a long tradition since the end of the Second World War of demonstrating humanitarian leadership. In 1986, the United Nations awarded the people of Canada the Nansen Medal, which is the UN's highest honour for those who demonstrate excellence in helping refugees. Canada remains the first and only country to receive the Nansen Medal.

One of the most unique things about Canada is it reports some of the strongest levels of public support for immigration in the world. Since the early 1990s, public support for immigration in Canada has steadily increased. Today, some 80 per cent of Canadians agree that immigration is beneficial to the economy. The strong public support allows the Canadian government to target the arrival of 500,000 new immigrants per year.

Public support for immigration in Canada is due to the following factors:

History: Canada has a history of immigration. British and French settlers joined Canada's Indigenous peoples to build the country. Since Canada's Confederation in 1867, it has welcomed millions of immigrants from all corners of the globe. Hence, other than Canada's Indigenous peoples, all Canadians are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants. As the saying goes at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, "A Canadian is an immigrant with seniority."

Geography: Canada is able to exercise great control over who enters the country since it is surrounded by vast bodies of water and only shares its border with one country, the United States. The strong control allows Canada to screen people before they enter the country to make sure they meet Canada's policy goals.

Policy: Canada invests billions of dollars each year in welcoming immigrants and providing them with settlement supports such as job training. In addition, Canada invests billions on education, health care, infrastructure, and other important areas to keep living standards high for Canadians and immigrants.

Politics: Canada's largest cities and provinces have high levels of immigration. Politicians need support from immigrants in order to win democratic elections.

Under its Immigration Levels Plan , Canada aims to welcome well over 400,000 immigrants every year. Some 60 per cent of these immigrants arrive as skilled workers. The main way skilled workers can immigrate to Canada is through the Express Entry application management system. The second main way is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), followed by Quebec’s skilled worker programs, and then a few other targeted federal programs.

Skilled Workers Can Move to Canada with their Family

Skilled workers can also bring close family members with them to Canada. These family members also gain permanent resident status. 

Close family members include:

• your spouse or common-law partner
• dependent children
• dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner
• dependent children of dependent children

Dependent children are:

• under 22 years old and not a spouse or common law partner
• 22 years of age or older, depended significantly on financial support from their parents before the age of 22 and can not support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition

Express Entry is Canada’s main way of managing skilled worker applications through the three main economic class immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Candidates who are eligible for Express Entry can upload their profile onto the federal government’s website.

Candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on criteria such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience.

Approximately every two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.

IRCC aims to process permanent residence applications in six months or less.

Under its Immigration Levels Plan, Canada seeks to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants through Express Entry each year.

Find out more about Express Entry

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Canada’s provinces and territories can nominate people who wish to immigrate to Canada and reside in a particular province. Canada seeks to welcome over 100,000 immigrants per year under the PNP.

All provinces and territories, except for Quebec and Nunavut, has its own PNP. Each province determines its own criteria for choosing eligible candidates. PNPs operate Expression of Interest (EOI) systems, similar to Express Entry, and invite the highest scoring candidates in regular draws.

You do not need to have an Express Entry profile to apply. You can apply directly to a PNP stream. These are called ‘base’ streams.

You can also apply to PNP streams that are aligned with Express Entry. These are called ‘enhanced’ streams. The benefit of applying to an enhanced stream is that it gives you more options.

Receiving a provincial nomination through these streams awards Express Entry candidates an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This practically guarantees receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Learn more about the PNP

The province of Quebec has its own immigration system with its own selection criteria that is separate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) programs and also separate from the PNP. Applicants who are selected to immigrate to Quebec are given a Quebec Selection Certificate , or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) . This is a document that is issued by Quebec’s Immigration Ministry.

You are able to apply for a CSQ through one of Quebec’s immigration programs.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Quebec and become permanent residents of Canada.

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is popular among international students who have completed their post-secondary education in Quebec. This program is also for foreign skilled workers with work experience in the province.

Quebec also boasts  business immigration programs aimed at entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who wish to run a business in Quebec, as well as those who want to obtain permanent residence in the province as immigrant investors.

