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Canada PR from India: programs, fees and documents, as IRCC states them

Applicants in India use the same permanent residence programs as everyone else. IRCC's 2025 annual report records 94,105 economic-class admissions from India in 2024. The fee for a principal applicant is $1,590 with the right of permanent residence fee. India has its own police certificate page on canada.ca, and Express Entry applicants must get a medical exam after the invitation but before applying.

"Canada PR from India" is a high-volume search, and the results are crowded with agencies. This guide does something narrower. It sets out what IRCC publishes that applies when the applicant lives in India: the programs, the government fees, the proof of funds table, the document that most often needs planning (the Police Clearance Certificate), the medical exam and the education assessment.

It is not a guide to whether any person will be selected. Canadian permanent residence is decided case by case under rules that apply the same way regardless of nationality, and nothing here describes chances, scores needed or the likelihood of an invitation. Where the page mentions a number from IRCC, it is context, not a forecast.

The facts were read on 10 October 2026 on IRCC's 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, the IRCC fee list (modified 21 September 2026), IRCC's Express Entry proof of funds page (dated 22 June 2026), its India police certificate page (modified 25 February 2026), its medical exam page (dated 4 August 2026) and its police certificate pages (19 February 2026).

What the annual report records

IRCC's 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration says that "In 2024, 483,640 immigrants were admitted as permanent residents." In the report's table of economic-class admissions by source country for 2024, India is listed first with 94,105, followed by the Philippines (22,675), Cameroon (19,820), China (17,775) and Nigeria (15,440).

Two cautions about that figure: - It counts people who became permanent residents in 2024, across all economic programs, including provincial nominees and people already in Canada on temporary permits. It does not show how many applied, from where or by which route. - It describes the past. The report's annex says Budget 2025 will "stabilise permanent resident admission targets at 380,000 per year for three years," with a 2026 economic projection of 239,800. That is a plan, not an invitation count.

The numbers tell you the program is used widely by applicants from India. They say nothing about any one applicant. The rules, fees and documents below apply to everyone.

The programs, and where to read about each

The permanent residence routes available to an applicant in India are the same as for other countries: - Express Entry, which manages the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. See the guides on Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. - Category-based selection inside the Express Entry pool, covered in its own guide. - The Provincial Nominee Program, which has routes aligned with Express Entry and routes that are not. - Regional routes such as the Atlantic Immigration Program and community pilots. - Family sponsorship, which has its own set of guides on this site.

Each has different eligibility rules, and several depend on Canadian work experience, a provincial job offer or a family relationship. This guide does not say which one fits a particular person. Choosing a program for a specific person is advice that Canadian law reserves to licensed advisers, and the guides on the education assessment and language tests are a better starting point for general understanding.

If the plan involves a provincial nomination, note that the province decides on its own selection and the federal government then processes the permanent residence application. The guide on the Provincial Nominee Program explains the two routes.

Government fees for an economic-class application

As at the IRCC fee list modified 21 September 2026, the economic immigration fees (including Express Entry) are: - Principal applicant ("Your application"): $1,590.00. IRCC notes that this amount includes the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. - Principal applicant without the right of permanent residence fee: $990.00. - Spouse or partner included: $1,590.00, or $990.00 without the right of permanent residence fee. - Each dependent child: $270.00. - Right of permanent residence fee on its own: $600.00. - Biometrics for a family of two or more eligible people: a maximum of $170.00.

Other costs are paid to third parties and are not on IRCC's fee list: language tests, the education credential assessment, police certificates, medical exams, document translation and courier fees. The guide on Canada PR fees explains the structure, including how the right of permanent residence fee works.

An important check on price: any fee that someone asks for above the amounts here, in the name of IRCC, needs explaining. IRCC's fees are the ones on its fee list.

Proof of funds

IRCC's Express Entry proof of funds page (dated 22 June 2026, with the table marked "Updated July 7, 2025") says the funds requirement applies to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. It does not apply to applicants under the Canadian Experience Class, or to applicants who are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.

The table of minimum funds, in Canadian dollars, by family size: - 1 person: $15,263 - 2 people: $19,001 - 3 people: $23,360 - 4 people: $28,362 - 5 people: $32,168 - 6 people: $36,280 - 7 people: $40,392 - each additional family member: $4,112

IRCC says the funds "must be available to you both when" you apply and when Canada issues a permanent resident visa if the application is approved. Bank letters must be on the institution's letterhead and include its contact details, your name and any outstanding debts, and for each current account the account number, the date opened, the current balance and the average balance over the past six months.

The table is in Canadian dollars. The full guide on Express Entry proof of funds covers the exemptions in detail.

Education assessment and language tests

Education points and eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program depend on an educational credential assessment (ECA) for education completed outside Canada. IRCC designates the organizations that issue them, and the report must be less than five years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your application. The guide on the ECA lists the organizations IRCC names and explains how the report links to points. This applies to a credential from any country, including India.

Language results come from tests IRCC approves. The guide on language tests and CLB levels lists the tests and the conversion tables, and notes the two-year validity of results.

Both reports take time. Planning them early matters because the clock on an invitation is short: IRCC's police certificate page says an Express Entry candidate has 60 days to submit police certificates.

The police certificate for India

This is the document that most often needs advance planning, so it is worth reading IRCC's India page closely. The page, modified 25 February 2026, names the document as a "Police Clearance Certificate". IRCC says "You must provide a police certificate when you apply for permanent residence in Canada."

For India, the page lists four places to apply: - "at your local district police station" - a passport office (linked to the Passport India page) - an Indian embassy or consulate - a BLS International Centre

It adds three warnings: - "Character Certificates are not accepted." - "Some police clearance certificates have limitations relating to jurisdiction and time period having been searched." The page says such certificates will not be accepted. - There are different formats for the certificate depending on the issuing authority.

