New NOC Changes 2026: In 2024, around 127,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada. (Photo: Unsplash)
How Indians can apply to immigrate to Canada: Canada receives more than 120,000 Indian citizens as permanent residents each year. Many move under economic immigration programmes, including those for skilled workers. CanadaVisa and Cohen Immigration Law say Indians continue to apply in large numbers due to work opportunities in sectors such as information technology, health and engineering.
Canada’s immigration system offers several pathways for applicants outside the country. Most Indians qualify through federal programs or the Provincial Nominee Program.
Why Indians choose Canada
Canada is seen as a secure and stable country with public health services and a recognised education system. More than one million people of Indian origin now live in Canada, and the number is increasing as the federal government expands immigration targets. Each year, some 120,000 Indian citizens are admitted as permanent residents.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the main route for overseas skilled workers with no prior work or study experience in Canada.
To qualify, applicants must meet minimum conditions:
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At least one year of continuous paid work experience in the last 10 years in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 role.
Language test results equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French.
A Canadian qualification or a foreign credential assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Proof of settlement funds for the applicant and dependants.
More than one million people of Indian origin now live in Canada, and the number is increasing as the federal government expands immigration targets. (Al-generated graphic)
Entering the Express Entry System
The FSWP operates through the federal Express Entry platform.
After confirming eligibility, applicants submit an online profile and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.
IRCC conducts draws about every two weeks and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence. The processing target under Express Entry is six months.
CanadaVisa notes that the federal government aims to admit more than 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry each year.
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Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories to select skilled workers to meet local labour needs.
Applicants may:
Apply directly to a province under a PNP stream, or
Enter the Express Entry pool and wait for a province to issue a nomination
A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream adds 600 CRS points and almost guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a later draw.
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments.
A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences.
Experience
Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting.
At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways.
Expertise
Her core areas of reporting include:
• Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information.
• Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments.
• Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities.
Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
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New NOC Changes 2026: In 2024, around 127,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada. (Photo: Unsplash) 
