Canada Student Visa - Top Pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency

After completing studies in Canada, maximum number of recent graduates choose to apply for permanent residency. To help you out with the decision, we have outlined the keys pathways that are available for international students who wish to transition to Canada's residence permanently.

Top pathways for recent graduates towards becoming Canadian permanent residents

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)- Managed by the Federal Express Entry system, the CEC is an ideal option for international students. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility criteria, including language proficiency, age, education level and a specific requirement that you must have minimum 12-months of continuous, skilled work experience for a full-time job in Canada gained within last three years, or an equal amount of part-time work experience. Once you as a recent graduate obtain the required experience, you may qualify to apply under CEC.

*Find your eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)- This program is also managed by the Federal Express Entry system and is an excellent option for international students who have graduated. Whereas, unlike the CEC, you don't need to have Canadian work experience to qualify for FSWP, which further makes it a feasible option for those who already have minimum 12-months's of full-time skilled work experience that is gained abroad.

The FSWP is also a merit-based program where a points-based system is used, i.e. Comprehensive Ranking System. Under CRS, the profiles are assesses and automatically ranked against each other and only those candidates who are among highest ranking ones receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)- Canada’s provinces and territories have their unique immigration programs known as Provincial Nominee Programs that have different requirements and application processes.

Designed with an aim to meet provincial needs and fulfill labour market shortages, PNPs allow provinces to select and nominate eligible applicants for PR status. There are a lot of provinces which priorities applications from those individuals who have a prior connection to a province, like, previous study finished within a province, a work experience gained within a province, etc.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

A PGWP allows a student who has graduated from any Canadian designated learning institutions to get an open work permit. With this permit, you can gain relevant Canadian work experience in NOC skill level 0, A or B. It'll eventually help you qualify for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class.

In order to qualify, you must:

• Have completed a study program at a Canadian DLI (designated learning institution)
• Have pursued a study program which was for a duration of at least 8 months or longer
• Have completed a program which led to a diploma, certificate or degree
• Have maintained the status of a full-time international student in Canada during all the semesters
• Have graduated from any of the following:
  • Post-secondary public school, like a college, university, trade or technical school or Quebec's CEGEP
  • Post-secondary private school in Quebec operating under the public schools rules
  • Secondary or post-secondary Private school in Quebec offering minimum 900 hours of qualifying programs leading to an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) or diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP)
  • Private Canadian school awarding degrees as per the provincial laws like, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate or Associate degree only if you were enrolled in course leading to a province authorized degree 

To discover your chances of studying in Canada in 2022 as an international student, take our free student assessment today!