Colombia

Why Colombians choose Canada

Thousands of Colombians are choosing Canada to build a safer, brighter future. This journey is about more than numbers, it’s about hope, stability, and belonging.

71,200

Colombians

33,400

Permanent Residents

68,000

Temporary Visas

69.7%

Approval Rate

Population 71,200 Colombians in Canada in 2025

Colombians Building Home in Canada

As of the 2021 Census, 71,205 Colombians were already in the country.  Most are in Ontario (42%) and Quebec (35%), where strong communities continue to grow. From Toronto to Montreal, Colombians are shaping cities and building new lives. Since then, nearly 16,500 more became permanent residents, and in 2024 alone, over 68,000 temporary visas were approved—showing both long-term settlement and strong mobility.

Permanent Residence 33,405 Colombian Permanent Residents since 2015

Rising Colombian Presence in Canada

Colombian permanent resident admissions in Canada have nearly quadrupled in the last four years, rising from 2,275 in 2019 to 8,000 in 2024. After a COVID dip in 2020, numbers surged, driven by humanitarian programs and family reunification pathways, signaling a growing and more visible Colombian presence across Canadian provinces.

Colombia: #3 for PR in Canada

Between 2015 and 2024, 33 405 Colombians obtained Canadian permanent residence, about 18% of all Latin-American approvals, ranking Colombia just behind Brazil and Mexico. Most gained status through Express Entry or provincial nominee streams, and nearly half had first arrived as international students or temporary workers.

Colombians are shaping Canada. One skill, one beam, one job at a time

At work Colombian workers since 2017

Building Canada, One Job at a Time

From 2017 to 2023, Colombians built careers in Canada through post-grad, employer-specific, and open work permits. Top opportunities were in IT, healthcare, and education—where the most popular jobs were nurses (6.5%) and teaching assistants (5.2%). These roles reflect Colombia’s growing impact in essential sectors.

Temporary Visa 67% Colombians' Temporary Visa Approval Rate

A temporary boom from Colombia

Colombians are coming to Canada in record numbers, temporary visa approvals jumped from 22,000 in 2020 to nearly 69,000 in 2024. Whether for studies, work, or family, more Colombians are choosing Canada to build their future, drawn by opportunity, stability, and a growing sense of belonging.

Processing Time

Processing times for Colombians are getting faster: just 36 days for a visitor visa, 35 for a study permit, and 56 for a work permit. That’s good news for newcomers. But inside Canada, wait times can be long, up to 233 days for work permit renewals. Planning ahead is key for a smooth journey.

Rising odds for Colombians

Colombians face one of the lowest visa approval rates in Latin America, just 66.8% between 2021 and 2024. But progress is real: approval rates rose from 55.9% in 2021 to 69.7% in 2024. As demand grows, new programs like family reunification and humanitarian pathways are opening doors to more Colombians.

Colombian workers bring talent and determination to Canada’s growing industries.

Cultural Integration #1 Colombians Learning French

Colombians Embrace French

Colombians now top the list of newcomers learning French in Quebec, with over 27,000 participants in francisation programs since 2016. Their numbers have grown more than fourfold, from 1,800 in 2016 to over 8,500 in 2024. This rise reflects not just increasing immigration, but a strong commitment to integrating into Quebec’s francophone culture and workforce.

What Our Users Are Saying

See how AskAïa has positively impacted the lives of our users, boasting a 99% success rate. Our trusted guidance makes starting a new life in Canada easy and confident.

  • Marianick

    Mexico

    “AskAïa is a game-changer. Simple steps, no language barrier. Saved time and stress. Highly recommend for a smooth immigration experience.”

  • Karina

    Colombia

    “AskAïa exceeded my expectations. It gave me clear guidance, all the answers I needed and the necessary documents ready in no time.”

  • Maria Alejandra

    Colombia

    “AskAïa was a great help to me as it rephrased and answered all those complex questions I had.”

Trusted by immigrant communities

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To find out more

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