Top 10 Questions to Immigrate to Canada
Navigating the Skilled Worker Path to Canada: Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions
When you have a push that you need to make a change in your life and you consider immigrating to Canada, you might have a lot of questions. We can help! In this post, we will answer the top 10 questions to immigrate to Canada that we receive from applicants.
1. How Much Does it Cost to Immigrate to Canada?
Immigrating to Canada involves several costs:
- Language Tests: Approximately CAD $200–300 per test.
- ECA: CAD $200–300, depending on the provider (for example: WES).
- Medical Exams: CAD $100–500 per person, depending on the country and clinic.
- Police Certificates: Vary by country, typically CAD $10–100 each.
- Application Fees: The PR application fee is CAD $1,525 per adult (including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee) and CAD $260 per child under 22, as of 2025.
- Proof of Funds: You must show sufficient funds (e.g., CAD $13,757 for a single applicant, more for families – unless you have a valid job offer).
- Other Costs: Travel, document translation, and legal or consultant fees (if applicable).
- Legal Fees: Matrixvisa’s Legal Fees for 2025 is CAD $5,000 for a Permanent Residence contract.
- Work Permit: If you require a job offer to immigrate, factor in the cost of a work permit ($155 for a single applicant), and the potential legal fees to have assistance with a work permit application as some countries face high refusal rates. Matrixvisa’s Work Permit Legal Fees are CAD $2,750
Note: Costs are subject to change, check IRCC’s website for the latest application fees.
2. How can Skilled Workers Immigrate to Canada permanently?
Canada offers several immigration pathways for skilled workers, with the Express Entry system being the gateway to these programs. Express Entry is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and it handles the applications for federal programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Designed for professionals with foreign work experience and qualifications.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For those with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople with qualifications in specific occupations.
Additionally, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet their labor market needs. Each province has streams tailored to skilled workers in their provinces and some of the streams cross over with Express Entry.
Other pathways include the Atlantic Immigration Program for workers in Atlantic Canada and job-specific routes through pilot programs in other rural areas. Each program has unique eligibility criteria.
Read more about permanent residency programs on IRCC’s website here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html
3. Am I Eligible to Apply as a Skilled Worker?
Eligibility depends on the program, but the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry is a good starting point for most applicants.
To qualify, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Work Experience: At least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the past 10 years in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English or French, demonstrated through approved tests like IELTS (English) or TEF (French).
- Education: A Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential, or a foreign equivalent validated by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Points Threshold: A minimum score of 67 out of 100 on the FSWP points grid, which assesses factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, and adaptability (e.g., having a Canadian job offer or relatives in Canada).
- Proof of Funds: Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family in Canada, unless you have a valid job offer or are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
For Express Entry, candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on certain factors.
4. How Does Express Entry Work?
- Receive a CRS Score: Your profile is assigned a score out of 1,200 based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and additional factors like a job offer or provincial nomination.
- Enter the Candidate Pool: Your profile enters the Express Entry pool, where candidates are ranked against each other.
- Receive an ITA: IRCC conducts regular draws (typically every two weeks), inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residency. Draw scores vary, often ranging from 450–500 CRS points, depending on the program and labor market needs.
- Submit a PR Application: After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residency application, including supporting documents like police certificates and medical exams.
- Processing and Approval: IRCC processes most applications within six months. If approved, you receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can move to Canada.
Note: A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA. Research PNPs in provinces where your skills are in demand, such as Alberta, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan.
5. What Documents Do I Need to Prepare?
The documentation required depends on the stage of the process, but here’s a general checklist for Express Entry:
- Passport or Travel Document: Valid and up-to-date.
- Language Test Results: IELTS, CELPIP (English), or TEF (French) results, valid for two years.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): For foreign degrees, diplomas, or certificates, obtained from organizations like World Education Services (WES).
- Work Experience Documents: Reference letters from employers detailing job duties, duration, and salary, matching your claimed NOC code.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statements or official letters showing you meet IRCC’s settlement funds requirement (e.g., CAD $13,757 for a single applicant in 2025, updated annually).
- Police Certificates: From every country where you’ve lived for six months or more since age 18.
- Medical Exam: Conducted by an IRCC-approved panel physician after receiving an ITA.
- Additional Documents: Marriage certificates, birth certificates for dependents, or proof of common-law status, if applicable.
We recommend to all our clients to start gathering documents early, as obtaining police certificates or ECAs can take weeks or months, especially from certain countries.
6. How Can I Improve My Express Entry CRS Score?
A higher CRS score increases your chances of receiving an ITA. Here are strategies to boost your score:
- Improve Language Skills: Higher language test scores (e.g., CLB 9 or above) significantly increase points. Consider retaking IELTS or TEF to improve your results.
- Gain More Work Experience: Additional years of skilled work experience, especially in Canada, add points.
- Pursue Higher Education: A master’s degree or PhD earns more points than a bachelor’s degree.
- Secure a Job Offer: A valid job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation can add 50–200 points, depending on the role.
- Apply for a Provincial Nomination: A nomination adds 600 points, making an ITA almost certain.
- Include a Spouse’s Credentials: If your spouse has strong language skills or education, their credentials can boost your score. Alternatively, applying as the principal applicant (if your spouse has a higher score) may be beneficial.
Example: A 30-year-old single applicant with a bachelor’s degree, three years of skilled work experience, and CLB 9 in English might score around 450–470 points. Adding a provincial nomination could push this to 1,050–1,070, ensuring an ITA.
7. How Long Does the Immigration Process Take?
The timeline varies by program and individual circumstances:
- Express Entry: From profile creation to ITA, it can take weeks to months, depending on your CRS score and draw frequency. Post-ITA, PR applications are typically processed within six months.
- PNPs: Processing times vary by province, ranging from 6–12 months for the nomination, followed by 6–12 months for federal PR processing.
- Document Preparation: Gathering documents like ECAs, language tests, and police certificates can take 1–3 months, depending on your country of residence.
- Work Permit: If you require a job offer to immigrate, factor in work permit processing times, which vary from country to country where the visa will be processed.
8. Can I Bring My Family?
Yes, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 in your PR application. They must meet admissibility requirements, including medical exams and police checks.
Family members receive permanent residency alongside the principal applicant, granting them the right to live, work, and study in Canada.
Consideration: Including family members increases your proof of funds requirement unless you have a job offer.
9. Do I Need a Job Offer to Immigrate?
A job offer is not mandatory for most skilled worker programs, however a valid job offer in a skilled occupation can add 50–200 CRS points, improving your chances of an ITA.
For some PNPs, a job offer may be required, particularly for streams like Alberta’s Opportunity Stream.
10. Can I Move to Canada without Money
The short answer is yes. In some cases, you could apply for a job in Canada and the employer is willing to pay for your applications and immigration related expenses.
Matrixvisa periodically handles requests from employer to recruit for certain skills. Some employers seeking specific skills are happy to assist the applicant to relocate to Canada.
View our vacancies page and follow our social media outlets for updates when such opportunities arise.
Note: All fees and requirements mentioned are based on information as of August 2025, and may be subject to change.
To Get Started
Now that you have answers to the top 10 questions to immigrate to Canada, you are ready to begin your journey immigrating to Canada, the best place to start is with our initial assessment.