Explore Quebec Immigration

Atlantic Canada has its own immigration program called the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The AIP that allows employers to attract and retain foreign talent. Atlantic Canada includes four provinces:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

Employers who wish to benefit from the AIP must find a suitable candidate and offer them a job. They do not need to conduct a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Once the candidate accepts the offer, the employer must connect the candidate with a designated organization that will help him or her develop a settlement plan. Employers who wish to quickly fill the position may also have access to a temporary work permit.

Read More on the AIP

Additional targeted federal skilled worker programs exist that help certain immigration candidates gain permanent residence. The additional federal programs include:

• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
• Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
• Home Child Care Provider Pilot
• Home Support Worker Pilot

The RNIP allows small and remote communities across Canada to attract and retain foreign workers. Participating communities take the lead in attracting new immigrants and matching them with suitable jobs. 

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence to eligible temporary foreign workers in the Agriculture and Agri-Food industry. In order to be eligible, candidates need to have completed 12 months of work experience, hold a high school diploma and meet minimum language requirements.

The remaining immigration programs provide pathways to permanent residence for foreign caregivers, including childcare providers and home support workers. Caregivers are required to have at least two years of work experience relevant to the program they are applying for. 

Business people have several options that may allow you to fast-track the Canadian immigration process.

For example, you may be able to immigrate to Canada through the Federal Start-Up Visa Program , or the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program .

If you wish to immigrate to Quebec, the province also has its own business immigration programs. Many PNP streams also have immigration streams specifically for entrepreneurs and other business people.

Discover your Business Immigration Options

If you are a U.S. citizens or resident, you have plenty of options to consider if you wish to live in Canada. Many move north to Canada from the U.S. each year to work, study or immigrate. Learn how you can be among them by visiting our dedicated page for those in the U.S.

Candidates who wish to work in Canada can choose between various options depending on their situation. For example, there is a facilitated process to help U.S. citizens work in Canada temporarily under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) which is formerly known as NAFTA. The agreement also helps with intra-company transfers as well as CUSMA traders and investors.

Candidates who have a spouse or common-law partner in the U.S. may sponsor them to come to Canada. In addition, U.S. citizens and residents have many options if they wish to immigrate to Canada to start a new business or purchase an already existing business.

 Learn about Moving to Canada from the U.S

The Canadian government is committed to keeping families together. As such, Canada aims to welcome over 100,000 new immigrants every year to join their family. 

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or common-law partners , parents and grandparents , and dependent children .

You will need to sign an 'undertaking' in order to sponsor your family. This means that you will be financially responsible for the person you will sponsor. For example, if they require social assistance, you may have to pay it back.

For parents and grandparents, there is also the Super Visa program  option.

Explore Family Class Sponsorship

I am a skilled worker

Your best options are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through Express Entry
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry
• Quebec Skilled Worker Program (if you wish to reside in Quebec)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry (if you specialize in a trade)
• Consider other federal programs

Canada values your education and work experience and takes it into consideration for many of its Canadian immigration programs. There are many immigration programs that you may be eligible for. Many of these programs assign a point value for your education. You may receive more points if you have an advanced degree such as a Master’s or a PhD.

Candidates for Canadian immigration who have at least one year of skilled work experience are deemed more likely to be able to integrate into the Canadian labour market. Once again, many programs assign a point value for your work experience. You may receive additional points for more work experience, depending on the program.

Learn more about Skilled Immigration

I have a job offer in Canada

Congratulations on receiving your job offer. The next step now is to make sure you obtain your visa before traveling to Canada.

You may be eligible for a number of programs. You may receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under Canada’s Express Entry system if you have a job offer.

In addition, there may be provincial programs for those with a job offer in a given province.

I have friends or family in Canada

If you have a family member or a close relative in Canada, you might be able to obtain Canadian permanent residence under a Family Class program .

If you have a friend already living in Canada, this may provide you with an option through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that awards points for having a close connection the province. For example, if you have a friend living in Manitoba who is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, you may receive an additional points under the Manitoba Skilled Worker Immigration Stream .

