Canada residence and citizenship
The lowest comparable cited investment amount on file for a residence route in Canada is $106,210, for the Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup outside Montréal. Ordinary naturalisation in Canada needs 3 years of legal residence.
Checked — Sources last checked 10 November 2026 by the automated residence and citizenship review.
Residence routes in Canada
Investment, own-income, remote-work and permanent routes. Scroll across the table to see every column.
| Route | Kind | Minimum | Processing | To citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Québec Investor Program | Residence by investment | $708,065 | — | — |
| Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup outside Montréal | Investor | $106,210 | — | — |
| Québec Entrepreneur Program — business takeover outside Montréal | Investor | $106,210 | — | — |
| Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup in Montréal | Investor | $212,419 | — | — |
| Québec Entrepreneur Program — business takeover in Montréal | Investor | $212,419 | — | — |
| Québec Entrepreneur Program — innovative business | Investor | — | — | — |
| Digital nomad visitor status | Remote work | — | — | — |
| Federal Skilled Worker — Express Entry | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Federal Skilled Trades — Express Entry | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Canadian Experience Class — Express Entry | Permanent residence | — | — | — |
| Provincial Nominee Program | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Québec Skilled Worker Selection Program | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Rural Community Immigration Program | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
| Francophone Community Immigration Pilot | Permanent residence | — | — | 3 years |
"Minimum" is a cited investment threshold in its stated currency. A USD figure appears only when a supported conversion is on file; "—" means no supported amount is on file, not that it is free. "To citizenship" counts the years of residence before a naturalisation application. A zero-year entry states no residence wait; citizenship still needs a separate decision.
Work, family, study and other routes (5)
| Route | Kind | Minimum | Processing | To citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Québec Self-Employed Worker Program — outside Montréal | Residence permit | $17,702 | — | — |
| Québec Self-Employed Worker Program — Montréal | Residence permit | $35,403 | — | — |
| Entrepreneur significant-benefit work permit | Work | — | — | — |
| Employer-specific work permit | Work | — | — | — |
| Spouse or partner sponsorship | Family | — | — | 3 years |
Each route's conditions and sources
Québec Investor Program
Open for applications. Refundable five-year investment CAD 1,000,000 / 1.4123 = USD 708,064.86; the nonrefundable CAD 200,000 contribution is a separate required cost. Québec selection fee CAD 18,241 / 1.4123 = USD 12,915.81; later federal business PR charge and work-permit charges are additional. A 12-month Québec stay is a programme prerequisite, not processing time. PR and citizenship timing depend on selection and physical presence. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec investor conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec investor application fee (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canada residence by investment (Henley & Partners, summary)
Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup outside Montréal
CAD 150,000 startup or operating spend / 1.4123 = USD 106,209.73; at least 25% original capital stake and other selection conditions. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal PR charge extra. Work permit, business operation and selection precede PR; no reliable total processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec entrepreneur business startup conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Entrepreneur Program — business takeover outside Montréal
CAD 150,000 takeover expenses / 1.4123 = USD 106,209.73, plus control of the business and specialist organization support. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal PR fee extra. No verified processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec entrepreneur business takeover conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup in Montréal
CAD 300,000 startup or operating spend / 1.4123 = USD 212,419.46; at least 25% original capital stake. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal PR charge extra. Staged selection and work permit make processing and citizenship clock uncertain. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec entrepreneur business startup conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Entrepreneur Program — business takeover in Montréal
CAD 300,000 takeover expenses / 1.4123 = USD 212,419.46, plus business control and specialist organization support. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal PR fee extra. No verified processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec entrepreneur business takeover conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Entrepreneur Program — innovative business
Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal PR fee extra. Processing and citizenship calendar depend on later selection. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec innovative business conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Digital nomad visitor status
Remote work for an employer outside Canada permits visitor status for up to six months. This is not a residence or PR programme; six months is permitted stay, not processing. Visitor entry fees depend on passport and are not established here; no direct citizenship path. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Digital nomads in Canada (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Federal Skilled Worker — Express Entry
Direct PR for selected foreign-experienced skilled workers. Federal principal fee including right of PR: CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82. No investment requirement or guaranteed processing bound; six-month service standard is not a maximum. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Federal Skilled Worker Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Federal Skilled Trades — Express Entry
Direct PR for selected qualified trades workers. Federal principal fee including right of PR: CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82. No investment requirement or guaranteed processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Federal Skilled Trades Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Canadian Experience Class — Express Entry
PR for selected applicants with qualifying Canadian skilled work. Federal principal fee including right of PR: CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82. Prior lawful work time can count half toward citizenship, but invitation and PR timing vary. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Canadian Experience Class (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Provincial Nominee Program
Requires qualifying provincial or territorial nomination; province-specific business and worker streams differ. Federal principal PR fee CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82; separate provincial charges and business capital vary, so no universal investment minimum or processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Provincial Nominee Program eligibility (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Atlantic Immigration Program
Employer-supported PR for qualifying skilled workers and Atlantic graduates. Federal principal PR fee CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82. No investment and no guaranteed processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Atlantic Immigration Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Skilled Worker Selection Program
