Although Canada accepts over 300,000 new immigrants each year, all immigrants must meet certain entrance requirements. Immigration to Canada starts with applying for permanent resident status. Canadian immigration laws consider permanent residence visa applications for four main classes of immigrants:

1. Economic Class: This is for skilled workers, provincial nominees, and business immigrants.
2. Family Class: For uniting families, including spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents.
3. Refugees and Protected Persons: For people who are escaping persecution, torture or cruel and unusual punishment. Covers both government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees.
4. Humanitarian and Compassionate: Reserved for truly exceptional and compelling circumstances

The requirements for each category can be detailed and complicated. If you need assistance, it’s a good idea to ask a lawyer now.

1. Economic Class

Economic immigrants include skilled workers, those with Canadian experience, provincial nominees, and those qualifying under one of the business categories. Economic immigrants make up the largest group of new immigrants.

The Skilled Worker Class includes workers and people who have occupational skills, education, and experience that are considered desirable in the Canadian labour market. Those eligible as permanent residents based on their ability to settle in Canada and take part in the economy may be able to immigrate through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Individuals who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified and having work experience in a specific skilled trade may be able to immigrate through the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): The CEC category is for immigrants who are already in Canada, and who currently have temporary status but want to apply for permanent residency.

Provincial Nominees: The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows the Canadian provinces and territories to nominate people for permanent residence if they meet specific labour market needs of the province or territory in question. Applicants who qualify under the PNP will have their applications for permanent residence processed in priority to other applications. Workers can qualify under the PNP in various types of employment, such as skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, investors and international student graduates.

Business Class: Business categories such as Entrepreneurs, Self-Employed immigrants and Investors are for immigrants who have the funds, skills and experience necessary to do business while in Canada.

2. Family Class 

The Family Class is for immigrants who have close relatives in Canada who have promised to provide financial help. If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, conjugal or common-law partner, dependent child (including adopted child) or other eligible relative to become a permanent resident under the Family Class.

3. Refugees and Protected Persons

The Refugee Class is for immigrants who are in need of protection and are unable or afraid to return to their home country and wish to settle in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor people from abroad who qualify to come to Canada as refugees.

Canada’s programs for refugees and protected persons make up approximately 13% of permanent resident admissions. This category includes:

• Government-Assisted Refugees: Including dedicated streams for human rights defenders and LGBTQI+ individuals. These refugees are referred for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency and other partners.
• Privately Sponsored Refugees: Allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor qualified refugees from abroad.
• Blended Visa Office Referred: A program that partners the Government of Canada with private sponsors.
• Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad: For those officially recognized as needing protection by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or through IRCC’s pre-removal risk assessment.

4, Humanitarian and Compassionate

Compassionate applicants are those who may not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada but may be able to apply on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. These are exceptional cases assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some of the common factors considered include:

• settlement in Canada,
• family ties,
• best interest of children, and
• consequences of not granting the request.

Who cannot immigrate to Canada?

Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), certain individuals are considered “inadmissible” and are not permitted to enter or stay in Canada.

You could be found inadmissible, denied a visa or refused entry to Canada under IRPA, for several reasons, including:

• Security concerns
• Violations of human or international rights
• Criminality (having a criminal record)
• Organized criminality
• Health grounds
• Financial reasons
• Misrepresentation (lying on an application)
• Not following the rules of the IRPA, or
• Having an inadmissible family member

Application Process

In most situations, you must apply for permanent residence before you arrive in Canada. Most applications are now submitted digitally through IRCC’s online portal system. However, applications can also be made from within Canada by refugee claimants, home care workers, spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, protected persons, and others with humanitarian or compassionate reasons to be in Canada.

A criminal record will delay, and can even prevent you from getting your immigration status. To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

Immigration law in Canada is complex. Issues such as getting permanent residence or citizenship, sponsoring someone, and coming to Canada to study or work involve many steps and can be overwhelming. To get help, ask a lawyer now.

Get legal help

For strategic guidance on expanding your business to Canada—whether through the C11, ICT, LMIA, or investment-driven pathways — contact our preferred immigration lawyer, Sobirovs Law Firm at 1-416-895-3926 or wecare@sobirovs.com. The Sobirovs team helps entrepreneurs navigate Canada’s business immigration system with clarity and a structured plan for long-term success.

								
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