In addition, when applying under Express Entry , you receive additional points if you have a sibling living in Canada at the time of applying, provided the sibling is over 18 years old.

I have worked or studied in Canada

If you have worked in Canada for at least one year, you may be eligible to apply for the Canadian Experience Class under Canada’s Express Entry system. You will also receive additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for your Canadian work experience if you are eligible under the Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Foreign Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

If your work experience was in Quebec, you may be eligible through the Quebec Experience Class.

• Quebec Experience Class

In addition, having Canadian experience opens up many immigration opportunities. Various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams reward those with work experience in Canada.

I have a business that I own or manage

If you owned or managed a business, this may help you to be eligible for several Provincial Nominee Program Business Immigration streams, or for the Business Investor and Entrepreneur programs offered by the governments of Canada and Quebec .

I have a high net worth

If you have a high net worth and wish to continue your career or invest in Canada, there are several Canadian immigration opportunities that might be available to you. These programs are designed to help enrich the Canadian economy by asking you to make an investment in the government of Canada or Quebec, or to use your management or business ownership experience to operate a business in Canada or Quebec.

Many provinces offer business or investment streams under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Moreover, you may be interested in the Business Investor and Entrepreneur Immigration programs. These programs are operated by the federal or Quebec governments and offer excellent opportunities for obtaining Canadian permanent resident status through investment or entrepreneurship.

Helpful Canada Immigration Resources

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Website

IRCC's website  provides information on all of Canada's permanent and temporary visa pathways. It also has FAQs, contact information, and the forms you need to submit your Canadian immigration application. 

2. CanadaVisa.com Forum

The CanadaVisa.com Forum is the largest Canadian immigration discussion board in the world, with millions of visitors each year and hundreds of thousands of members. The Forum contains sections on all aspects of Canadian immigration.

3. CanadaVisa Tools and Resources

CanadaVisa offers many additional tools and resources to support your immigration journey. These include: 

• Immigration Assessment Form: Find out if you are eligible for skilled worker immigration.
• Express Entry CRS Calculator: Calculate your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
• Improve your Express Entry CRS Score: Learn how you can maximize your CRS score.
• Canada PNP Finder: Learn more about all of Canada's Provincial Nominee Program streams.
• Family Sponsorship: Discover Canadian family class sponsorship options.
• Canada Work Permits: Read our section on how to work in Canada on a temporary basis.
• Canada Study Options : Learn how to study in Canada as an international student.
• cicnews.com:  Find the latest Canada immigration news.
• Contact Cohen Immigration Law: Ask our law firm your questions about Canadian immigration.

1. How do I immigrate to Canada?

There are over 100 different pathways to immigrate to Canada. If you wish to find out which way is suitable for your specific situation, you are invited to fill out our free assessment form.

2. What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?

The easiest way to immigrate to Canada will depend on your specific situation. The easiest way to immigrate for one person may be difficult for another. Many potential candidates are quick to give up if they find out they are not eligible for a popular immigration pathway such as Express Entry. However, Canada has more than 100 immigration pathways. If you’re not eligible for one specific pathway, you may be eligible for another. This page is built to help you begin your Canada journey. Start shortlisting potential immigration pathways based on your specific situation. Do you have a degree or diploma? Do you have work experience? Are you looking to start a business? There’s something for everyone.

3. What is permanent residence in Canada?

Permanent resident status in Canada gives you the ability to live in Canada permanently, provided you stay in Canada for two years every five years. In addition, you will be granted the same rights as Canadian citizens, except the ability to vote or run for office.

4. How much money do you need to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker?

Unless you have a job offer and arranged employment in Canada, you will need to prove that you have enough money to be able to settle in Canada with your family. The amount needed depends on the size of your family. For example, a family of four would need to prove they have at least CAD $24,083.

The required funds by the federal government for each family size are illustrated in the table below:

5. What is the best age to immigrate to Canada?

It depends on the pathway you are applying under. Express Entry is Canada's main skilled worker pathway. Under the Express Entry system, the best age to immigrate to Canada is between 20 and 29 years old. This provides you with 100 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, if you are applying with a spouse, and 110 CRS points if you are applying on your own. You may still receive points for your age if you are not within this age group. For example, if you are 35 years old, you can receive between 70 and 77 points.

