Move to Canada from India
Canada still gives permanent residence to skilled workers who have never set foot in the country. What changed is how it chooses them. In 2026, a high score alone rarely gets an invitation. Your occupation, your French, or a provincial nomination does.
This page explains the routes that are working for Indian applicants this year, and helps you find yours.
What changed, in plain terms
For years the advice was simple: get your CRS score as high as possible and wait for a general draw. That advice is out of date.
- Draws are now targeted. In 2026, Express Entry invitations have gone to three groups: people already working in Canada, provincial nominees, and people in priority categories such as French speakers, healthcare workers and tradespeople.
- Job offer points are gone. Since March 2025, a Canadian job offer adds no CRS points.
- The gap between categories is wide. This year, Canadian Experience Class rounds have cleared between 507 and 523. French-language rounds have cleared as low as 382.
For an applicant in India, the question to ask is no longer “what is my score?” It is “which draw am I eligible for?”
The routes to Canada at a glance
| Route | Leads to | Who it suits in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry, category-based | PR directly | Healthcare workers, tradespeople, teachers, STEM professionals and French speakers |
| Provincial Nominee Program | PR directly | People whose occupation a province is short of, often with lower CRS scores |
| French-language route | PR directly | Anyone willing to reach intermediate French. The lowest cut-offs in the system |
| Study, then work, then PR | PR in stages | Younger applicants who can fund a Canadian qualification |
| Work permit, then PR | PR in stages | People with a Canadian employer willing to sponsor them |
| Family sponsorship | PR directly | Spouses, partners, children and parents of Canadians and permanent residents |
| Visitor and Super Visa | Temporary stay | Tourists, and parents and grandparents visiting family |
Which route fits you?
You are a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist or other health professional. Healthcare category draws have cleared between 467 and 475 this year. With strong English and a master’s or two bachelor’s degrees, that is within reach from India.
You are an electrician, plumber, welder, carpenter or other tradesperson. Trades draws have cleared around 476 to 477. Provinces also nominate trades directly.
You work in IT, engineering, finance or management with a score of 440 to 490. You are unlikely to be invited on score alone. Your realistic options are French, a provincial nomination, or a category your occupation falls into.
You are willing to learn French. This is the single most effective thing an Indian applicant can do. French at NCLC 7 opens draws with cut-offs around 380 to 420 and adds up to 50 CRS points.
You are under 25 with a bachelor’s degree. Study in Canada, followed by Canadian work experience, puts you into the Canadian Experience Class, which is drawn regularly.
Your spouse, parent or child is in Canada. Family sponsorship does not depend on points at all.
What it costs
| Item | Amount in 2026 |
|---|---|
| PR application, per adult | CAD $1,590 ($990 processing plus $600 right of permanent residence fee) |
| Dependent child | CAD $270 |
| Biometrics | CAD $85 per person |
| Settlement funds, single applicant | CAD $15,263 |
| Settlement funds, family of four | CAD $28,362 |
| Language test, ECA, medicals, police certificates | Paid to third parties, vary |
Settlement funds are not a fee. It is your own money, shown in your bank accounts, and you take it with you.
How long it takes
Most of the time goes before you are invited: language tests, credential assessment, and waiting for a draw you qualify for. Once you are invited, you have 60 days to submit, and Canada aims to process most Express Entry applications in about six months.
Questions people ask us most
Is Canada PR still possible from India in 2026?
Yes, but through targeted draws and provincial nominations, not on a high score alone.
What CRS score do I need?
It depends on the draw. In 2026: about 382 to 420 for French, 467 to 475 for healthcare, around 476 for trades, and 507 to 523 for the Canadian Experience Class.
Do I need a job offer?
No. A job offer no longer adds CRS points, though it can exempt you from settlement funds and helps with some provincial streams.
How much money do I need to show?
CAD $15,263 for a single applicant and CAD $28,362 for a family of four, held for at least six months.
Is there an age limit?
No, but CRS points for age fall each year after 29 and reach zero at 45.
Find your route before you spend on tests
Tell us your age, education, occupation and language scores. We will tell you which draws and provinces you are eligible for, and what would move you into range.