🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Compare work visa requirements, eligibility criteria, processing times, and costs between Canada and New Zealand for skilled workers.
| Criteria | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| PR processing time | 6–12 months (Express Entry) | — |
| Points required | CRS score (minimum 481 recent draws) | — |
| Job offer for PR | Not required (Express Entry) | — |
| Green List / shortage | General skilled migration (no shortage list) | — |
| Language requirement | English (IELTS/CELPIP) or French | — |
| Annual immigration targets | ~485,000 PR (2024) | — |
| Pathway to citizenship | 3 years physical presence | — |
| Pacific focus | Global — all nationalities | — |
| Healthcare | Provincial Medicare (wait period applies) | — |
| Climate and lifestyle | Cold winters; diverse urban centres | — |
Summary: Canada has significantly higher annual immigration targets and more flexible eligibility without a job offer. New Zealand offers a Green List with fast-track PR for specific in-demand occupations. Both are English-speaking, English-only PR possible in both, and offer strong quality of life. Canada may be better for families and those without a specific occupation on NZ's Green List.