Keep in mind that while age is an important selection criteria, it is among other important selection criteria that Canada's federal and provincial governments consider when selecting skilled workers. You can also receive significant points for your education, work experience, language skills, a job offer, and Canadian experience. Hence, even if you are unable to obtain the maximum number of points for your age under a given federal or provincial skilled worker program, there are other ways for you to gain the points you need to successfully immigrate to Canada. One strategy you can pursue is having your spouse or partner (if you have one) as the principal applicant in your application if they score higher than you. Visit this page to learn how you can maximize your Express Entry CRS score.

6. What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is the Canadian federal government’s application management system. It manages permanent residence applications through Canada’s three main economic class immigration programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Canada aims to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants through Express Entry each year which is over one-quarter of the some 400,000 new immigrants Canada seeks to welcome annually.

7. What is the CRS in Canada?

CRS stands for Comprehensive Ranking System . The CRS is the point system that ranks eligible candidates through Express Entry . Candidates are ranked based on multiple factors such as their age, work experience, education, language proficiency as well as adaptability.

8. Do I need a job offer for Express Entry?

No, you do not need a job offer to submit your Express Entry profile. The vast majority of candidates who succeed under Express Entry do not have a job offer. However, a job offer may increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. This is because a job offer, awards you additional CRS points.

If you are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and you do not have the required settlement funds to support yourself, you will need to have a job offer.

9. How do I create an Express Entry profile?

The first step is for you to fill out the online form on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada . If you are eligible, you will be redirected to create your Express Entry profile, where you will be prompted to provide details regarding:

• Your passport or travel document
• Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and
• Your language test results
• Your proof of funds
• Your job offer in Canada (if you have one)
• Your provincial nomination (if you have one)

10. I am currently studying in Canada. Can I become a permanent resident?

Yes, there are many options for you to pursue. Former international students are becoming a growing share of those who become new immigrants in Canada.

Commonly, you will need to have one year of Canadian work experience but this is not always the case (e.g., if you have eligible foreign work experience, you may not need Canadian work experience to be eligible for a skilled worker program). Visit this CanadaVisa page to see the many immigration pathways available to international students.

11. How much work experience do I need for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?

You will need to have completed at least 12 months of full-time work experience in the last three years (1,560 hours), or the part-time equivalent (for example, 15 hours per week for 24 months) to be successful under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

12. How can I immigrate to Canada through the PNP?

In order to immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you will need a Canadian provincial or territorial government to nominate you.

To get started, you will need to apply directly to the province or territory you are interested in immigrating to. You will then be assessed based on various factors such as your education and work experience. If you meet the province or territory’s labour needs, you may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination.

Once approved, you will be able to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Depending on the program, you may be able to apply through the Express Entry system or through the regular application process. The main benefit of going through Express Entry is a faster processing standard for your permanent residence application.

13. How can I immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker?

You have a few options to choose from if you are a skilled worker who wants to immigrate to Canada. These options will depend on your specific situation.

For example, highly skilled workers can explore the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Trade workers can look into the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Both of these programs are managed by the Express Entry system.

Candidates who wish to immigrate to a specific province or territory may be interested in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

14. How do I get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)?

You can find out what your education is equivalent to in Canada by obtaining an ECA . Many programs also require you to obtain an ECA to apply.

To get an ECA, you will need to get your education assessed by one of the following organizations:

• Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• World Education Services
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• International Credential Evaluation Service

15. How can I immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person?

You must have two years of relevant work experience to prove that you will be able to become self-employed in Canada.

In addition, you will need to score at least 35 points in a selection grid designed specifically for self-employed individuals .

You will also be required to pass a medical examination and pass criminal and security checks.

16. Do I have to stay in Canada as a permanent resident?

If you wish to keep your permanent resident status, you are required to stay in Canada for two years (or 730 days) in the last five years. This time does not need to be continuous.

17. How long does the PR process take?

Processing times depend on the program you are applying to.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to complete permanent residence applications through Express Entry programs in six months or less.

