Permanent residence: the right pathway starts with where you'll live.

Permanent residence lets you live, work and study anywhere in Canada without a temporary permit. To keep it, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years; those days don't need to be continuous.

Visa Canada Rouge, an immigration consulting firm in Montréal, compares the pathways actually open to your profile before preparing anything. Criteria change often: every requirement is checked at the time you apply.

First question: Québec, or elsewhere in Canada?

Québec selects its own economic immigrants under an agreement with the federal government. That changes everything:

• You'll settle in Québec: the economic route goes through Québec selection (PSTQ, PEQ), which leads to a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), then a permanent residence application to IRCC.
• You'll settle elsewhere in Canada: the economic routes are Express Entry and the provincial nominee programs.

Our guide Express Entry or Québec selection compares the two, and Canadian permanent residence: start with where you will live covers all the options.

Economic pathways outside Québec

Express Entry

The federal system that manages three programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades. Your profile gets a score (CRS), and IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates, sometimes by category, including French. Once invited, you have 60 days to apply. Candidates must plan to live outside Québec. See our Express Entry page.

Provincial nominee programs (PNP)

Each province and territory can nominate candidates who meet its needs and want to settle there, under its own streams and criteria. According to IRCC, Québec and Nunavut don't have these programs. There are two ways to apply:

• Through Express Entry: if you qualify for a federal program, a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your profile.
• Outside Express Entry: if you qualify for the province's stream but not for a federal program, you apply through the non-Express Entry process.

See our guide provincial nominee programs or Québec selection.

Economic pathways in Québec

• The PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program): an expression of interest in Arrima, an invitation from Québec, then a selection application. Four streams with specific French levels. See our PSTQ page.
• The PEQ (Québec Experience Program): temporarily reopened, with applications accepted until October 31, 2026 for certain Québec graduates and temporary workers. See our PEQ page.
• Québec's business programs (investors, entrepreneurs, self-employed workers): they have their own conditions and intake periods; check their status on quebec.ca.

Québec selection leads to a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ). That isn't permanent residence yet: you then apply to IRCC, which assesses admissibility (health, security, history).

Family and humanitarian pathways

• Family sponsorship: a citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse or partner, dependent children and, depending on the program's status, other family members. See our family sponsorship page.
• Humanitarian and compassionate grounds: an exceptional pathway for someone already in Canada whose situation justifies an exemption from the usual rules. See our humanitarian grounds page.
• Asylum: a claim made in Canada or at a port of entry, decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board. See our IRB representation page.

Steps common to every pathway

1. Choose the pathway based on the province, your experience, education, language and family.
2. Gather the evidence before applying: valid language tests, credential assessment if required, detailed employment letters, proof of funds depending on the program.
3. Submit the application to the province, to Québec or directly to IRCC, as the case may be.
4. Pass the federal checks: medical exam, police certificates, biometrics.
5. Confirm permanent residence, then meet the residency obligation of 730 days in five years.

Federal permanent residence fees

• Provincial nominee or Québec-selected skilled worker: $1,590 for the principal applicant and for a spouse or partner, including the right of permanent residence fee ($990 without it)
• Dependent child: $270 per child
• Right of permanent residence fee alone: $600

Québec's or the province's fees are added, along with biometrics. Check IRCC's fee list when you pay.

Keeping your permanent residence

Your status isn't lost when your card expires. It's lost, for example, after an inquiry or appeal finding that you didn't meet the residency obligation, by voluntary renunciation, when a removal order comes into force, or when you become a Canadian citizen. Our guide to PR card renewal and the residency obligation explains how to count your days.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Aiming for Express Entry while planning to live in Québec, or the reverse.
• Letting a language test or temporary permit expire mid-process.
• Assuming a CSQ or provincial nomination grants permanent residence: the federal application still has to be made.
• Claiming experience that doesn't meet the criteria (hours, TEER category, legal status).
• Leaving a family member out of the application: all must be declared, even those not coming with you.

What we do for you

• Compare the pathways open to your profile: Québec, Express Entry, a province, family
• Spot what's missing (language, experience, education) and the shortest way to fill the gap
• Prepare the provincial or Québec application, then the federal application
• Plan how to keep your temporary status while you wait

To take stock, book an online consultation or describe your situation.

Frequently asked questions

I live in Québec. Can I use Express Entry?

Express Entry programs are for people who plan to live outside Québec. To settle in Québec, the economic route goes through Québec selection (PSTQ or PEQ).

Does a provincial nomination guarantee permanent residence?

No. It adds 600 points in Express Entry or allows a non-Express Entry application, but IRCC then assesses the application and admissibility.

How many days must I spend in Canada to keep my status?

At least 730 days in the last five years, not necessarily continuous. Some time spent abroad may count, under IRCC's rules.

Does Québec have a provincial nominee program?

No. According to IRCC, Québec and Nunavut don't have provincial nominee programs. Québec selects its workers through the PSTQ and the PEQ.

Can my family be included in my application?

Yes, your spouse or partner and dependent children can be included, with their own fees. All family members must be declared, even if they're not coming with you.

Where do I start?

With the province where you plan to live, then an honest look at your language, experience and education. That's exactly what a consultation covers.

Official sources: IRCC, "Express Entry", "Immigrate as a provincial nominee", "Quebec-selected skilled workers", "Understand permanent resident status" and "Citizenship and immigration application fees" (September 21, 2026); Government of Québec, "Immigrer au Québec de façon permanente" and "Programmes pour les travailleurs qualifiés" (in French, January 13, 2026). Accessed October 11, 2026.