• Immigration & Citizenship
• Immigrating to Ontario
• General Information About Applying

How can I apply to immigrate to Ontario?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) establishes immigration policy and makes decisions on who can enter Canada.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, you need to apply through IRCC. The type of application you need depends on which immigration program you want to apply under.

Immigration Programs

You can apply for permanent residence under the following categories:

• Federal skilled workers
• Family sponsorship
• Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed
• Canadian Experience Class
• Skilled Trades Workers
• Provincial nominees
• Refugees

Some caregivers are also able to apply for permanent residence.

You can apply for temporary residence under the following categories:

• Foreign students
• Temporary foreign workers
• Visitors

Eligibility

All applications are evaluated on specific requirements and regulations.

You may need to meet certain health and security requirements. For example, you may have to get a medical examination or undergo a background check to show if you have any past arrests or convictions.

IRCC may also want to interview you or see other documentation.

How to Apply

Depending on the immigration category, applications are either made from outside or inside Canada.

Visit IRCC's website for more information about how to apply and where to send your application.

Usually, you have to pay a fee for each application you make. If your application is refused, you will not get a refund. Information and other assistance at IRCC offices is free.

If you are in Canada, you can call the IRCC Call Centre for more information about your situation at 1-888-242-2100. You can also get assistance from a settlement agency. To find a settlement agency in your area, go to Services Near Me.

For More Information

• IRCC Help Centre - A tool that helps answer frequently asked questions on immigration matters. It offers several ways of searching through the information available, including search by keyword. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate - A list of Canadian visa offices outside of Canada.
• Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) - An independent tribunal that is responsible for hearing refugee claims and appeals.
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) - The federal agency responsible for border (port-of-entry) services, customs and enforcement of some immigration laws in Canada.