IRCC's "when" page sets timing. For the current country of residence, the certificate "must be issued no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application." For other countries, it "must be issued after the last time you resided there for 6 consecutive months or longer." For an Express Entry candidate, "you have 60 days to submit your police certificates." IRCC's overview says that if a certificate is not in English or French, you need a copy of the original and a certified translation.

A person who has lived in several places in India, or in more than one country, needs a certificate for each place where the rule applies. IRCC's general police certificate pages say the requirement covers each family member aged 18 or older, depending on the program.

The medical exam

IRCC's page, dated 4 August 2026, says: "If you apply for permanent residence, you must have an immigration medical exam." Family members need one too, even if they are not coming with you.

For Express Entry, the rule is timing: you "must get a medical exam after you receive your invitation to apply, but before you apply." For other permanent residence applications, you wait for IRCC's instructions after submitting a complete application and then have 30 days to get the exam.

Other points from the page: - "You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians." Your own doctor cannot do it. - You pay all exam-related fees at the appointment, and IRCC says it will not refund them if it refuses your application after the exam. IRCC's fee list does not list a medical exam fee. - Results are valid for 12 months. If you do not become a permanent resident in that period, you may need another exam. - Bring four recent photographs if the panel physician does not use eMedical, and check with the physician beforehand.

The guide on medical exams and police certificates covers these in more detail, including temporary residents.

Common problems

  • Applying for the wrong certificate. IRCC's page is clear that Character Certificates are not accepted.
  • A certificate that is too old for the date of submission, or one that does not cover the right period or jurisdiction.
  • Treating the number of admissions from India as a guide to an individual outcome. It is not.
  • Paying anyone more than IRCC's published fee for a government application.
  • Missing the 60-day window after an invitation because documents were not started earlier.
  • Giving answers on the forms that do not match supporting documents. Misrepresentation has serious consequences, covered in its own guide.

For forms, see the guides on IMM 0008, IMM 5669 and IMM 5562. This guide does not say how to answer any question.

Finding a regulated adviser

If you want a licensed immigration consultant or a lawyer to look at a permanent residence application from India, use the Migratio directory to find a regulated adviser, and check their licence on the official register before you sign anything. Migratio is a directory and booking platform. It does not give immigration advice, does not choose a program for anyone and has no connection to IRCC or any province.

Questions people ask

How much does Canada PR cost from India?

The IRCC fee list, modified 21 September 2026, shows $1,590 for a principal applicant including the right of permanent residence fee, $990 without it, $1,590 for an included spouse or partner and $270 per child. Biometrics are capped at $170 for a family of two or more.

What police certificate do I need from India for Canada PR?

IRCC's India page names a Police Clearance Certificate. It lists a local district police station, a passport office, an Indian embassy or consulate and a BLS International Centre as places to apply, and says Character Certificates are not accepted.

How long is a police certificate valid for Canadian PR?

For your current country of residence, IRCC says the certificate must be issued no more than six months before you submit the application. For other countries it must be issued after your last stay of six consecutive months or more.

Do I need a medical exam before applying for PR?

For Express Entry, IRCC says you must get a medical exam after the invitation to apply and before you apply. For other applications you wait for IRCC's instructions, then have 30 days. You must use a panel physician.

How much money do I need to show for Canada PR?

For the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs, IRCC's table shows $15,263 for one person, up to $40,392 for seven, and $4,112 for each additional member. The Canadian Experience Class and applicants with a valid job offer who are authorized to work are exempt.

How many people from India get Canadian PR each year?

IRCC's 2025 Annual Report records 94,105 economic-class admissions from India in 2024. That is a past count and says nothing about any individual application.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-10.

Related guides

  • Canada PR Fees 2026: Application Fee and the $600 RPRF — On the IRCC fee list (date modified 21 September 2026), an economic permanent residence application, including Express Entry, is $1,590 with the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) and $990 without it. A spouse or partner included on the application is the same again, and each dependent child is $270. IRCC says it refunds the RPRF if you withdraw or it refuses the application.
  • Express Entry Proof of Funds 2026: Amounts by Family Size — IRCC's settlement funds table (marked updated July 7, 2025, on a page dated 22 June 2026) runs from $15,263 for one person to $40,392 for seven, plus $4,112 for each person beyond seven. IRCC says Canadian Experience Class applicants and people authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer do not need to show proof of funds.
  • Educational credential assessment (ECA) for Canada: who issues it and what it is used for — An educational credential assessment (ECA) is a report from an organization IRCC has designated. It says what a credential earned outside Canada is equal to in Canada. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program it must be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your application. Fees and times differ by organization, so check each one.
  • Language tests for Canada PR: the approved tests and how scores become CLB levels — For Express Entry, IRCC accepts five tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core in English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada in French. Results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you apply. Scores are converted into Canadian Language Benchmark (English) or NCLC (French) levels, and the minimum level depends on the program.
  • Medical exam and police certificates for Canada: who needs them, when, and how long they last — IRCC requires an immigration medical exam from a panel physician for permanent residence applicants, and for some temporary residents. Results are valid for 12 months. Police certificates are required for permanent residence, citizenship and International Experience Canada. Express Entry candidates must get the medical exam after the invitation but before applying, and have 60 days to submit police certificates.
  • Express Entry explained: how the system and its three programs work — Express Entry is an online system IRCC uses to manage applications for permanent residence under three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. You create a profile, candidates with the highest scores are invited in rounds, invited candidates apply, and an officer decides. This page explains the mechanics. It cannot tell you whether you are eligible.