How to Apply for Permanent Residence After Study in Canada

August 22, 2018 – Canada’s network of immigration programs includes a multitude of opportunities for international graduates to apply for permanent residence after study.

The international graduate provision is spearheaded by the federal Express Entry system, which includes specific points for Canadian education.

Elsewhere, the employer-driven Atlantic Immigration Pilot has a specific stream for international graduates.

Ontario, Canada’s largest province, leads the way among the provincial nominee programs, with three streams aimed at different levels of graduates, only one of them requiring a job offer.

Quebec’s international graduate stream also does not require a job offer, provided the candidate has an advanced level of French.

British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland also have specific international graduate streams.

Alberta includes a provision for international graduates under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island do not have specific streams, although they are covered under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Several of the provinces require the graduate to hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This document gives graduates a window of up to three years to gain the required work experience to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

Read on for information on the options available to apply for permanent residence after study in Canada.

Express Entry for International Students

At the federal level, the current government has made it easier for international graduates to achieve Canadian immigration by introducing points under Canada Express Entry.

In November 2016, Comprehensive Ranking System points were added for three-year post secondary, master’s, professional degrees and doctorates (30 CRS points) and post-secondary diplomas lasting one or two years (15 CRS points). No points are awarded for a Canadian high school education or below.

This gives many graduates the extra push they need to achieve a coveted Invitation to Apply.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot includes a stream specifically for international graduates.

It allows graduates with a job offer who meet requirements to immigrate to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Atlantic International Graduate Program: Requirements

• Job offer for skill NOC 0, A, B, or C for at least one year.
• Score at least a level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmark exam in English or the Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens in French.
• A minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential from a recognized publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province.
• Been a full-time student in Canada for at least two years.
• Graduated in the 12 months prior to the application date.
• Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the last two years before graduation.
• Had a visa or permit to work, study or train in Canada.
• Candidates must also complete a Settlement Plan and be provincially endorsed as part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Ontario

Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

To qualify, applicants must have:

• A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets entry wage levels for Ontario;
• Either
  • Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum two-year degree from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university; or
  • Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum one-year post-graduate diploma program from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.
• Completed at least half the studies in Canada;
• Apply within two years from the date you completed the above course.

International Student Immigration Category

PhD Graduate Stream

1. Graduated from a PhD degree program at a publicly funded Ontario university and have completed at least two years of study.
2. Intend to live and work in Ontario.
3. Must legally live in Canada if applying from within. Applications from abroad also accepted.
4. Application must be within two years of date on PhD diploma.

Masters Graduate Stream

1. Graduated from a Master’s degree program at a publicly funded Ontario university and have completed at least one-year full time.
2. Have level 7 or above English or French.
3. Lived in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
4. Have sufficient settlement funds.
5. Intend to live and work in Ontario.
6. Must either legally live in Ontario or live abroad. Applications from elsewhere in Canada will not be accepted.
7. Application must be within two years of date on master’s degree certificate.

Quebec

Conditions to qualify for the Quebec PEQ program (Graduate Quebec Studies Stream):

British Columbia

BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream for International Graduates

This category is aimed at foreign nationals who have graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions. The main requirements for candidates are:

• To have obtained an eligible degree or diploma from a Canadian post-secondary institution following a program of at least 12 months of full time studies within the two years preceding application;
• To have accepted an indeterminate full-time job offer from a B.C. Employer for an occupation under NOC Skill Levels O, A, or B. Other occupations may be considered under certain circumstances;
• Wages offered are equivalent to prevailing wages for the position in B.C.
• The candidate must have the qualifications required to perform the job offered, but no previous experience is required;
• The employer must meet certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
• The candidate must be deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.

BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream for International Post-Graduates

This program allows certain graduates of B.C. post-secondary institution to settle in the province. No job offer is required to apply in this category. Successful applicants will meet the following requirements:

• Completed an eligible Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in B.C. in a designated field of study within the two years preceding their application;
• Demonstrate their intention to settle in B.C.;
• Have the ability to become economically established in B.C.

Alberta

Alberta does not have a specific pathway to permanent residence for international students.