Processing times for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Quebec, and other federal skilled worker programs may take six months or longer.

Family class applications tend to take some 12 months to be processed (though this can be longer or shorter).

Get a sense of processing times by using CanadaVisa's free tool.

18. How can I sponsor my husband, wife or partner to come to Canada?

The first step is to ensure you and your spouse or partner meet the eligibility criteria.

If you do, you need to prepare and submit two applications: one for sponsorship and one for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to make a decision on spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months.

19. How can I sponsor my parents or grandparents to come to Canada?

If you wish to sponsor your parents or grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents, you must submit an interest to sponsor form during the period it is available.

Once the form closes, Canada randomly selects potential sponsors and invite them to apply to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents.

If you are invited to apply, you must submit your application by the deadline mentioned in the invitation.

Another option is to apply for Parent and Grandparent Super Visa . This visa type allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for up to two years. This multiple-entry visa can remain valid for up to 10 years.

20. How can I sponsor my children to come to Canada?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their dependent children to Canada must first prove their relationship with the child, whether or not the child is biological or adopted.

The sponsor must be over 18 years old to be able to sponsor. The sponsored child must be under 22 years old, unless they are financially dependent on the sponsor, and are unable to become financially dependent because of a physical or mental condition.

21. Who can sponsor me in Canada?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sponsor family members including their wife, husband, partner, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and in some cases, other family members.

22. Is it difficult to immigrate to Canada?

It is not difficult to immigrate to Canada as long as you meet the eligibility criteria of a program that is the right fit for you.

Consider that Canada seeks to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants per year under its economic, family, and refugee classes. Canada operates over 100 different skilled worker programs under the economic class and some 60 per cent of all new immigrants arrive under the economic class. Hence, skilled workers overseas have a lot of options to choose from.

In addition, Canada welcomes family members including wives, husbands, partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and other close loved ones. As long as you and the Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring you meet Canada's eligibility criteria, you will be able to immigrate to Canada.

Canada is committed to operating a successful immigration system which is why it dedicates a lot of government resources to making the immigration application process as smooth as possible.

23. How much money do you need to immigrate to Canada?

There is no income requirement for immigrants who arrive under the family class, however the person sponsoring a family class immigrant will need to assume financial responsibilities.

Skilled workers overseas need to meet the settlement funds requirements of the given federal or provincial program they are applying under. Some exceptions apply, such as if you have an eligible job offer in Canada. Otherwise, you need to prove to the government you have enough money to be able to support yourself and your family upon your landing in Canada. The amount of money skilled requires require depends on the size of your family. Here is the amount of money required by Canada's federal government:

24. Can I go to Canada without a job offer?

Yes, you can immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker without a job offer, however having an eligible job offer does help. Nonetheless, the majority of successful immigrants under Express Entry do not have a job offer. Having an eligible job offer under Express Entry will get you extra points but it does not guarantee you will receive a permanent residence invitation. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria of at least one of Canada's over 100 different skilled worker programs, and receive a high score for your human capital such as your age, education, language skills, and work experience, you have a chance to successfully immigrate to Canada without a job offer.

25. How many points are required for Canada PR?

It depends on the program you are applying under. Expression of Interest systems such as Express Entry and those operated under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Quebec do not set a points threshold to be a successful immigrant. You may need to meet a threshold to be eligible for an Expression of Interest program, but once you enter the EOI pool, the government will invite the highest scoring candidates based on their policy goals. Hence, the cut-off scores will vary based on the government's policy goals.

However, non-EOI skilled worker programs also have points thresholds and will issue permanent residence to you as long as you meet the threshold and all other eligibility criteria. The points you require to obtain Canadian permanent residence (PR) will vary by program.

26. Can I immigrate to Canada at the age of 55?

Yes you can. While age is an important selection criteria, it is one of several other major factors that Canada's skilled worker and business immigration programs consider. The programs also consider your education, language skills, work experience, Canadian experience, whether you have an eligible job offer, and in the case of business programs, your business experience, net worth, and amount of money you want to invest in Canada.

