FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about how PathwayMatch works and the immigration basics people ask about most.
- Is PathwayMatch an official or government website?
- No. PathwayMatch is an independent, informational tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Government of Canada, IRCC, or any other authority.
- Does PathwayMatch give legal or immigration advice?
- No. It organizes your answers into likely directions to research. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
- Is it free to use?
- Yes. The assessment and tools are free and run entirely in your browser.
- Is my information stored or sent anywhere?
- No. Your answers stay in your browser for the current session and are never sent to a server. They clear when you close the tab or choose to clear them.
- What is a NOC code?
- A National Occupational Classification (NOC) code groups jobs by their duties and skill level, called TEER. Your NOC shapes which immigration programs you can use.
- What is CLB?
- The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is a common scale used to measure English and French ability. Language test scores are converted to CLB so programs can compare applicants consistently.
- Do I need a language test?
- Almost always. Nearly every federal and provincial economic route requires an approved language test result, and your scores strongly affect your points.
- Do I need an ECA?
- If your education was earned outside Canada, most federal skilled streams require an Educational Credential Assessment. Education earned in Canada usually does not need one.
- Can I immigrate without a job offer?
- Often, yes. Many people use federal Express Entry streams without a job offer. Some routes, such as employer-driven programs, do require one.
- How accurate are the results?
- They are informational estimates based on public frameworks and the details you provide. Always confirm your NOC and program eligibility against official sources before acting.
- What about the Start-up Visa or Self-Employed Persons Program?
- As of August 2026, both are effectively closed to new applicants: the federal Start-up Visa Program stopped accepting new applications on January 1, 2026, and the Self-Employed Persons Program has been suspended since April 2024 with no announced reopening date. Because of this, they are not included in this tool's program matching. Current alternatives for entrepreneurs include the C11 work permit and several provinces' own entrepreneur-focused nominee streams. Check official Government of Canada sources for the latest status before making plans.
- What about sponsoring my parents or grandparents (PGP)?
- As of August 2026, the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is not accepting new applicants. IRCC paused new intake on January 1, 2026, and is only processing sponsors already invited from a pool of interest forms submitted back in 2020. If you did not submit an interest form in 2020, there is currently no way into the PGP. The practical alternative most families use right now is the Super Visa, a long-stay visitor visa (up to 5 years per entry, valid 10 years) that does not lead to permanent residence but is open year-round. This is different from spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, which remains open and is covered in our spousal sponsorship guide.
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