Canada · long-stay visa routes and official sources
7 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for Canada: Medium-hard (62/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Study permit.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to Canada?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Study permit. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium-hard" (62/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to Canada without a local job offer?
Yes — 2 of the 7 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Study permit; Visitor status for digital nomads. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
A study-based route requiring admission to an eligible education provider.
Typical timeline / duration: Permit validity tied to study programme and conditions; extensions possible if eligible.
Must be enrolled at a designated learning institution; get letter of acceptance; provincial or territorial attestation letter usually required; CAQ required for Quebec; apply for study permit before travel in most cases.
Must prove enough money for tuition, living expenses for applicant/family and return transport; medical exam/police certificate may be required. Outside Quebec the living-cost figure has been CAD 22,895 for a single applicant since 1 September 2025, rising to CAD 28,502 for two people, CAD 35,040 for three, CAD 42,543 for four and CAD 6,170 for each further family member, on top of tuition and travel. IRCC reviews the amount annually.
Employer-specific work permit; open work permit only for special circumstances
An employer-led or qualification-based work route.
Typical timeline / duration: Validity and work conditions are stated on the work permit; employer-specific permits restrict employer/location/occupation conditions.
Be eligible for at least one of the three Express Entry programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades.
Create an Express Entry profile with approved language results, education evidence or an Educational Credential Assessment, skilled work history, and accurate NOC/TEER information.
Meet the program-specific minimums and compete in the Comprehensive Ranking System; a provincial nomination can add a major advantage, while job-offer CRS points were removed in 2025.
Prepare proof of funds where required, police certificates, passport, admissibility documents, and any provincial nomination or trade certificate evidence.
A remote-income route for applicants working for overseas employers, clients, or businesses.
Typical timeline / duration: Up to 6 months at a time on visitor status.
A digital nomad working remotely for an employer outside Canada may stay on visitor status, usually for up to six months at a time. The person must meet the nationality-based visitor visa or eTA requirement, show a genuine temporary visit, keep the main business and income outside Canada, and not enter the Canadian labour market.
There is no separate digital-nomad income threshold: the visitor application should show enough funds for the stay, a stable foreign job or business, and reasons to leave Canada at the end of the authorised visit.
A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements.
Typical timeline / duration: Can allow stays of up to 5 years per entry depending on timing/rules.
Super Visa is for parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act.
Applicant must meet visitor requirements; host must meet income requirements; applicant must have medical insurance and medical exam requirements as applicable.
Host income table: CAD 30,526 for 1 family member, CAD 38,002 for 2, CAD 46,720 for 3, CAD 56,724 for 4, etc.
From 31 March 2026 the income test is easier to meet: the host can qualify on either of the two taxation years before the application, and the visiting parent's or grandparent's own income can be added once the host has met the required minimum share of the threshold. The income table above is unchanged.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.