Canada is a popular destination for international students pursuing higher education and building their careers. In addition to the quality of education, Canada offers opportunities for international students to become permanent residents and eventually Canadian citizens.
Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is a point-based system that allows eligible candidates to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The system considers a candidate's age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English or French. International students who have completed their studies in Canada can apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
To be eligible for the FSWP, international students must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. For the FSTP, international students must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade, and for the CEC, international students must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are programs offered by different Canadian provinces and territories that allow them to nominate candidates for permanent residency. International students who have completed their studies in Canada can apply for a PNP through the International Graduate stream.
Each province and territory has its own set of eligibility criteria, which may include having a job offer from an employer in the province, language proficiency in English or French, and a certain level of education. International students who are nominated by a province or territory are given additional points in the Express Entry system.
Student-Specific Pathways through Provincial Nomination
Several provinces offer specific provincial pathways to support entrepreneurs, including the International Graduate Entrepreneurship Category through SINP in Saskatchewan. To qualify for this pathway, individuals must be international students who are graduating from a Saskatchewan university and want to become entrepreneurs. To start the process, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). To be eligible to submit an EOI, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 21 years old
Hold a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma of at least two years from an eligible Saskatchewan institution
Have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit with at least 24 months remaining
Have resided in Saskatchewan during their academic program, without any distance-learning or accelerated academic programs
Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7
If an applicant meets these eligibility criteria and is invited to apply, they must demonstrate knowledge of their Business Establishment Plan (BEP). Similarly, the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream offered through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) allows qualified international graduates from Alberta post-secondary schools to apply for permanent residency when they wish to start or run a business in the province. To qualify for this program, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest and meet the following eligibility requirements:
Hold a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly-funded post-secondary institution after completing at least two years of full-time education
Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit issued by IRCC at the time of submitting the EOI
Achieve a minimum CLB level of 7 or an NCLC level of 7 for each English or French language skill (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), with official test results less than two years old
Establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Alberta with a minimum of 34% ownership, and ensure that the proposed business type is not on the list of ineligible businesses (though candidates are not required to establish a business in Alberta until the AAIP approves their Business Application).
If you are a student in New Brunswick, the Student Connect Stream is now open!
The New Brunswick Student Connect Stream provides an opportunity for eligible individuals to apply for permanent residency in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. To be eligible for this program, the applicant must have completed their studies in the past six months and are currently living and seeking employment in New Brunswick OR they must be a graduate student (Master's or Ph.D.) enrolled in thesis-based programs, who may apply once their thesis has been officially submitted for evaluation.
In order to be eligible, applicants must have completed a one-year degree, diploma, or certificate program.
Rural Northern Immigration Pilot Programs
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a Canadian immigration program that aims to address the labour market needs of rural and northern communities by attracting and retaining skilled foreign workers.
Participating communities include:
North Bay, Ontario
Sudbury, Ontario
Timmins, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Brandon, Manitoba
Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Claresholm, Alberta
Vernon, British Columbia
West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia
There are 4 steps to applying for permanent residence under this pilot:
Check that you meet both IRCC eligibility requirements and community-specific requirements.
Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community.
If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence.
Keep in mind that each community will also have its own:
additional eligibility requirements
job search process
community recommendation application process
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is a program that allows employers in the Atlantic provinces of Canada to hire international workers and international students who have completed their studies in Canada. The program is designed to address labor market shortages in the region.
International students who have completed their studies in Canada can apply for permanent residency through the Atlantic International Graduate Program. To be eligible, international students must have a job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces and have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in the region.
In conclusion, Canada provides various opportunities for international students to become permanent residents and ultimately Canadian citizens. The pathways mentioned in this blog post, including the Express Entry system, provincial nominee programs, entrepreneurship pathways, Rural Northern Immigration Pilot Programs, and Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, offer different eligibility requirements and application procedures that cater to different backgrounds and skill sets.
International students pursuing a permanent residency in Canada should carefully consider their options and research the various programs available. Additionally, they should make sure they meet the eligibility requirements and prepare their application materials accordingly to increase their chances of success. Becoming a permanent resident in Canada opens up a world of opportunities, including access to social services, health care, education, and the chance to fully integrate into Canadian society.
What's Next?
If you still aren't sure what pathway to choose, book our Pr and Study Consultation with one of our consultants who can assess your eligibility and advise on the best option for you.
I've been using this CRS score calculator to know my CRS score that comes 389 with IELTS score as 8,6.5, 6.5, 6.5 I am thinking of applying for Ontario Skilled trade stream but wondering when will be next draw for this stream.