27. What is a job offer in Canada?

While a job offer is not necessary to successfully immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, it can help. You can gain extra points with a job offer, and some programs require a job offer.

Job offer requirements vary by program. Some programs require the job offer to fall under certain occupations or industries.

The main way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker is under Express Entry. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, a job offer must meet this criteria to be eligible under Express Entry:

• full-time and not a seasonal role
• is a minimum of one year in duration
• is a job that is skilled and falls under type 0, A, or B in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• is a recent job offer
• is not a job offer from a diplomatic mission in Canada

Usually, a job offer needs to be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), however some job offers are exempt from needing an LMIA.

28. What jobs are in demand in Canada?

Canada has a rapidly aging population and low birth rate, so there are a diversity of different job needs across the Canadian economy. Jobs are in demand in many areas such as information and communications technology (ICT), health, transportation, finance, professional services. Some of Canada's skilled worker programs do not have occupational requirements while others only select immigrants who are trained in occupations where jobs are in demand. However, the primary focus of Canada's immigration system is to select immigrants who are young and middle-aged, with strong language skills, work experience, and education. The reason for this approach is Canadian government research shows selecting immigrants with such human capital characteristics tends to result in strong job outcomes for immigrants themselves.

29. Is healthcare free in Canada?

Yes, universal healthcare is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Healthcare eligibility for new permanent residents depends on the province or territory you are landing in. Visit the following CanadaVisa page to learn about free healthcare coverage provided by each jurisdiction in Canada. Note that some provinces require new permanent residents live there for a few months before they can obtain free healthcare coverage which means you may need private health insurance during this waiting period.

30. How much does it cost to live in Canada per month?

Your cost of living in Canada depends on which city you will live in, the size of your family, your lifestyle, among other factors. CanadaVisa offers a dedicated section to ease your settlement in Canada.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), household living expenses can make up half of your monthly spending in Canada. Expenses to consider include:

• home ownership or rent
• heating and utilities such as water
• transportation
• leisure activities
• Health insurance (some provinces require that new permanent residents live there for a few months before they are eligible for free healthcare )

31. Where do Canada's immigrants come from?

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada welcomes new permanent residents from some 200 different countries each year. Canada does not have quotas for immigration, so immigrants are able to move from any part of the world as long as they meet the criteria of an economic, family, or refugee class program.

The source countries of Canada's immigrants started to become even more diverse when Canada became the first country to launch a points system with the introduction of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in 1967. Prior to 1967, Canada's immigrants mostly came from Europe. Since then, however, Canada's doors have opened to all corners of the globe.

32. What English language tests can I take for Canadian immigration?

There are two language tests you can take to demonstrate your English language proficiency for Canadian immigration. They are IELTS General Training and the CELPIP.

Cohen Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm with over 45 years of experience. Cohen Immigration Law is comprised of over 60 Canadian immigration lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals. We are dedicated to helping people achieve their Canadian immigration goals. We assist in areas including skilled worker and business immigration, family sponsorship, work permits, study permits, citizenship, and inadmissibility. CanadaVisa.com was founded in 1994 as the online presence of Cohen Immigration Law. CanadaVisa has since blossomed into the one of the world's most trusted resources on Canadian immigration. Please reach out for assistance. We're happy to help:

Skilled Worker Assistance

Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada through one of the country's over 100 skilled worker options.

Family Sponsorship Assistance

See if you are eligible to sponsor a loved one, or be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Other Immigration Enquiries

Contact us about work permits, study permits, business immigration, citizenship, and inadmissibility.

Latest News

Canada's express entry draw results from august 14, 2024.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a second Express Entry draw this week, issuing 3,200 more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Canadian immigration candidates. Here are the results from IRCC's August 14 Express Entry draw.

Canada's Express Entry Draw Results from July 31, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a second Express Entry draw this week. Read on for the results from the department's July 31st Express Entry draw.

