Employer-specific work permit — only with a Canadian job offer
Work route through a Canadian employer: the employer first obtains an LMIA or Global Talent Stream approval, then the worker applies for an employer-specific work permit. Without a Canadian employer willing to run LMIA/GTS, this path effectively does not exist: unlike Express Entry, an offer is mandatory here, while Express Entry without an offer currently has no general-draw entry point. GTS is faster: LMIA usually ~10 business days and the work permit another ~10 business days, so ~4–6 weeks after the offer is realistic; ordinary high-wage LMIA is much longer (~88 business days). The employer pays the CAD 1,000 LMIA fee; the worker pays CAD 155 for the work permit and CAD 85 for biometrics. Wage must meet the prevailing wage: the higher of the occupation median and the employer's own wage range; from 17.07.2026 the high-wage threshold is provincial median + 20% (Ontario orientation ~CAD 36.92/hr ≈ CAD 4,590/mo at 40 h/wk). GTS Category A/B wage floors of CAD 80k / CAD 150k apply for subsequent positions. There is no ban for RU citizens, but since 28.01.2026 VACs in Russia no longer accept passports for visa counterfoils: the passport for a TRV usually goes via Yerevan/Almaty/Astana; biometrics can still be given in Russia. ⚠️ Risks: the permit is employer-tied, changing employer needs a new basis/application, and sanctions may create transfer and compliance friction. After ≥1 year of skilled Canadian experience — PR via Express Entry CEC or PNP; Canada allows dual citizenship.
Path — Canada · updated 2026-08-30
Timing depends on an external condition — not predictable in advance
The CAD 1,000 LMIA fee is paid by the employer
CAD 155 for the work permit and CAD 85 for biometrics
Timing depends on an external condition — not predictable in advance
CAD 155 for a new or extended work permit
Timing depends on an external condition — not predictable in advance
CAD 653: a CAD 530 fee and CAD 123 right of citizenship
Entry via education under the study permit cap
The classic chain: admission to a designated learning institution (DLI) → study permit → after graduation an open Post-Graduation Work Permit (up to 3 yr) → Canadian work experience → PR via Express Entry (CEC/categories) or provincial programs. No ban for Russian citizens, but a cap applies since 2024: in 2026 IRCC will accept only 309,670 PAL/TAL applications (~155k new students — nearly half the 2025 plan); master's and PhD students at public DLIs are PAL-exempt from 01.01.2026. Funds required: CAD 22,895/yr living costs (outside Quebec) plus first-year tuition. ⚠️ Language for study is set by the school, but for PGWP since 01.11.2024 IRCC requires CLB 7 (degrees) / CLB 5 (colleges). ⚠️ Since 28.01.2026 the passport must be submitted via a VAC outside Russia (Yerevan/Almaty/Astana); moving money from Russia is complicated by sanctions. Realistic outcome: PR ~3–5 yr after starting studies, citizenship after another 3 yr as a PR (pre-PR study time counts at 0.5 day/day, up to 365 days).
Path — Canada · updated 2026-08-30
School application CAD 100–150 and a language test at $250–330
CAD 150 for the study permit and CAD 85 for biometrics
Tuition — CAD 15,000–40,000 a year
CAD 255: 155 for the permit and 100 for the open work permit
A CAD 990 fee and CAD 600 RPRF
CAD 653: a CAD 530 fee and CAD 123 right of citizenship