An international student’s guide to permanent residency in Canada

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, in 2019, there were approximately 642,000 international students in Canada, demonstrating the country’s position among the most desirable places to study internationally. The opportunity to gain world-class education at an economical cost in comparison to countries like the United States, United Kingdom or Australia, combined with a uniquely multicultural environment, and the potential of applying for a temporary work permit upon completion of studies, make Canada a rewarding and attractive study destination. 

Thanks to Canada’s welcoming immigration policies, many students also see this as the first step to becoming permanent residents (PRs), and eventually, Canadian citizens! In this article, we will outline a few options that international students in Canada can explore to get a head start in their PR process.

There are a few immigration programs that international students can leverage:

• Express Entry – a federal program that assigns a score to your profile and ranks it among other applicants in the pool. International students who have completed a Canadian post-secondary educational credential can gain up to 30 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Express Entry draws take place every couple of weeks, and top-ranked candidates are invited to apply for PR. You then have 60 days to submit a complete application. Typically, the timeframe for processing completed applications is six months. Within the Express Entry program, depending on your situation, you may qualify for:
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) – an employer-driven immigration program.

Notes: 

• Some of these categories require eligible Canadian work experience. If you want to work in Canada after you graduate from your studies, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP). Only graduates of certain designated learning institutions (DLIs) are eligible for PGWP. Be sure to review all eligibility criteria before applying. If you’re not eligible for a PGWP, you may still be able to work in Canada after you graduate. Learn about other work permits, and check if you qualify.
• Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. Completing an Express Entry profile does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply for PR. An invitation to apply for PR will be based on your score and ranking in the Express Entry pool using the CRS.

Understanding language and skills classification requirements

Before you learn more about specific immigration programs, here are two key terms you need to know:

1. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

The Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize the English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada or apply for citizenship. The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) is used to assess abilities in the French language.

2. National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The NOC categorizes all the jobs in the Canadian labour market according to occupation category and the skills, education, and experience required to perform those roles. The NOC classification has TEER levels that represent the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities for each occupation.

For immigration purposes, TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations (previously Skill type 0, and Skill level A and B) are considered high-skill and are eligible for skilled worker programs, such as Express Entry. On the other hand, TEER 4 and 5 (Skill level C and D) are occupations that don’t require a lot of formal education, but may need on-the-job training.

Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The CEC program is intended for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents in Canada.

Criteria to apply through CEC as an international student:

• There is no education requirement for applying through the CEC program, but you can get extra points for your Canadian education.
• Prove your language ability in either English or French by taking a recognized test.
  • CLB 7 is required if your NOC is TEER 0 or 1 (previously NOC Skill type 0 or  Skill level A) 
  • CLB 5 is required if your NOC is TEER 2 or 3 (previously Skill level B)
• Gather at least 12 months (full or part-time work, or a combination of both) of Canadian skilled work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (previously NOC 0, A or B). Work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for this program.
• Create an Express Entry profile.

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program

The FSW program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to become permanent residents in Canada.

Criteria to apply through FSW program as an international student:

• There is no education requirement for applying through the FSW program, but you can get extra points for your Canadian education.
• Prove your language ability in either English or French by taking a recognized test.
  • CLB 7 is required for all NOCs
• Gather at least 12 months (full or part-time work, or a combination of both) of continuous work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (previously NOC 0, A or B). Work experience gained while you were studying in Canada may count towards your minimum requirements if the work:
  • Was paid by wages or commissions;
  • Was continuous (no gaps in employment); and
  • Meets all the other requirements of the program.
• You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you:
  • Are currently able to legally work in Canada; OR
  • Have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada
• Create an Express Entry profile.

“If you’re attending a post-graduate program in Canada, try to find a co-op as soon as possible and work hard to be hired after your graduation. My co-op and internship helped me apply for my PGWP feeling stress-free and also gave me more time to apply for my PR.”

– Lucas Mendonca, former international student on the path to Canadian PR

Express Entry: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The PNP program is for experienced skilled workers who intend to move to a specific province and want to become permanent residents in Canada.

Criteria to apply through PNP as an international student:

• Complete your studies in Canada.
• Prove your language ability in either English or French by taking a recognized test.
  • Qualifying levels vary by province
• Gather work experience. Requirements and eligibility vary by province.
• A job offer may be required (requirements vary by province).
• Create an Express Entry profile or apply directly to the province.

Overview of PNP aimed at international students:

• Ontario: Has three streams aimed at different levels of graduates – 
  • International Student Stream (requires a job offer)
  • PhD Graduate Stream
  • Masters Graduate Stream
• Quebec: Does not require a job offer, provided the candidate has an advanced level of French. For more details, see the Quebec PEQ program (Graduate Quebec Studies Stream).
• New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island: Do not have specific streams, although they are covered under the AIP program.
• Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador also have specific international graduate streams.
• Note: The Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut do not have dedicated application streams for international students.

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The FSTP is for experienced skilled trade workers who want to become permanent residents in Canada.

Criteria to apply through FSTP as an international student:

• There is no education requirement for applying through the FSTP, but you can get extra points for your Canadian education.
• Prove your language ability in either English or French by taking a recognized test.
  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening
  • CLB 4 for reading and writing
• Gather at least two years of work experience (within the last five years) in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or 3 (previously NOC B) (major groups 72, 73, 82, 92, 632, and 633).
• An offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year OR a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority is required.
• You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you:
  • Are currently able to legally work in Canada; OR
  • Have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada
• Get assessed by the province or territory for your trade. You may also need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training. To learn more about getting assessed, you should go to the website of the body that governs trades for the province/territory where you would like to live and work. The process is different, depending on where you want to go. If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, an airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
• Create an Express Entry profile.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): International graduate stream

The AIP program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Criteria to apply through AIP as an international student:

• Complete your studies from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada. The program must have been for a duration of at least two years. And you should have graduated from this institution in the 24 months before submitting your PR application.
• You must have been a full-time student for the entire duration of your studies.
• You should have lived in an Atlantic province for at least 16 months in the two years before getting your degree, diploma or credential.
• If you have education credentials from outside Canada you want to include, you must have that education assessed.
• Prove your language ability in either English or French by taking a recognized test.
  • CLB 4 is required
• A full-time job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada for TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 (previously NOC 0, A, B, or C) is required. This offer must last at least one year from the date PR is granted and should be non-seasonal. 
• Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you get to Canada.
• You have the visa or permit required to work, study or train in Canada.

“Be aware of the PR requirements and organize all your documents from the get-go; don’t wait until you complete your graduation. Being aligned with the requisites for your application will help you avoid any mistakes and speed up the process.” 

– Lucas Mendonca, international student on the path to Canadian PR

International students not only have multiple options to apply for PR but are awarded additional points in their application for study and work in Canada, increasing the probability of securing an invitation to apply for PR sooner than other applicant categories. 

As you decide on which option would be best for you, it’s important to consider the province in which you want to settle and any restrictions that may apply to your case (for example, if you’ve graduated from a different province). If you’re uncertain or have a complex situation, you may wish to consult an authorized immigration consultant or lawyer.