• Immigrate to Canada
• Provincial Nominee Programs
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• Language Test Requirements
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• About the Immigration Department
• About the Immigration Minister
• Working in Canada
• TFWP & IMP
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• Work without a Work Permit
• Get Maintained Status
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• LMIA-Based Work Permits (TFWP)
• Employer Compliance
• Spouse or Common-Law Partner
• Child or Other Dependent
• Parents and Grandparents
• Requirements for Each Program
• Study in Canada
• Get a Study Permit
• Study Pathways to PR
• Bringing your Family to Canada
• Working While Studying
• Post-Graduation Work Permits
• About Canadian Citizenship
• Benefits of Canadian Passport
• Apply for Proof of Citizenship
• Dual Citizenship
• Citizenship Ceremony
• Overcome Inadmissibility
• Temporary Resident Permit
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• Inadmissible Legal Opinion Letter
• Visiting with a Criminal Record
• Common Offences
• Charges Within Canada
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• Canada Security Clearances
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• Inadmissibility to Canada FAQs
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• How to Avoid Fraud
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How to apply

Additional changes to entry, testing and quarantine requirements in response to the Omicron variant

There are temporary changes for all travellers, including Canadian citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.

Additional restrictions and requirements now apply to these countries:

• Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

News release

Changes to border measures

New border measures include

• rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
• who is considered fully vaccinated
• rules for travelling within Canada

Starting January 15, 2022, there will be new rules for who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller.

Learn more about the new measures

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Prepare documents and apply

The reason you’re traveling to Canada determines the way you apply and the documents you need to submit with your visa application.

Why are you applying for a visitor visa?

• To visit as a tourist
• To visit for business
• To visit your spouse or partner who has sponsored you for permanent residence

What is your family member’s status in Canada?

• Canadian citizen
• Person registered under Canada’s Indian Act
• Canadian permanent resident
• Temporary resident in Canada
• For compassionate reasons
• To join a vessel as a marine crew member (known as a “seafarer”)
• None of the above

Do you plan to visit your children or grandchildren for more than 6 months?

You may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa

A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time. It’s a visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

Find out how to apply for a Super Visa

Step 1 Gather documents

Gather these documents to submit with your visa application and bring when you travel.

About the documents listed

• Not all documents listed below are required—some are optional.
• This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable proof to support your visa application.
• Only submit the recommended documents that prove you’re eligible for a visa.
• Even if you submit all the documents listed, there is no guarantee that we’ll approve your application.
• We may request more information from you in addition to what is listed here.

Documents we accept:

• passports (regular, official or diplomatic)  from most countries (see exceptions below)
• alien’s passport for stateless persons
• US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
• US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
• other refugee travel documents for non-citizens

Documents we don’t accept:

• any passport issued by Somalia
• non-machine-readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
• temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
• provisional passports issued by Venezuela

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you’ll use to travel to Canada

If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of

• the page that shows your birth date and country of origin
• any pages with stamps, visas or markings

If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your

• date of birth
• document number
• citizenship or residency status
• expiry date (if applicable)

Submit this document with your visa application.

Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application.

Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application

Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend or alone.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada .

Submit these with your visa application.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada.

If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.

Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.

Include a clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
• entry and exit stamps
• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
• expired or valid visas

Submit this document with your visa application

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada

Include copies of any of the following:

• flight details
• proof of accommodation
• registration for an event

This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

Bank name and contact This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.

Proof it is your account Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.

Account details At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.

Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.

The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.

Business visitor

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada

Submit this with your visa application.

A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside your country

Copies of any of the following:

A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.

The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.

The letter should include the following:

• date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
• confirmation that you have a job with the employer
• your full name and date of birth
• date you started the job
• brief description of your job
• current salary
• contact information of your manager
• phone number
• email address
• employer information
• company name
• state or province
• Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.

A letter from a business or company in Canada

It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.

A copy of the letter from the business or company inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from the business or company.

Consult the details to include in the letter .

Visit your spouse or partner who sponsored you for permanent residence

Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada

This can include a copy of

• a marriage certificate
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
• a birth certificate
• an official document naming you as a parent

Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.

The documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.

• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on whether the minor child travels alone

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada

A letter written by your family member in Canada

A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from your family member.
• current Salary

Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.

What is a common-law partner?

