In 2024, Canada introduced several new pathways to permanent residence and implemented significant changes to existing ones.
The table below provides a clear summary of these updates.
Pathway
Target Group
Major Changes
Launch Date
Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)
French-speaking graduates from select DLIs in specific countries.
New program.
August 26, 2024
Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative
French speakers wishing to settle outside Quebec.
Ten new communities added.
Details to be announced.
Alberta Law Enforcement Pathway
Individuals with job offers in Alberta’s law enforcement sector.
New pathway.
June 25, 2024
Quebecโs Skilled Worker Selection Program
Skilled workers planning to settle in Quebec.
Replaces the Regular Skilled Worker Program. Paused until June 30, 2025.
ITAs start June 30, 2025.
In-Canada Focus Category
Express Entry candidates with temporary resident status in Canada.
New category.
October 24, 2024
PEQ Graduates Stream
International students graduating from DLIs in Quebec.
Added French requirement. Suspended until June 30, 2025.
October 31, 2024
Federal Economic Priorities (Express Entry)
Express Entry candidates.
Focuses on healthcare, skilled trades, and French speakers.
Details to be announced.
BCโs Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot
Eligible newcomers planning to start businesses in BC.
The pilot became permanent. Renamed as Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Stream.
June 21, 2024
Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)
๐ข Exciting news for Francophone students! Canada has introduced the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP), a new program offering a direct pathway to permanent residency for 2,300 international students upon graduation, all outside the student cap.
๐ Learnโฆ
โ ApplyBoard (@ApplyBoard) September 5, 2024
Launched on August 26, 2024, as part of Canadaโs Francophone Immigration Policy, the FMCSP aims to attract and retain French-speaking international students.
It provides a direct pathway from temporary to permanent residence and offers access to settlement services during studies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizen of an eligible country.
- Acceptance letter from a participating DLI under the FMCSP.
- Enrolled in an eligible study program.
- Sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses.
- Reside outside Canada when applying.
- Complete a medical exam and/or police certificate, if required.
- Score NCLC level 5 or higher in all language abilities.
- Additional documents may be needed based on location.
Expanded Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative
In 2024, IRCC expanded its initiative supporting French-speaking newcomers to settle in Francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec.
Ten new communities across six provinces were added, bringing the total to 24 communities.
These communities receive funding to provide settlement support, including language training, employment advice, and cultural integration activities.
Alberta Law Enforcement Pathway
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Launched on June 25, 2024, under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), this pathway is designed for individuals working in law enforcement.
Eligibility Criteria
- A job offer from an employer who is a member of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP).
- The job must be in one of the following eligible occupations:
- Commissioned and non-commissioned police officers.
- Roles in public protection services.
- Police investigators or investigative positions.
- Specialized law enforcement occupations.
- Meet all Express Entry criteria, as this is an aligned stream.
The pathway had an allocation of 50 nominations for 2024.
Quebecโs Skilled Worker Selection Program
In 2024, Quebec introduced the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) as a replacement for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ).
This program provides a pathway for individuals to live and work permanently in Quebec, with a greater emphasis on French language skills and alignment with Quebecโs values.
Program Streams
- Details on its four specific streams are forthcoming:
Stream
Target Group
Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
French-speaking workers whose primary occupation falls under FรER categories 0, 1, or 2.
Intermediate and Manual Skills
French-speaking workers whose primary occupation falls under FรER categories 3, 4, or 5.
Regulated Professionals
French-speaking workers in regulated professions that require licensing to practice in Quebec.
Exceptional Talent
Workers with exceptional expertise who have significantly contributed to their field and Quebecโs prosperity. Must have at least three years of experience in their field within the last five years.
To qualify under any of the PSTQ streams, candidates must meet both stream-specific and general eligibility requirements.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Intend to settle in Quebec and work there.
- Be capable of performing the job applied for.
- Sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract to prove financial stability for the first three months in Quebec, including for accompanying family members.
- Obtain a certificate of learning Quebecโs democratic values, including for family members aged 18 or older.
- Comply with return conditions if receiving a scholarship in Quebec.
Additional Notes:
To apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), candidates must enter the Arrima pool and wait for an invitation to apply from the Quebec immigration ministry. However, invitations under PSTQ are suspended until June 30, 2025, and will resume after that date.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – Graduates Stream
The PEQ facilitates the transition to permanent residence for temporary workers and international graduates in Quebec, with separate streams for graduates and temporary foreign workers.
Key Updates
- Starting November 23, 2024, only programs where 75% of coursework or credits are completed in French qualify for the Graduates Stream.
- The number of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) for PEQ graduates will decrease from 14,500 in 2024 to 4,500 in 2025.
- The Graduates Stream has been paused and will reopen on June 30, 2025.
In-Canada Focus Category
Our 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term: https://t.co/UHPKBBMn1O
Through this plan, we are using our existing programs so that everyoneโincluding newcomersโhas access to theโฆ pic.twitter.com/uM15tVSYr1โ IRCC (@CitImmCanada) October 24, 2024
The Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27 allocates 40% of 2025 admissions spaces to applicants already residing in Canada under the In-Canada Focus Category. This equates to approximately 82,980 admissions in 2025.
Key Features
- Prioritizes domestic candidates for permanent residence.
- Admissions will primarily come from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) but may also include applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- Candidates must have valid temporary resident status and an eligible Express Entry profile at the time of the immigration draw.
Federal Economic Priorities (Express Entry)
Under the Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government aims to admit 41,700 permanent residents through Federal Economic programs, which form part of the Express Entry targets.
Focus Areas for 2025
- Healthcare occupations
- Trade occupations
- French-language proficiency
Category-based draws, introduced in May 2023, will be used to prioritize candidates in these areas, increasing their chances of receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in 2025.
BCโs Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Stream
On June 21, 2024, British Columbia officially made the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program a permanent part of its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), renaming it the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Stream.
This program supports newcomers aiming to establish businesses in BCโs smaller communities.
Eligible Communities
Cariboo Region
- Mackenzie
- Quesnel
Kootenay Region
- Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)
- Columbia Valley & East Kootenay
- Kimberley
- Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)
- Rossland
- Trail
Nechako Region
- Bulkley-Nechako
Northeast Region
- Fort St. John
Thompson Okanagan Region
- Clinton (Temporarily paused)
- Penticton
- Salmon Arm
- Vernon
Vancouver Island/Coast Region
- Campbell River
- Comox
- Mount Waddington
- Powell River
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, candidates must:
- Establish a new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community.
- Show business and/or management experience.
- Have a personal net worth exceeding $300,000 CAD.
- Invest at least $100,000 CAD in the business.
- Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Demonstrate minimum CLB level 4 in English or French.
- Possess or be eligible for legal immigration status in Canada.
- Have been lawfully admitted to the country where they currently reside.
Successful nominees may obtain a work permit to set up their business in BC while their permanent residence application is being processed.
