How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Canada Following Your Studies

Students from other countries have several options for immigrating to Canada. These include federal pathways such as Express Entry and provincial pathways provided by the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This article will outline how to apply for permanent residency in Canada once you have completed your studies there.

While receiving permanent residency in Canada (PR) is not given to international students, they can increase their chances by giving themselves as much time as possible to be ready. Understanding the requirements for PR will enable you to take the necessary actions to accomplish your Canadian immigration goals eventually. Additionally, being proactive in your preparation gives you a higher chance to increase your competitiveness in Canada’s PR procedure.

Canada provides applicants from all economic classes with more than 100 immigration pathways. Numerous of these pathways offer benefits to applicants who have studied in Canada. According to data conducted by the government of Canada, persons with a Canadian education are more likely to succeed in the Canadian labour market.

After completing your studies, you must get work experience at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level corresponding to the skilled worker immigration pathways you want to apply for. Following is a summary of the steps you can take after completing your studies to acquire Canadian permanent residency.

Obtain Permanent Residency in Canada Requirments

Common Immigration Pathways for International Students in Canada

Most international students who complete their studies in Canada seek a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP grants international students an open work permit for any employer or field. The duration of the PGWP is proportional to the time of your studies in Canada, up to a maximum of three years.

Obtaining Canadian work experience, which might make you a more competitive candidate for Canadian immigration, is one of the most significant advantages of the PGWP—numerous immigration pathways to Canada reward candidates with Canadian work experience. If you have not yet begun your studies in Canada, you must enroll in a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that qualifies you for a PGWP.

Next, investigate Canadian immigration pathways to see which possibilities may be most appropriate for you. It is advisable to undertake this research as soon as possible so that you can guarantee you take the required procedures to qualify for these opportunities and boost the competitiveness of your candidacy.

Each PR pathway has distinct requirements, but generally speaking, you will be examined based on the degree of your English and French proficiency, education, and work experience. You may also be at an advantage if you have a suitable employment offer and depending on your ties to the province or territory in which you live. You may desire to complete a free CanadaVisa assessment to learn whether you qualify for Canadian permanent residency.

Common pathways that should be considered are as follows:

Express Entry

Express Entry is an application management system for three federal skilled worker immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The CEC could be a viable option for international students with at least one year of work experience in Canada who want to pursue permanent residency in Canada. You could also follow the FSWP if you already have at least one year of international professional work experience.

To qualify for Express Entry immigration, you must fulfill the eligibility requirements of at least one of these three programs. Then, you can upload a profile to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website (IRCC). The highest-scoring candidates are asked to apply for permanent residency. Candidates obtain Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores based on human capital criteria like age, education, language abilities, and work experience, among other factors. The Express Entry applicants with the highest CRS scores get invitations to apply for permanent residence every two weeks from IRCC. Those who get invitations have 60 days to complete and submit their applications for permanent residency to IRCC.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another well-liked permanent residency in Canada pathway for international students. In Canada, the PNP is operated by almost all provinces and territories. To gain permanent residence in a particular area or region, qualified workers can apply via the PNP. Numerous PNP streams benefit candidates who have studied and worked in Canada.

Other Economic Class PR Pathways to Be Taken Into Consideration

 Canada has more than one hundred economic class options, including several ways to reward international student applicants. Examples include:

• Atlantic Immigration Program: This is an option for those that have studied in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
• Hong Kong: Canada offers immigration pathways to Hong Kong nationals that have studied in Canada
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: This pathway offers permanent residence for international students that reside in participating rural and northern communities across Canada

 Verify your NOC skill level.

Each Canadian skilled worker immigration program has specific criteria for the type of work experience required to be qualified for that program. As you seek Canadian work experience after your education, you should ensure that you will work in an occupation that falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level that corresponds with the skilled worker immigration programs you are interested in. In general, most skilled worker streams need you to have “high-skilled” work experience. However, federal and provincial skilled worker pathways allow people with “intermediate” or “lower” professional work experience to apply for permanent residency.

Family class

Sponsoring members of one’s close family to get permanent residency in Canada is a benefit offered by the Canadian immigration system to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. For instance, if you have a spouse or common-law partner who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, they could be able to sponsor you if the two of you meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the Canadian government. If you and your spouse or common-law partner do not meet these criteria, you cannot immigrate to Canada through this pathway.

It’s important to note that obtaining permanent residence can be complex and time-consuming. It’s recommended to consult an immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for guidance on the best path for you.