| Economic Classes |
| Skilled Worker Class |
Must have at least one year of experience in a skilled occupation AND pass a Point Score of 67 AND either: have arranged employment OR experience in one of 38 specific occupations. |
| Business Class - Investors |
Must have a minimum net worth of Can$800,000 AND make an investment of Can$400,000 which is returned without interest after 5 years AND have "Business Experience" which means ownership of a business of a certain size or management of 5 or more people for at least 2 years in the last 5 years. |
| Business Class - Entrepreneurs |
Must have a minimum net worth of Can$300,000 AND have "Business Experience" which means ownership of a business of a certain size for at least 2 years in the last 5 years AND start a business in Canada AND employ a Canadian in that business for at least 1 year. |
| Business Class - Self-Employed Persons |
Must have experience in a cultural occupation, athletics or the management of a farm for at least 2 years in the last 5 years AND this experience must either have been on a self-employed basis OR at a world-class level AND must have the intent to become self-employed once in Canada. |
| Provincial Nominee Class |
Must be "Nominated" by a Province (each Province had different criteria that must be met to receive Nomination) AND must intend to reside in that Province. |
| Canadian Experience Class |
Must EITHER have graduated from a Canadian University/College having studied at that institution for at least 2 years AND have 1 year of experience in a relevant skilled occupation in Canada OR have 2 years skilled experience from employment in Canada AND meet a minimum language ability. |
| Live-in Caregiver Class |
Must EITHER have 6 months classroom training as a live-in caregiver OR have 1 year of paid work-experience as a live-in caregiver AND have an employment offer from an employer in Canada. Live-in caregivers must enter Canada on a temporary work permit and after 2 years work-experience as a live-in caregiver in Canada are eligible to become Permanent residents. |
| Temporary Workers |
Must have an employment offer from an employer in Canada and that employer must obtain a Labour Market Opinion from HRSDC unless the worker is in an exempt category (including certain IT workers, inter-company transferees, provincial nominees). |
| Students |
Must have an letter of offer for a place on a course at a recognized academic institution in Canada and obtain whatever visitor visas are necessary to enter Canada. Courses of less than 6 months duration don't require a Study Permit. |
| Family Classes |
| Family Class - Spouses, Partners and Dependent Children |
Applicants must be outside Canada and be Sponsored by their Spouse/Partner or Parent (if they are a dependent child) who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Common-law Partners must have cohabited together for at least 1 year and be in a "marriage-like" relationship. Canadian Citizens can initiate sponsorship from outside Canada but Permanent Residents must Sponsor from inside Canada. |
| Family Class - Other Eligible Relatives |
Applicants must be Sponsored by their Child or Grandchild who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident AND their Sponsor must meet a minimum income level. In exceptional circumstances it is possible for relatives other than parents and grandparents to be sponsored. |
| Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class |
Applicants must be inside Canada and be Sponsored by their Spouse or Common-law Partner who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident and who is also residing inside Canada. Common-law Partners must have cohabited together for at least 1 year and be in a "marriage-like" relationship. |
| Refugee Classes |
| Convention Refugees Abroad Class |
Applicants must be outside Canada AND meet the United Nations definition of a Convention Refugee AND either be sponsored by an individual, group of individuals or Government organization OR have sufficient financial resources to become economically established in Canada. |
| Humanitatian Protected Persons - Country of Asylum Class |
Applicants who are not Convention Refugees (according to the UN definition) must be in a similar set or circumstances to a Convention Refugee (namely a well-founded fear of persecution) AND must be OUTSIDE their country of nationality or habitual residence AND this country continues to be affected by conflict, war or massive violations of human rights. Applicants must also meet the requirement of being sponsored by an individual/group/government OR have sufficient financial resources. |
| Humanitarian Protected Persons - Source Country Class |
Applicants who are not Convention Refugees (according to the UN definition) must be in a similar set or circumstances to a Convention Refugee (namely a well-founded fear of persecution) AND must be INSIDE their country of nationality or habitual residence AND this country continues to be affected by conflict, war or massive violations of human rights AND this country must be on the list of Source Countries released by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. |
| Protected Temporary Residents Class |
Applicants must have made a claim for refugee protection from outside Canada and obtained a Temporary Resident Permit allowing then to travel to Canada to seek protection. |