However, the Alberta Opportunity Stream includes a provision for graduates holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

As well as meeting other requirements, PGWP holders must:

• Have a minimum of 6 months full-time work experience in Alberta within the last 18 months.
• The work must be in an occupation related to the candidate’s studies.
• The candidate must hold an Alberta-approved credential from an Alberta-approved institution.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Experience Category: International Student Stream Sub-Category

This category is aimed at international students who have graduated from a Canadian or Saskatchewan post-secondary institution.

It is divided into two streams:

1) Students Who Have Graduated from a Saskatchewan Institute

Requirements:

• Obtained a certificate, diploma or degree from a Saskatchewan post-secondary educational institution;
• Have at least 6 consecutive months (or 960 hours) of paid employment in Saskatchewan;
• Hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit;
• Have an indeterminate full-time job offer in your field of study from a Saskatchewan employer.
  The job should be:
  • NOC A, B, or 0;
  • In a designated trade;
  • Related to your field of study and require post-secondary education.
• Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
• Demonstrate required language skills for NOC C occupations.

2) Students Who Have Graduated from an Institute in Canada

• Obtained a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian post-secondary educational institution subsequent to a program of at least 8 months of full time study;
• Hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit;
• Have at least 6 consecutive months (or 960 hours) of paid employment in Saskatchewan in a position related to your field of study;
• Have an indeterminate full-time job offer in your field of study from a Saskatchewan employer.
  The job should be:
  • NOC A, B, or 0;
  • In a designated trade;
  • Related to your field of study and require post-secondary education.
• Have a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
• Demonstrate required language skills for NOC C occupations.

Manitoba International Education Stream

The International Education Stream (IES) is dedicated to international graduates from Manitoba colleges and universities. Under IES, candidates are no longer required to work for six months in their field before applying for an MPNP nomination. It has one pathway:

a) Career Employment Pathway

The IES Career Employment Pathway will expedite nomination for international graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM subjects, with internships contributing to innovation. International graduate candidates with job offers in an In-Demand Occupation aligned with their qualification no longer have to work for six months before applying,

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Study and Stay

The Nova Scotia Study and Stay program specifically targets international students from China, India and the Philippines, providing them with support for the duration of their courses to help them develop a successful career in the province.

It does this through employment events, activities and workshops, plus career workshops and opportunities to learn in the workplace.

Nova Scotia is also part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Under the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must:

• Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
• Minimum one year of continuous experience actively managing and owning your current Nova Scotia business (100 per cent ownership).
• Have completed a degree or diploma including minimum 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study at a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College.
• Valid post-graduation work permit.
• Minimum score of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Newfoundland & Labrador International Graduate Category

This category is for recent graduates who have a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a job or job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. In order to qualify under this category, the applicant must:

• Have completed at least half of their studies in Canada and have graduated from an eligible publicly funded Canadian college or university;
• Have completed at minimum a two-year diploma or degree program, while studying on a full-time basis with opportunity for advancement;
• Have a full-time job offer in their field of study, or a related field of study, from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer;
• Have applied to the NLPNP within two years of the date on which they received their degree or diploma;
• Have legal status to work in Canada; that is to say, have a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Post-Graduate Work Permit;
• Have the qualifications, training, skills, and accreditation required for the job;
• Demonstrate the intention and ability to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Can demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to successfully establish themselves and any dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Can demonstrate sufficient English or French language capability to perform the employment duties.

Newfoundland & Labrador International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

Newfoundland officials announced the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category on July 30, 2018. Further details are expected soon. Check this for updated information.

Basic requirements:

• Open to immigrants wishing to start, join or manage a business in the province.
• Be a graduate of Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic.
• Have complete a program at least two years in length.
• Have benchmark level 7 in one of Canada’s official languages.
• Have at least one year of experience in managing or owning a business in the province.
• Candidates must establish themselves and their business on a temporary work permit, before being nominated for permanent residence after at least one year.
• There is no up-front investment requirement.

New Brunswick

There is no specific stream for international students under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program.

However, the province is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Prince Edward Island

There is no specific stream for international students under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.

However, the province is part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot