Permanent Residency in Canada for International Students
Permanent residency in Canada for international students can be obtained through a number of provincial and federal immigration programs. This maze of options can be overwhelming to navigate. Therefore, we have prepared a set of guidelines and a table of suitable programs to help you make the right decisions.
Think About Your Plan Early
It is a commonplace that international students start researching their options for permanent residency (PR) when they are already studying in Canada. This can be late to prevent complications.
Keep in mind that each program for permanent residency has different requirements. Your ability to meet them often depends on your choice of a study program as well as the province where you study.
Review the table below for a list of suitable programs and their main requirements.
For example, an international student in Ontario, who is enrolled in a one-year diploma program, which does not require a completed degree as an admission requirement, will not be able to apply under any of the provincial programs. The minimum requirement in such situations is completion of a two-year program. Simultaneously, the same student may face problems qualifying for otherwise popular federal Canadian Experience Class program. Having only one-year post-graduate work permit, and providing that such student must still find an employment in NOC 0, A or B level, he or she may not be able to gain full 365 days of work experience, which are one of the program’s prerequisites. Our student is then left with some chance to demonstrate eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker Program or must seek immigration through programs in other provinces. This may, however, pose new challenges. Ideally, a student intending to study only a one-year program would choose a different province to pursue the studies. Review the table below for a list of suitable programs and their main requirements.
Rules for PR in Canada for International Students
In order to obtain permanent residency in Canada for international students as easily as possible, you should research the immigration programs in your province or multiple provinces of preference prior to applying for a school.
Some provinces require that applicants obtain experience and a job offer from a local employer, others facilitate international students who complete specific study programs. Some programs are open only to international graduates from that province. Others are open to anyone but international graduates from that province receive an advantage.
Often, this advantage is in the form of extra points. These extra points can make a difference between having an opportunity to apply and missing out. Review the table below for a list of suitable programs and their main requirements.
How Can an International Student Become a Permanent Resident
The answer is simple: through proper planning. Even before an international student applies for a study program in Canada, it is possible to calculate his or her chances to qualify under federal Express Entry programs such as: Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker. In addition, a plan can be drawn up, which provinces would provide the most opportunity to gain permanent residency for those who would not likely qualify under federal Express Entry programs or those who would like to have a plan B.
Table: Permanent Residency in Canada for International Students
Program
Connected to Express Enrty
Job Offer Needed
Qualifying Work Experience
Language Score Needed
Work in the Field of Study
Advantage to Work & Study in one province
Yes
No
1 year in Canada in past 3 years
CLB 7 – NOC 0 or A; CLB 5 – NOC B
No
No
No
Yes
Some experienece, minimum 6 months to gain points
No
No
Yes, extra points
British Columbia
Yes
Yes
As per qualifying Express Entry program
As per the qualifying Express Entry Program
No, offer in position that needs post-secondary education
Yes, extra points
British Columbia
No
Yes
No
N/A – NOC 0 & A
CLB 4 – NOC B
No, offer in position that needs post-secondary education
Yes, extra points
British Columbia
Yes
No
As per qualifying Express Entry program
As per the qualifying Express Entry Program
No, but degree must be in:
– agriculture
– biological and biomedical sciences
– computer and information sciences and support services
– engineering
– engineering technology
– health professions and related clinical sciences
– mathematics and statistics
– natural resources conservation and research
– physical sciences
Yes, must graduate in BC
British Columbia
No
No
No
No
No, but degree must be in:
– agriculture
– biological and biomedical sciences
– computer and information sciences and support services
– engineering
– engineering technology
– health professions and related clinical sciences
– mathematics and statistics
– natural resources conservation and research
– physical sciences
Yes, must graduate in BC
Yes
Yes
6 months
CLB 4 – NOC 0, A, B, C and D.
CLB 7 – NOC code 3413
Yes
Yes, must graduate in Alberta
No
Yes
6 months (for SK graduates off-campus work counts)
N/A – NOC 0, A & B
CLB 4 – NOC C
Yes
Yes, work experience during studies may count
Manitoba
No
Yes
6 months for MB graduates
1 year for other provinces
N/A – NOC 0, A & B
CLB 4 – NOC C & D
No
Yes, shorter qualifying work period
Manitoba
No
No
No, must complete a Mitacs internship
CLB 7
No
Yes, must graduate from Master’s or Doctoral studies in MB
No
Business Plan required
Once conditions of the business are met
CLB 7
No
Yes, must graduate in MB
No
Yes, Noc 0, A, or B
No
No
No, but must complete a two-year program or one-year program that requires completion of a degree for admission
No
Atlantic Provinces
No
Yes, CLB 0, A, B or C
No
CLB 4
No
Yes, must graduate from a school in NB, PEI, NS or NL
Nova Scotia
Yes
Yes
1 year in Canada or iternationally
CLB 7
No
Yes, extra points
Nova Scotia
Yes
No
1 year in Canada in NS
CLB 7 – NOC 0 or A
CLB 5 – NOC is B
No
No
Nova Scotia
No
No
1 year managerial experience in Canada or internationally
CLB 7
No
Yes, must complete two-year studies in NS
Yes
No
1 year in NOC 0, A or B in Canada or internationally
CLB 7
No
Yes, extra points
New Brunswick
No
Yes
1 year in NOC 0, A or B in Canada or internationally
CLB 4 – NOC C and D
No
Yes, extra points
Prince Edward Island
No
Yes
6 months in PEI
No, enough to perform the job
Yes
Yes, only PEI graduates of two-year programs