Philippines to Canada Migration Guide
The Philippines is Canada's top source of new permanent residents. From Express Entry to caregiver pathways and family sponsorship, this guide covers every route available to Filipino migrants seeking a new life in Canada.
24 min read·Updated March 2026·12-step checklist included
Timeline
6 months – 3 years
Est. Cost
CAD $2,000 – $15,000+
Checklist
12 steps
Difficulty
Moderate
On this page
Guide Overview
The Philippines is Canada's top source of new permanent residents. From Express Entry to caregiver pathways and family sponsorship, this guide covers every route available to Filipino migrants seeking a new life in Canada.
This guide includes all required documents, a detailed step-by-step application process, common mistakes to avoid, cost breakdowns, and an interactive checklist to track your progress. Bookmark this page and use the checklist as you work through each stage.
Required Documents
- Valid Philippine passport (with at least 6 months validity beyond planned travel date)
- PSA-authenticated birth certificate (obtained from Philippine Statistics Authority)
- NBI clearance (National Bureau of Investigation clearance certificate) — valid for 1 year
- Police clearance from any country where you lived for 6+ months since age 18
- IELTS General Training or CELPIP-General English test results (valid for 2 years)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from WES or other IRCC-designated organization
- Proof of work experience — employment certificates, payslips, and reference letters on company letterhead
- Proof of settlement funds — bank certificates, investment statements showing minimum required funds
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-designated panel physician in the Philippines
- Marriage certificate / PSA-authenticated (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs (per Canadian visa photo specifications: 35mm x 45mm)
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Step 1: Determine your immigration pathway — Use the IRCC Come to Canada tool to assess your eligibility for Express Entry, PNP, or other programs.
- Step 2: Take English language test (IELTS or CELPIP) — Register and take the test at an approved centre in the Philippines. Aim for CLB 7+ for competitive Express Entry scores.
- Step 3: Get your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — Submit your Philippine degree to WES (World Education Services) for equivalency assessment. This takes 4-8 weeks.
- Step 4: Create an Express Entry profile — Enter your information into the IRCC online system. You'll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on age, education, language, and work experience.
- Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) — If your CRS score meets the cutoff in a draw, you'll receive an ITA. You then have 60 days to submit a complete PR application.
- Step 6: Submit your permanent residence application — Upload all required documents, pay processing fees, and submit biometrics at a designated collection point.
- Step 7: Complete medical examination — Book with an IRCC-designated panel physician in Manila, Cebu, or other approved locations.
- Step 8: Obtain police clearances — NBI clearance plus clearances from any country where you've lived 6+ months since age 18.
- Step 9: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) — If approved, you'll receive your COPR and a single-entry visa to travel to Canada.
- Step 10: Land in Canada as a permanent resident — Present your COPR at the Canadian port of entry. Your PR card will be mailed to your Canadian address.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated ECA reports — ECA reports for immigration purposes are valid for 5 years. Ensure yours hasn't expired before creating your Express Entry profile.
- Underestimating English language requirements — CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 in each band) is the minimum for Federal Skilled Worker, but you need CLB 9+ to be competitive.
- Incorrect calculation of work experience — Only count work experience that matches your NOC code. Part-time work is calculated differently (1,560 hours = 1 year full-time).
- Not claiming provincial nominee points — A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA. Research which provinces are seeking your skills.
- Incomplete proof of funds — Single applicants need CAD $14,690; families need more. Funds must be available and transferable (not locked in investments).
- Missing the 60-day ITA deadline — Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, you have exactly 60 days. Have all documents ready BEFORE you receive the ITA.
- Failing to disclose travel history — IRCC checks entry/exit records. Undisclosed travel to any country can result in refusal for misrepresentation.
- Not getting PSA-authenticated documents — Regular photocopy or local civil registry copies are not accepted. You must obtain PSA-authenticated copies.
Estimated Costs Breakdown
- Express Entry PR application fee: CAD $1,365 (principal applicant)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD $515
- Biometrics fee: CAD $85 per person
- IELTS test fee: approximately PHP 12,000 (≈CAD $290)
- WES Educational Credential Assessment: CAD $220 + courier fees
- NBI clearance: PHP 155 – PHP 655
- Medical examination: PHP 5,000 – PHP 8,000 (≈CAD $120 – $200)
- Document translation (per page): PHP 500 – PHP 1,500
- Proof of funds requirement: CAD $14,690 (single) – $38,000+ (family of 6)
- Immigration consultant fees (optional): CAD $2,000 – $6,000
Interactive Migration Checklist
Track your progress — your checklist is saved automatically in your browser.
Useful Links & Resources
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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation. Information is current as of March 2026.