Does graduating in Canada equal PR?
No automatic PR. A PGWP is temporary; you still need CEC or a PNP and a competitive score.
Passport Atlas
Canada travel, immigration and PR
Canada is the textbook points destination in this atlas: temporary and permanent residence are separate filings, and Express Entry CRS cut-offs move every year.
ImmigrationPermanent residence
Openness rank
#161
Entry openness
54
Visa free
1
Briefing updated
2026-09
Country profile
Capital
Ottawa
Population
41.5 million
Area
9,984,670 km²
Currency
Canadian dollar CAD
Languages
English, French
Time zone
UTC-08:00–UTC-03:30
Foreign-born
8.8 million · 2024
Migrant share
22.2%
Ethnic groups · 2021
- Canadian15.6%
- English14.7%
- Scottish12.1%
- Irish12.1%
- French11%
- German8.1%
- Other19.4%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
Entry visas and immigration pathsPassport visa-free listPaperwork and passport photosVisa siteImmigration site
Who this handbook is for
For skilled workers, study-to-PR, provincial nominees, family class, and people who land on a work or study permit then raise their CRS.
How to visit, and for how long
Visa-exempt passports usually need an eTA to board; others a TRV. Stays are often six months, set at the port. Visitors cannot work. Study over six months needs a study permit.
How to work or reside
Temporary work is LMIA-sponsored, some LMIA-exempt streams, or a PGWP after study. PR is mainly Express Entry (FSW / CEC / FST) plus PNP. Points come from age, education, language and work.
PR and citizenship
A grant makes you a permanent resident immediately. Citizenship usually needs three years of physical presence in five, tax filings, language and knowledge tests. PR cards expire; long absences hit residency obligations.
Time to PR：Economic PR is by invitation, not a years-then-apply clock
How popular passports enter
FAQ
Does submitting Express Entry mean an invitation?
It only enters the pool. You need a CRS at or above the round’s cut-off for an ITA, then you file PR.
Does a Chinese passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “Visa required”. confirm length of stay with the destination. The port and mission are authoritative.
Does a US passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “Visa free”. typical stay on the matrix is 180 days. The port and mission are authoritative.
Related destination guides
New ZealandHandbooks summarise public sources so you can cross-check the visa matrix and policy playbooks. They are not legal advice. Quotas, stay lengths and visa-free lists move — confirm with the destination government and its missions before you travel or file.