International Students: Pathway To Canadian Pr?

International students have several pathways to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Students can apply while studying in Canada or after completing their studies, provided they meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program they are applying for. Each province in Canada operates its own immigration programs, and Quebec has its own permanent residence immigration streams. One option for international students is to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows them to gain work experience and points toward earning permanent residency.

International students can apply for PR while studying in Canada

International students can apply for permanent residence (PR) while studying in Canada, or after completing their studies, provided they meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program they are applying for. Applying for a Canadian study permit and permanent residence status at the same time is known as "dual intent".

There are several pathways for international students to transition to Canadian permanent residence. One option is the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which are offered by many provinces and territories. PNPs are a popular option as applications for permanent residency are typically processed faster compared to other immigration programs. Each province's PNP has different requirements, but they often require applicants to have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary education program. Some PNPs may also require work experience and a job offer. Quebec, for example, has two main permanent residence programs with streams designed specifically for international students: the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program.

Another option for international students to obtain permanent residence is through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC allows international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) to remain in Canada after their studies and work with any employer. This work experience can help qualify individuals for Canadian permanent residence.

Additionally, international students can pursue permanent residence through the Express Entry pathway. This is a points-based system where the applicants with the most points in the immigration system are selected for PR. The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is another merit-based program that uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates. The CRS evaluates candidates based on factors such as work experience, education, and language proficiency.

International students interested in obtaining Canadian permanent residence should research the specific requirements and options available to them, as there are various pathways to achieve this goal.

Quebec has its own PR immigration streams

International students can apply for permanent residence in Canada, and there are many pathways available to them. Each of Canada's provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs are designed to benefit international students applying for permanent residence.

Quebec's two main permanent residence programs have streams designed for international students in Quebec. The first is the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), which requires students to have completed their program of study or to be within six months of completing their studies at an institution in Quebec. To qualify for PEQ, an international student must demonstrate an advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. The PEQ is a simplified fast-track process that allows international students to apply for permanent residence from within Quebec. Applications in this stream are treated on a priority basis and generally conclude in less than 12 months.

The second program is the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, which may be an option for international students in Quebec who have completed or are in the process of completing an educational credential in Quebec. Unlike the PEQ program, QSW does not have a mandatory French proficiency requirement, but candidates must meet a minimum score on the program's points assessment grid.

In addition to these Quebec-specific programs, international students in the province can also take advantage of other PNPs and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, which is one of the fastest ways to obtain Canadian permanent residence.

International students can remain in Canada after graduation to work

International students can remain in Canada to gain work experience after graduation, which can help them to qualify for permanent residence. This is known as the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and is an open work permit, meaning there are no conditions on vocation, employer, or location. The permit can last anywhere from eight months to three years, depending on the length of the academic program completed. It is important to note that not all programs offered at designated learning institutions (DLIs) are eligible for a PGWP.

There are several pathways available for international students who wish to transition to Canadian permanent residents. One option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which is a popular Canadian immigration route as applications for permanent residency are typically processed faster compared to other programs. PNPs are offered by many provinces and generally require applicants to have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary education program. Requirements can vary by province, with some requiring work experience and a job offer. Quebec, for example, has its own permanent residence immigration streams, including the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, which are designed for international students in the province.

Another option for international students to gain permanent residence is the Express Entry pathway. This is the fastest and most popular option in all provinces except Quebec and involves first setting up a profile and then submitting the permanent residence application once selected by the Canadian government. The applicants with the most points in the immigration system will be selected for permanent residence. The Express Entry pathway uses a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to rank candidates, and only those with the most competitive profiles are invited to apply.

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is another merit-based immigration program that uses the CRS scoring system. This program requires applicants to prove they have a minimum of 12 months of full-time, continuous, skilled work experience, completed in any country. For international students who have never entered the workforce, this program is not an option.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are options for PR

International students can apply for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). PNPs are a popular option for international students as applications for Canadian permanent residency are typically processed faster compared to other immigration programs. Each of Canada's provinces and territories operates its own PNPs, which are part of an economic immigration strategy. These programs usually target candidates with certain work experience or skills that respond to labour market needs. PNPs are designed to attract workers who can readily contribute to the economy and who have a high likelihood of remaining in that province. Therefore, some PNPs prioritize immigrants with experience in occupations that are in demand in that province. Other PNPs prefer immigrants with a connection to the province, such as previous work experience, a job offer, previous studies, or family, as this increases the chance that they will stay in the province.

To apply for a PNP, you must first apply to the province. Once approved, you must submit your application to the federal government, as only the federal government can grant Canadian PR. The processing time for your permanent residence application will depend on whether you submitted a 'base' or 'enhanced' PNP application. Most PNPs require applicants to have an active profile in the Express Entry pool, although some provinces issue nominations to applicants who do not have Express Entry eligibility. PNPs also usually require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to demonstrate the Canadian equivalence of an applicant's foreign credentials. Additionally, many PNPs require proof that the applicant intends to reside in their province upon being nominated.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is another option for international students to obtain permanent residence. The CEC allows international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) to remain in Canada after their studies and work with any employer. This experience can help individuals qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

Canada's point-based system for immigration

International students can apply for permanent residence in Canada and there are many pathways available to them. Each of Canada's provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These are a popular option as applications for permanent residency are typically processed faster compared to other immigration programs.

The CRS takes into account factors such as age, foreign and Canadian work experience, English and French language proficiency, and education. Points start decreasing once applicants turn 30. The system has been designed to attract younger applicants from around the world. Applicants can also get more points if they are supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a government document that shows a foreign applicant is needed to fill a particular job. They can also get 50 extra points if they have a certificate of qualification (COQ) from a province, territory, or federal body. The highest number of points an applicant gets is by getting nominated by a province. The provincial nomination program is a different stream, but it is linked to the Express Entry program. If a province decides to accept or nominate an applicant, they get about 600 additional points, which can take the applicant towards the top of the Express Entry ranking system.

Frequently asked questions