In Canada, the federal immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), decides who becomes a permanent resident, the status that lets you live and work in Canada with no time limit. Most provinces and territories also choose some immigrants of their own through a provincial nominee program: the province nominates the people it wants, and IRCC then decides on their permanent residence.

Each province looks for different people, so where you want to live can change which route fits you. IRCC notes that Quebec and Nunavut do not run provincial nominee programs. Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada, so its skilled workers apply to Quebec before they apply for permanent residence. People moving to Nunavut use the federal routes.

Wherever you settle, IRCC's free newcomer services finder lists the settlement services near you that eligible permanent residents and some temporary residents can use.