What Is Immigration? Meaning, Types, and Complete Guide (2026) | ImmigraCan

What is immigration?

Immigration is the act of a person entering a country that isn't their own with the intention of living there temporarily or permanently. It's one of the oldest and most important phenomena in human history — today, more than 280 million people worldwide live outside the country where they were born, according to UN data.

This guide explains in detail the meaning of the term, the main types, the difference between immigration and emigration, and what's changing on the Canadian landscape in 2026.

Meaning of the term

The word "immigration" comes from the Latin *immigrare*, meaning "to enter a new place." The term is used from the perspective of the receiving country. When someone leaves Brazil to live in Canada:

• For Brazil, that person is an emigrant (leaves the country)
• For Canada, that same person is an immigrant (enters the country)

It's the same movement seen from two different angles.

Difference between immigration and emigration

| Concept | Direction | Perspective |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | Entry | From the destination country |
| Emigration | Departure | From the country of origin |
| Migration | Movement in general | Neutral term, no direction |

The same individual can be called an immigrant or an emigrant depending on where you're looking from. Official immigration statistics are published by each country about its own entries — Brazilian emigration data to Canada is measured by IRCC, not by the Brazilian government.

Main types of immigration

1. Economic immigration

The person migrates in search of work, business, or a better quality of life. It's the most common category globally and accounts for most Canadian programs:

• Express Entry (FSW, CEC, FST)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
• Business programs (Start-Up Visa, Self-employed)
• Work permits with a pathway to PR (LMIA, ICP)

2. Humanitarian immigration

The person flees persecution, war, or disaster. Includes:

• Refugees recognized by UNHCR or Canada's IRB
• Asylum seekers
• Stateless persons

Canada admits between 40,000 and 60,000 people per year in this category, with processes governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

3. Family reunification

When a citizen or permanent resident brings over a spouse, children, parents, or grandparents. In Canada this includes:

• Spousal Sponsorship
• Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
• Super Visa (long-stay visa for parents and grandparents)
• Dependent Child Sponsorship

4. Study immigration

Those who enter the country to pursue higher or technical education, generally with a plan to continue afterward. Includes study permits, the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit), and the transition to permanent residence via a PNP or the CEC.

5. Temporary immigration

A broad category that includes tourists, temporary work permits, caregivers, seasonal farm workers, and other short-term programs. It's not a direct path to PR, but many people transition from this category into the ones above.

Immigration to Canada in 2026

Canada is today one of the world's most organized destinations for planned immigration. The 2025-2027 Levels Plan calls for admitting roughly 395,000 permanent residents per year — a reduced number compared to 2023-2024, but still high in a global context.

The main channels in 2026 are:

• Express Entry — a points system (CRS) that ranks candidates
• PNPs — each province has its own programs (Ontario's OINP, BC PNP, Alberta's AAIP, etc.)
• Family Sponsorship — reunification with family members
• Study → PGWP → PR — the education pathway

To find out which program fits your profile, use our free eligibility quiz — it takes 5 minutes and is built for Brazilians.

How the process works (in broad strokes)

Every Canadian immigration process follows similar steps:

1. Eligibility — do you meet the criteria of the chosen program?
2. Documentation — passport, language tests, ECA (education assessment), proof of funds
3. Application — submitted to IRCC (federal) or the province (PNP)
4. Review and AOR — Acknowledgement of Receipt
5. Decision — approval, refusal, or request for more documents
6. COPR and landing — if approved, you enter Canada as a PR

Each program has its own timelines — Express Entry usually decides in 5-6 months, PNPs range from 6 to 18 months, and family sponsorship can take more than 12 months.

Important terms

• PR — Permanent Resident
• CRS — Comprehensive Ranking System (Express Entry score)
• CLB — Canadian Language Benchmark (language scale)
• IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• NOC — National Occupational Classification (occupation code)
• ITA — Invitation to Apply (official invitation after a draw)
• AOR — Acknowledgement of Receipt (IRCC's receipt confirmation)
• PGWP — Post-Graduation Work Permit
• ECA — Educational Credential Assessment

Conclusion

Immigration is a complex, multifaceted process, but Canada has one of the world's most structured systems. Understanding the basic concepts — what immigration is, the existing types, and the technical vocabulary — is the first step to planning your journey with clarity.

If you want to know where to start, take our eligibility quiz and find out which program makes the most sense for your profile. If you already have a clear target, use our CRS calculator to simulate your Express Entry score.

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*This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official data at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.*