Proof can include

• joint bank accounts or credit cards
• joint ownership of a home
• joint residential leases
• joint rental receipts
• joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
• joint management of household expenses
• proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
• mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address

Faster visitor visa processing for spousal applicants

If you’re being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) by your spouse or partner, you could benefit from faster processing for a visitor visa.

You may be eligible if you

• submitted an application to be sponsored for permanent residence
• received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) that confirms the application is in progress

Applications that need more information, for example custody documents for a child, will take longer to process.

When your sponsor receives the AOR for your permanent residence application, you can apply for a visitor visa. If you’re eligible, your visitor visa application will automatically receive faster processing. You don’t need to request it.

You must still meet all of the requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa .

Visit family (Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act, or permanent resident of Canada)

Submit with visa application

Visit children or grandchildren Super visa option

Submit this with your visa or super visa application.

For super visa applicants only

Proof that medical insurance for at least $100,000 coverage has been purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

A copy of the insurance certificate or policy you received for medical insurance coverage for 1 year with a Canadian insurance company.

Submit this with your super visa application.

Documents that show that the super visa applicant’s child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off minimum.

Submit one of the following documents:

• If the child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment on file, they can view and print their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency My Account online service.
• a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s most recent T4 or T1
• an original letter from the child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary
• a letter from an accountant confirming the child’s or grandchild’s annual income, if they are self-employed.
• proof of other sources of income (pension statement, investments, etc.)

A document confirming that you had an  immigration medical exam (IME)

The exam must conducted by a panel physician authorized by IRCC.

Get complete details about how to get a medical exam with a panel physician.

Submit this with your super visa application, or wait for instructions from the visa office.

Visit family (temporary resident of Canada)

A letter written by your family in Canada

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do once in Canada

Visit for compassionate reasons

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada

A letter written to you from a person or business inviting you to Canada

A copy of the letter from the person or business inviting you to Canada

Please indicate clearly if family members will accompany you to Canada.

Submit the following documents with your visa application:

• digital copy of Seaman’s Book
• digital copy of a signed Letter of Invitation from a ship or port agent in Canada
• digital copy of an Introduction Letter from recruiter shipping agency or vessel owner
• digital copy of the employment contract

Step 2 Apply through the IRCC Portal

Step 2 apply.

To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor.

To qualify, you must show that:

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

Business visitor activities include business meetings, special events or training for a few days or weeks.

If your meeting, event or conference is registered with us, include the event code in your application. You should get this code from the organizer.

Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or if you plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to  apply for a work permit .

To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. As an online applicant, you can ignore steps 3 and 4 of the guide (paying the fees and submitting your application).

If you’re applying for the first time , you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Apply through the IRCC Secure account

Sign in to your IRCC secure account

Apply through the IRCC Portal

Only for tourists, visiting for business, family visits, compassionate reasons

Sign in to the IRCC portal

To apply for a visitor visa to join a vessel as a marine crew member (seafarer) , you must

• be travelling to Canada to join a ship’s crew
• hold a seafarer’s identity document
• hold a valid passport or travel document
• have proof of employment on a vessel at a Canadian port

As a seafarer, you’re not eligible for a transit visa and you must apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa).

Note: When asked to “Tell us more about what you’ll do in Canada”, include “Join vessel” or “Seafarer”.

Register to the IRCC portal

Applying on paper for specific situations

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:

• you can’t apply online because of a disability or
• you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete your application . We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply.

Each individual applicant must submit a completed application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.

Download the application package .

Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for

• your medical exam
• a police certificate

Our instruction guides (opens in a new tab)   can help you understand which fees apply to you.

Submit your application

Families should send their individual applications in one package. The principal applicant must send this combined package to the location where their application will be processed.

Select the country/territory you’ll be applying from to find out where to submit your application. You can choose your country of nationality or the country or territory where you have been legally admitted:

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• China (People’s Republic of)
• Comoros Island
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong SAR
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• North Macedonia (Republic of)
• Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
• Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands

If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you’re applying on paper, submit your application in person . VAC staff will check that it is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept the following credit cards and prepaid cards:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC ® Online
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

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