Canada Immigration from India
RCIC-led guidance on Canadian immigration from India — Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, study permits, work permits and family sponsorship.
Applicants from India most often reach Canada through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, a study permit leading to a post-graduation work permit, or family sponsorship. Which route fits depends on your age, education, IELTS or CELPIP results, occupation and Canadian connections. India is consistently among the largest sources of new Canadian permanent residents, but every application is assessed individually against current IRCC criteria.
Key facts
| Most common PR routes | Express Entry (FSW, CEC), Provincial Nominee Programs |
|---|---|
| Language testing | IELTS General Training or CELPIP for English; TEF/TCF for French |
| Credentials | Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) required for foreign degrees |
| Common occupations | IT and software, healthcare, engineering, finance, skilled trades |
| Biometrics | Collected at Visa Application Centres across India |
| Fees and processing times | Verify current figures with IRCC before applying |
Who may qualify?
- Skilled professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher and continuous skilled work experience
- IT, engineering and healthcare workers whose occupations align with category-based Express Entry draws
- Applicants with strong English results who can also add French for additional CRS points
- Students planning a Canadian program at a designated learning institution with a route to PGWP and PR
- Spouses, partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Eligibility requirements
- An approved language test taken within the validity period accepted by IRCC
- An ECA from a designated organization for education completed in India
- Proof of skilled work experience with reference letters showing NOC duties and hours
- Proof of settlement funds where the program requires it
- Medical examination, police clearance certificates and biometrics
How it works: step by step
- 1
Confirm your NOC and TEER
Match your Indian job title to the correct Canadian NOC code — this drives Express Entry and category eligibility.
- 2
Complete language testing
Book IELTS General Training or CELPIP; consider TEF Canada if you have any French ability.
- 3
Obtain your ECA
Have your Indian degree assessed by a designated organization such as WES, IQAS or ICAS.
- 4
Create an Express Entry profile
Enter the pool, then compare your CRS against recent cutoffs and relevant PNP streams.
- 5
Respond to an invitation or nomination
Submit a complete application with documents, biometrics and medicals within the deadline.
Expert insight
The single largest score gain we see for Indian applicants is French. Applicants who already hold strong English results can add substantial CRS points and become eligible for French-language category draws, which have historically had lower cutoffs than general draws. The second largest is a correctly documented NOC — we regularly see profiles undervalued because reference letters do not evidence the duties actually performed.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.