Invited skilled worker selected by Québec then applies for federal PR. Federal principal PR fee CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82; additional Québec selection fee varies. No investment or verified processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec Skilled Worker Selection Program (Gouvernement du Québec), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Rural Community Immigration Program
Employer and community supported PR for skilled workers and graduates in participating communities. Federal economic principal fee CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82; no capital investment or guaranteed processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Rural Community Immigration Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
French-speaking skilled worker with designated employer in a participating community. Federal principal PR fee CAD 1,590 / 1.4123 = USD 1,125.82. No investment or guaranteed processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Federal 2026 permanent residence fees (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Self-Employed Worker Program — outside Montréal
CAD 25,000 startup deposit / 1.4123 = USD 17,701.62; refundable deposit is recorded as bank deposit rather than income or net-worth test. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal business PR fee extra. No verified processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec self-employed worker conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Québec Self-Employed Worker Program — Montréal
CAD 50,000 startup deposit / 1.4123 = USD 35,403.24; refundable deposit is recorded as bank deposit, distinct from CAD 100,000 minimum net worth. Québec selection fee CAD 1,272 / 1.4123 = USD 900.66; federal business PR fee extra. No verified processing bound. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Québec self-employed worker conditions (Gouvernement du Québec), Québec 2026 business selection fees (Gouvernement du Québec), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Entrepreneur significant-benefit work permit
Self-sponsored entrepreneur may seek an LMIA-exempt permit for a business creating significant Canadian benefit. No prescribed personal investment floor in cited authority; no automatic PR. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Entrepreneur work permit (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Employer-specific work permit
Temporary employer-specific permission, potentially followed by Canadian Experience Class or PNP PR if independently eligible; no automatic PR or fixed citizenship clock. CAD 155 permit processing fee / 1.4123 = USD 109.75; employer charges may be additional. No capital investment or guaranteed processing bound. Eligibility follows job offer and permit conditions, not nationality. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Employer-specific work permit (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Work permit processing charge (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian Experience Class (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 (Bank of Canada)
Spouse or partner sponsorship
A qualifying citizen or PR sponsors spouse or partner for PR. No investment threshold. Citizenship after three qualifying Canadian years from PR if resident throughout. Citizenship requires 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days within five years and PR status; a direct PR holder resident throughout can apply after three years. Earlier temporary-resident days count half, up to 365 days.
Sources: Family sponsorship (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), Canadian citizenship physical presence (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Citizenship in Canada
- Years of residence before naturalisation: 3 years
- Years before permanent residence: not stated
- Dual citizenship allowed: Yes
- Language: English or French speaking and listening at CLB 4 for ages 18–54, subject to exemptions
- Residence and presence: 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days in five years; pre-PR temporary days count half to 365-day maximum
No direct citizenship-by-investment programme. Citizenship requires PR status and 1,095 qualifying presence days in the preceding five years. Up to 365 days may be credited for pre-PR temporary or protected status at half a day per day. No universal years-to-PR figure because economic and family routes can grant direct PR and business permits require stages.
What is the cheapest residence visa in Canada?
The lowest comparable cited investment amount on file for a residence route in Canada is $106,210, for the Québec Entrepreneur Program — business startup outside Montréal. Routes for people living on their own income or working remotely (Digital nomad visitor status) ask for proof of income, not an investment.
How many years to citizenship in Canada?
Ordinary naturalisation in Canada needs 3 years of legal residence. 1,095 qualifying physical-presence days in five years; pre-PR temporary days count half to 365-day maximum.
Does Canada allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Canada lets a new citizen keep another nationality, subject to the other country's rules.
Tax and residence days
A residence permit and tax residence are different tests. See the Canada tax rates, count your days with the Canada day test and see what changed in the data, day by day.
Sources
The Canada profile cites 28 sources, 27 of them from a government or a statute. Data as of 2026-Q4.
- Québec investor conditions · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec investor application fee · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec entrepreneur business startup conditions · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec entrepreneur business takeover conditions · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec innovative business conditions · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec self-employed worker conditions · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec 2026 business selection fees · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Federal Skilled Worker Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Federal Skilled Trades Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Canadian Experience Class · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Provincial Nominee Program eligibility · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Atlantic Immigration Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Family sponsorship · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Entrepreneur work permit · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Digital nomads in Canada · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Federal Start-Up Visa pause · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Federal Self-Employed Persons pause · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Federal 2026 permanent residence fees · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Canadian citizenship physical presence · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Canadian dual citizenship · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Citizenship language proof · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily rate 9 November 2026 · Bank of Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Québec Skilled Worker Selection Program · Gouvernement du Québec, official, read 10 November 2026
- Rural Community Immigration Program · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Employer-specific work permit · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Work permit processing charge · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official, read 10 November 2026
- Canada residence by investment · Henley & Partners, summary, read 10 November 2026
Rules, fees and minimums change, and many routes have conditions not shown here. Did you find an error? Tell us, with the source.
Other countries in North America: Mexico, United States. See every country.